Lady Eagles Gear Up For Volleyball

Cherokee County - The Hiwassee Dam Lady Eagles varsity volleyball team completed the 2024-25 season with an overall record of 10 wins and 13 losses, achieving a win percentage of 0.435. In conference play, they excelled, finishing with a 4-1 record and securing 1st place in their conference. The team played 12 home games, winning 7 and losing 5, and 11 away games, winning 3 and losing 8, with no neutral-site games recorded. They recorded 33 sets won and 43 sets lost, ending the season with a single-game losing streak. The team participated in the 2024 NCHSAA Volleyball Championships in the 1A division.

Key match results include:

• October 24, 2024: Lost to Christ the King High School, 0-3 (Tournament Game, 2024 NCHSAA Volleyball Championships 1A).

• October 22, 2024: Won against Murphy High School, 3-1 (Tournament Game, 2024 NCHSAA Volleyball Championships 1A).

• October 16, 2024: Won against Highlands High School, 3-1.

• October 7, 2024: Lost to Swain County High School, 0-3.

• October 3, 2024: Won against Highlands High School, 3-0.

• September 26, 2024: Won against Nantahala High School, score not provided (recorded as 0-0).

• September 19, 2024: Won against Union County High School, 3-2.

• September 17, 2024: Lost to Cherokee High School, 0-3.

• September 16, 2024: Won against Murphy High School, 3-2.

• September 12, 2024: Lost to Robbinsville High School, 0-3.

Now, the Lady Eagles volleyball team is gearing up for the 2025-26 season with a challenging schedule that includes 14 matches, 10 of which are conference games within the Little Smoky Mountain 1A conference. The season features a mix of home and away games against familiar rivals and non-conference opponents, providing opportunities to build on their 2024-25 performance, where they achieved a 10-13 overall record and a strong 4-1 conference record, securing 1st place in their conference.

Key Matchups and Schedule Highlights

• Season Opener (August 12, 2025): The Lady Eagles kick off the season on the road against Swain County High School, a conference rival. Last season, they lost to Swain County 0-3, making this a critical early test.

• Rivalry Games: The team faces Murphy High School twice (August 18 away, September 9 home), a team they defeated 3-2 last season. These matches are expected to be competitive, given the local rivalry.

• Conference Clashes: The Lady Eagles will play Hayesville (August 21 away, September 15 home), Blue Ridge Early College (September 16 away, October 2 home), Summit Charter (September 11 home, September 30 away), Andrews (September 25 home), and Highlands (October 7 home). Last season, they split with Hayesville (0-3 loss, 3-0 win), swept Blue Ridge Early College, and lost to Highlands 0-3, but won 3-1 in a later matchup.

• Season Finale (October 7, 2025): The regular season concludes at home against Highlands, a team that has been a tough opponent in recent years, including a 2022 incident where a transgendered Highlands player's spike caused a concussion to a Lady Eagles player, leading to controversy and forfeitures by Cherokee County schools and a national news story.

Season Outlook

Coming off a successful 2024-25 conference season, the Lady Eagles aim to maintain their dominance in the Little Smoky Mountain 1A conference while improving their overall record. With five home conference games and five away, the team has a balanced schedule to showcase their growth. The early season stretch, with four games in August, will set the tone, particularly the back-to-back rivalry matches against Swain County and Murphy. The team's ability to handle strong opponents like Highlands, who have historically posed challenges, will be crucial for playoff positioning.

Strategic Considerations

• Strengthening Defense: Last season’s 33 sets won and 43 sets lost suggest a need to bolster defensive consistency, especially against teams like Swain County and Robbinsville, who swept them in 2024-25.

• Leveraging Home Advantage: With seven home games, including key conference matchups, the Lady Eagles can capitalize on home support to secure wins.

  
  

The Hiwassee Dam Lady Eagles are poised for a competitive season, with a schedule that tests their resilience and offers opportunities to solidify their position as conference leaders.