Lady Panthers End the Night on a High Note

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — The Union County High School varsity volleyball team showcased their resilience and skill in a pair of non-conference matches Thursday, falling 2-1 to Pickens (Jasper, GA) before rebounding with a commanding 2-0 sweep over Woodland (Cartersville, GA).

In the first match, Union County (Blairsville, GA) battled Pickens in a thrilling three-set contest. The Panthers dropped the first set 25-23, rallied to take the second 25-21, but fell 15-11 in the decisive third set, resulting in a 2-1 loss. Juniors Sofia Foster and Emry Sosensky led the attack with nine kills each, boasting hitting percentages of .444 and .294, respectively. Senior Reese Jones added six kills, and junior Austin Beal contributed four. Freshman Kamryn Brown orchestrated the offense with 30 assists, while Sosensky anchored the defense with 10 digs and junior Blaire Hedden added eight. The team recorded 38 digs and three blocks, with Foster, Beal, and senior Mady Adams each tallying two blocks. Despite their balanced effort, Union County couldn’t overcome Pickens’ late surge.

Later, Union County bounced back emphatically against Woodland in a neutral-site match, cruising to a 2-0 victory with set scores of 25-12 and 25-13. The Panthers’ offense was firing on all cylinders, amassing 27 kills. Foster led with six kills at a .417 hitting percentage, while Sosensky added four at .400. Beal delivered four kills, and Adams chipped in three with a .375 hitting percentage. Brown continued her stellar playmaking, dishing out 22 assists. Defensively, Sosensky shone with 10 digs, supported by five each from sophomore Samantha Combs and senior Jordan Beavers. The Panthers served seven aces, with Brown leading the way with five at a 92.9% serving percentage and maintained an 87.8% team serving percentage.

Union County’s ability to regroup after the Pickens loss highlighted their depth and determination. The sweep over Woodland showcased their offensive efficiency and defensive prowess, setting a strong tone for future matches. The Lady Panthers now turn their attention to Saturday, Sept. 20 when they will face Loganville Christian Academy and Lumpkin County as part of the Big Red Rally at Gainsville High School.