Anson’s JV and varsity volleyball teams had a disappointing senior night when both teams lost to Weddington last Tuesday.

The varsity team lost all three sets, with Weddington taking the sets 25-16, 25-12, and 25-21, respectively.

The JV team didn’t fare any better, losing both of their sets by scores of 25-12.

This loss gives the Lady Bearcats a 15-6 season.

Coaches’ thoughts

Emotions were running high during the game, both because it was senior night and because the girls missed late teammate Shaundasia Smith, who died earlier this year. A senior night poster on the gym wall was paired with a photo of Smith, and the team presented Smith’s framed jersey to her grandparents, Sheriff Landric Reid and his wife.

Immediately after the game, the team went outside to release lanterns in Smith’s memory.

Both Anson coaches Celeste Dutton and Patty Livingston said that the game was an emotional one and that the girls just didn’t play as a team.

“I don’t know if everybody was just not as focused because of all the stuff going on?” Livingston wondered, adding that the emotion may have affected the game. “They just didn’t gel tonight.”

Weddington coach Brooke Monroe also acknowledged the emotions running high that night.

“I think in tonight’s game, emotions were definitely high with senior night and this being the final week, but the team really stepped up and played together,” Monroe said.

Her team was missing one player, but her girls rose to the challenge and “filled in the gaps,” Monroe said, adding that playing at Anson’s gym on senior night meant that there were a lot of supporters for the Lady Bearcats.

“It’s a loud gym cheering their team on, and they can’t let them get in their heads,” she said. “They did a nice job really focusing and really just finishing the game and playing their game.”

Monroe named Myah Ward, the team’s captain, as an MVP, saying that Ward encourages her teammates on the court.

From left: Olivia Edwards, Hannah Knotts, Sally James and Brooke Edwards celebrated their senior night last Tuesday. A photo of their late teammate Shaundasia Smith, who died earlier this year, hung to the right of their senior night poster.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_IMG_31001.jpgFrom left: Olivia Edwards, Hannah Knotts, Sally James and Brooke Edwards celebrated their senior night last Tuesday. A photo of their late teammate Shaundasia Smith, who died earlier this year, hung to the right of their senior night poster.

Volleyball senior Hannah Knotts (No. 8) prepares to serve the ball during the team’s third set.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Volleyball-senior-night-phone-61.jpgVolleyball senior Hannah Knotts (No. 8) prepares to serve the ball during the team’s third set.

Both teams fought to land a point during last Tuesday’s game against Weddington.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Volleyball-senior-night-phone1.jpgBoth teams fought to land a point during last Tuesday’s game against Weddington.

By Imari Scarbrough

iscarbrough@civitasmedia.com

Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.