The Chargers were swept 3-0 in their final match of the season Friday, Oct. 17, but remain hopeful for next year.
The afternoon began with sophomore Vanessa Johnson being honored for Sophomore Day. She is a health science major and hopes to continue her coaching pursuits fostered through the club beach volleyball program.
Emma Goodson, defensive specialist and libero, listens as a teammate shares strategies.
The match began with the Chargers winning the first serve with Emma Goodson. Toccoa Falls scored the first five points, forcing a timeout.
Toccoa Falls went on a six-point run interrupted only by their own error. Sophia Senegal ended another six-point streak with a kill, making it 13-3.
An error by the Chargers made it 14-3, and Toccoa Falls added six more points before Senegal scored again at 20-4. Toccoa Falls reached set point with a four-point run, but Senegal made another kill at 24-6. A Toccoa Falls error made it 24-7, but they closed the set 25-7.
Set two started with Toccoa Falls scoring the first 12 points. The Chargers called a timeout to slow the momentum.
Toccoa Falls then scored 14 straight points until Abby Farr made a kill to put the Chargers on the board at 16-1. An error gave the Chargers a second point at 17-2.
Sophia Senegal (left), setter and defensive specialist; Vanessa Johnson (middle), middle blocker; and Erin Davis (right), defensive specialist block a ball from the opposing team.
A point restart at 20 caused by the side judge running into the net briefly paused play, but Highlands recovered to make it 17-3. The teams traded points until 20-5, and Toccoa Falls reached set point on a failed dig. An error made it 24-6, and Toccoa Falls closed the set 25-6.
The third set started well for the Chargers with a service ace by Alivia Fannin. The teams traded points, including two kills by Senegal, until the Chargers led 6-7.
A block by Erin Davis and a play by Vanessa Johnson tied it at 11-11. An attack error gave the Chargers the lead at 11-12, forcing a timeout by Toccoa Falls.
The teams continued trading points with kills by Senegal and Davis until the Chargers lost the lead at 18-17 and called a timeout.
The Chargers tried to mount a comeback with a Johnson kill and an opponent error, but Toccoa Falls closed the set 25-20 to complete the sweep.
After the match, Coach Buddy Gallemore was blunt but hopeful.
“It’s difficult playing against the same team in one week. I think we’re not battling the other team right now. We’re battling ourselves. It’s just a mental thing. They fought, they never quit, and that’s one thing they’ve done all season. It’s never been about the other team. It’s just been us getting better every day,” Gallemore said.
Gallemore noted key moments from the season.
“Tonight we learned how to flush those mistakes from the first two sets and the season. It’s been a tough season for everybody, but I wouldn’t trade it. We’ve got to go through these as a first-year program and just look to get better next year,” he said.
Regarding next season, Gallemore said he is approaching it with patience but looks forward to improvement.
“How am I going to decompress this off season? By recruiting,” Gallemore said.
