Andy Scheidler
sports@thefranklinpress.com
Big team, little me.
Franklin volleyball coach Bekah Brooks has repeated that saying countless times this season. However, the Panthers sometimes forget to relax and have confidence in their teammates to get the job done.
Brooks had to reiterate that team mentality during Saturday’s state playoff match against Draughn.
“Sometimes I think they want it too bad that they don’t let it work the way it’s worked all year,” Brooks said. “So I do think they were trying too hard individually to make things happens instead of being about the team. I expressed that after the second game.”
FHS won the first set 25-16, but lost the second 19-25. Draughn led 8-4 early in the third set, before the Panthers started to gain control of the match. They won the third 25-22, then dominated the fourth.
Tied 4-4 early in that set, Franklin won 21 of the next 25 points to take it 25-8.
“Big team, little me,” Brooks said. “I think they caught on. They did that. The fourth set was unbelievable.”
The victory was especially significant because it was Franklin’s first 2-A NCHSAA playoff victory after six straight years of coming up empty.
Franklin’s last playoff win came in 2012 – its final year of competing in 3-A.
“Huge,” Brooks said when asked about the significance of the win. “I preached it: ‘We need to break that tradition of losing in the first round. How bad do you want it? Want to fall along with everyone else or be different and stand out?’ They did it.
“My No. 1 goal was to win a playoff game and/or to be playing on Halloween. If we’re there, I’m in heaven.”
The No. 10 Panthers were slated to play Tuesday evening at No. 7 Forbush. The winner will play Thursday against either No. 2 Brevard or No. 15 Central Davidson.
Alison Knop slammed 16 kills to lead the Panthers’ attack, while Taylor Ensley added 14.
Maitlyn Rewis tied a career high with 13 kills, which she set in the conference tournament against Hendersonville.
Canaan Drake smacked seven kills and had three blocks.
Leading the way in digs were Rhiley Bryson (35), Taylor Carlton (20), Adiranne Duvall (18), Kiara Dewey (17) and Amy Tippett (15).
Adrianne Duvall dished out 49 assists.
Draughn played solid defense and managed to get digs and keep rallies alive. The Wildcats (15-11) played in the same conference at No. 1 seed Fred T. Foard.
The Panthers improved to 19-6 with the win, including 12-2 at home.
They’re one victory from reaching 20 wins for the first time since 2011.
“Super proud of them,” Brooks said. “Great crowd tonight. That helped. At times when you feel like you’re a little lost, people are there fighting for you.”