Andrews High School Lady Wildcat Volleyball: 2024 Season Review and 2025 Season Preview

Andrews, NC - The 2024 season for the Andrews High School Lady Wildcat volleyball team was a challenging yet formative year, marked by a mix of competitive matches and opportunities for growth. The team finished the season with a record of 5 wins and 14 losses, showcasing resilience despite facing tough opponents in the Smoky Mountain Conference.

Season Highlights

• Strong Wins Against Non-Conference Opponents: The Lady Wildcats secured convincing victories against Nantahala (3-0), Blue Ridge Early College (3-0), and Hiwassee Dam (3-1), demonstrating their ability to dominate when playing at their best. Their 3-1 win over Union County on September 12 was a standout moment, showing their potential to compete against teams that had previously defeated them.

• Competitive Matches: The team showed fight in several close matches, including a 3-2 loss to Murphy on October 3, indicating their ability to challenge strong conference opponents. Their 3-1 victory over Highlands on September 17 was another highlight, reversing an earlier loss to the same team.

• Areas for Improvement: The Lady Wildcats struggled against conference rivals, going 0-9 against Smoky Mountain Conference teams. Losses to Cherokee, Robbinsville, Hayesville, and Swain County highlighted the need for greater consistency and strategic adjustments in high-stakes matches. The team also faced difficulties on the road, with only two away wins all season.

Key Takeaways

The 2024 season was a learning experience for the Lady Wildcats, who faced a tough schedule with several conference powerhouses. The team’s ability to secure wins against non-conference opponents and show improvement in rematches (e.g., against Highlands and Union County) suggests a squad with potential for growth. However, the season underscored the need for improved performance in conference play and better preparation for road games. The experience gained by returning players will be crucial as they look to build on this season’s foundation.

2025 Season Preview

The 2025 season offers a fresh start for the Andrews High School Lady Wildcats, with a schedule that balances challenging conference matchups and winnable non-conference games. The team will aim to leverage their experience from 2024 to improve their standing in the Smoky Mountain Conference and beyond.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Early Tests Against Highlands (August 19 and 21): The Lady Wildcats open the season with a home-and-away series against Highlands, a team they split with in 2024 (1-1). These matches will set the tone for the season and provide an early gauge of the team’s progress.

• Conference Challenges: Games against Robbinsville (August 28 and September 23), Swain County (September 9 and October 2), and Hayesville (September 11 and October 7) will be critical. These teams dominated Andrews in 2024, and the Lady Wildcats will need to bring their A-game to compete in these Smoky Mountain Conference matchups.

• Winnable Opportunities: Matches against Summit Charter (August 12), Blue Ridge Early College (September 2), and Hiwassee Dam (September 25) present opportunities for the Lady Wildcats to build confidence. Last season’s success against Blue Ridge Early College and Hiwassee Dam suggests these could be key wins.

• Tough Road Games: The schedule includes several away games, including against Smoky Mountain (September 29) and Murphy (September 30). Improving their road performance will be essential for a successful season.

Outlook

With a mix of returning players and new talent, the Lady Wildcats have an opportunity to improve on their 2024 performance. The team’s focus will likely be on strengthening their conference play, where they struggled last season. Developing consistency, improving defensive strategies, and capitalizing on home-court advantage will be key to turning close losses into wins. The early-season matchups against Highlands and the non-conference games provide a chance to build momentum before diving into the heart of the conference schedule.

Final Thoughts

The 2024 season was a testament to the Lady Wildcats’ resilience, as they battled through a tough schedule and showed flashes of brilliance. With the 2025 season on the horizon, the team has a chance to apply the lessons learned and make a stronger push in the Smoky Mountain Conference. Fans can look forward to an exciting season as the Lady Wildcats aim to turn potential into results.