Someone’s winning streak had to end.
Unfortunately for the visiting Franklin Panthers, their seven-match streak was busted Tuesday at Brevard.
The Blue Devils won their 14th straight match to likely seal a Mountain Six Conference title.
The Panthers came into the match playing with confidence; winning tends to do that. Coach Bekah Brooks felt the Panthers played scared in their first meeting with Brevard, and she wanted them to play with nothing to lose.
“We did not play scared, so that was a positive,” Brooks said. “We played well. But we did not serve-receive well. We struggled a little bit, and against a good team that’s gonna hurt you.”
Brevard won the match 25-15, 25-17, 25-20.
The Blue Devils improved to 17-4 overall and 7-0 in the MSC. The Panthers dropped to 13-5 overall and 5-2 in the MSC.
It was a matchup of the top teams in the conference, and two top-10 ranked teams. Brevard is No. 3 and Franklin No. 7 in the 2-A MaxPreps rankings.
Brooks told the Panthers that playing a highly-ranked team will help prepare them for the state playoffs.
But before then, she hopes to get a third shot at Brevard, which would be on Franklin’s home floor in the finals of the MSC tournament.
“We’re seeing what the top is,” Brooks said. “Hopefully we get another shot at them. I’d love to play them again, with a chance do something different, on our home floor.”
Tuesday’s match in Transylvania County was played in a non-air conditioned gym. Abnormally warm weather made for an extra hot and sweaty atmosphere, but Brooks said the Panthers did a good job of playing without complaining.
Kills leaders in the match were Taylor Ensley (seven), Alison Knop (six), Sydney Williams (five) and Maitlyn Rewis (four).
Williams is a sophomore who Brooks moved up from junior varsity recently to provide a net presence.
“She’s done really well,” Brooks said. “I’ve been proud of her.”
Rewis returned Monday from an ankle injury.
“She did a great job responding back,” Brooks said.
Digs leaders were Kiara Dewey (13), Rhiley Bryson (nine) and Amy Tippett (eight).
Adrianne Duvall had 22 assists.
The Panthers had seven serve-receive errors. It was something they worked on Wednesday during practice, along with setting up blocks quicker.
The Panthers were scheduled to travel to East Henderson, which is ranked third in the MSC standings, before wrapping up regular season action with three home matches next week.
They’ll play North Buncombe on Monday in nonconference action; Pisgah comes to the Panther Den on Tuesday for Pink Night; and Smoky Mountain visits Thursday on Senior Night.