Mills River – West Henderson beat A.C. Reynolds in volleyball last week in a power barrage that showed the Lady Falcons can make another deep playoff run.
West was unbeaten at 12-0 to win the Mountain Seven crown in 2021, was 21-5 overall, and reached round three of the 3A playoffs. The Falcons (10-2) and Franklin (7-0) are both off to 3-0 starts in M7 matches thus far. North Henderson (6-3-1; 2-1 M7) is next. East Henderson is still looking for its first win after playing West Tennessee at home on Aug. 30.
Hendersonville (2-3; 1-1) is in the middle of the Mountain Foothill Seven standings. Hailey Cook coaches the Lady Bearcats. Last season they were 13-9, including 9-4 as MF7 runners-up. Top HHS hitters in ‘22 are seniors Lola Sultenfuss (61) and S.J. Shaffer (33).
T.C. Roberson (8-3) is 1-1 in the MAC, as are Enka (4-1) and Reynolds (4-2). Asheville (4-0) opened its MAC season by hosting Erwin Tuesday and ACR Wednesday, and is at TCR Sept. 13.
A year ago, Roberson was 20-2 and 12-0 in the MAC. Enka (18-6; 10-2) was next, then North Buncombe (14-6; 7-5) with ‘22 grad Karlyn Pickens, AHS (8-9; 6-6), ACR (8-12; 5-7), and Erwin and McDowell, both 1-11.
West Beats’ ‘ACR’
Head coach Tiffany Lowrance is on pace to reach 300 career wins at home on Monday, Sept. 12 versus Hendersonville. She commended the team’s “energy” and how subs widened a set’s lead against East.
West defeated tenacious Reynolds at home on Aug. 31 by scores of 25-15, 25-15, and 25-20. The Tall Lady Falcons relentlessly slammed the ball. Their leading hitters are super leaping sophomores Emma Bryson (121 kills) and Isabella Baylor (109), seniors Carley Raleigh (73), Payton Brown, and Jen McNamara, and junior Emily Delaney. Setters Raleigh, Melea Humiston, and Kylee Haynes are among the assist leaders.
Middle blocker Bryson made 229 kills, 82 blocks and 37 aces as a freshman. Ben Bryson, a recent Falcons star point guard, was coached by their father, Joey Bryson. Joey lit up scoreboards as a Falcon in the mid-Nineties. Emma grew three inches to 6-feet-2. Emma soared above the net for slams versus Reynolds. She said Falcons “built trust” with each other for a passer to know the hitter will get to the ball and deliver a hard shot.
Twins, Eagles
Payton Brown and her twin sister, Olivia Brown, of East Henderson, were on opposite sides of the net Aug. 30. The East fared well, pulling to 23-21 in the opening set. West prevailed 25-21, took the second set 25-14, and pulled away from a 17-all tie to win the third, 25-17.
Payton said she purposely served her sister seven times, and Olivia returned each one. Olivia said she was “very pumped up” about facing Payton and the Falcons. “It was so exciting!”
Lauren Ashe teaches East. She gave birth to her third child two weeks ago. Assistant Devin Gordon filled in. He said Eagle energy was “up,” then seemingly “drained” after losing the close opening set.
East’s top returning hitters are seniors Mollie Moore, Olivia Brown, Emeli Castillo, Caden Gibbs, and Tirzah Campbell, and junior Emily Gonzalez. Brown, Moore, and junior Ashland Palmer pace the Lady Eagles in ‘22.
Veteran Knights
North Henderson hosts West on Sept. 20 in a clash that may decide the M7 title. The West swept their first meeting. NHHS has a hallowed head coach in Sue Moon and several proven hitters. A pair registered more than 325 kills as sophomores last fall. Peyton Taylor is the reigning M7 player of the year. She made 329 slams and 219 “digs” (retrievals) last season. She had 48 blocks and served 31 aces.
Bailey Rowe had nearly identical power stats with 330 kills and 218 digs. She served 59 aces and had 31 blocks as a middle and outside hitter. Rowe and senior Ty Case both have more than 85 kills in ‘22, and Taylor has 63. Setter Brittany Knox had nearly 900 assists, 76 aces and 161 digs. Lily Marsh, also a senior, had 240 digs, 51 aces, 130 kills and 30 assists. Other senior leadership comes from Lexie Gunter, among others.
MAC Attackers
Reynolds hosts Roberson on Sept. 20 in a showdown. Graduated are Mackenzie Lynch and her whopping 441 kills in ‘21 and volleyball first team all-America Emerson Hoyle, who is now a Florida Gator.
Coach Michelle Wagaman returns with Karlie Henning (215 kills in ‘21), Amelia Novak (123), Tymber Thompson (87) and Emma Youngblood. Henning, like West’s Bryson, is a super leaper who out-hit taller foes as a freshman last fall. She is agile and made 200 digs to go with 215 kills, 41 aces and 21 blocks in ‘21.
Reynolds is coached by Bonnie Dotson. Halle Skibo, who was a star in ‘21, is now at Iowa. Slam leaders include seniors Kellyn Henretta, Landyn Stewart, Hope Buckner, and Jazmyne Parker, and junior Ryanne Dotson.
Reynolds was tremendous defensively and returned West shot after shot. “We’re defense first. We keep the ball in play, “Coach Dotson said. Keira Caulder, Alysa Norman, Dotson, Delaney Brown, and Henretta pace ACR in digs.
The Lady Rockets are ultra enthusiastic — even when they are down many points. Henretta said teammates emotionally lift each other. Ryanne Dotson said it is crucial to “not dwell” on mistakes to avoid slumps.
Owen (4-3) is 2-1 in Western Highlands action, after tying for third last fall at 7-5. Coach Kristy Kamer’s crew features seniors Maesyn Gardner (158 kills in ’21), Cole Christian, and Addison Bartlett (238 digs, 362 assists).