Panther volleyball has earned their first conference win.
After winning their first two matches of the year at Hayesville and Enka, on the week of Aug. 18 Franklin continued their early-season road trip, traveling to King’s Mountain and to Mountain Eight foe East Henderson. Despite a tough loss to a talented Mountaineer squad, a blowout win over East improved Franklin’s record to 3-1.
On Tuesday, Aug. 19, the Panthers traveled to King’s Mountain for a nonconference match with the Mountaineers. Versus last year’s 3A state quarterfinalists Franklin held their own early, tying the first set at 15 behind five points from Finley Moffitt. From there they slowly pulled ahead, getting four points from Ella Raby to win 25-21.
Both teams stayed neck-and-neck to start the second, sitting tied at 12 after six points from Audrey Pressley. This time King’s Mountain returned the favor however, claiming 13 of the last 19 points to win 25-18.
The Mountaineers stayed hot into the third, winning eight of the first 11 and 20 of the first 30 points. Despite six more points from Pressley and strong defense from Bristol Brooks, King’s Mountain won 25-17.
Franklin refused to go quietly in the fourth, trailing just 14-13 after five kills from Pressley. King’s Mountain held firm however, going on to win their all-important third set 25-18.
Two nights later the Panthers traveled to East Flat Rock to face the Eagles. After a N.C. High School Athletic Association realignment earlier this year, which added Brevard to the former Mountain Seven, the match was Franklin’s first-ever Mountain Eight contest in any sport.
Franklin came out firing to start the match, taking a commanding 19-8 lead behind six points from Raby. Pressley added four kills to win the first set 25-12.
East regrouped to start the second, tying the set 8-8 despite two kills from Emma Hatch. Franklin kept their foot on the gas however, getting three aces from Lass Ward including one on set point to win 25-17.
Pressley turned red-hot to start the third, scoring six of its first 10 points to give her team an 8-2 lead. Franklin kept rolling from there, getting points from six different Panthers for a 25-13 win.
After dispatching East, Franklin prepared for their first home match, hosting Asheville School in a nonconference clash Aug. 25.