Cherokee high school volleyball advances to fourth round of playoffs for first time
Four years ago, Cherokee volleyball went 0-13. On Thursday, the No. 4 seed Braves made history when they clinched a spot in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 1A playoffs by beating No. 5 Uwharrie Charter 3-1.
It is the furthest the program has advanced in the postseason.
“So this program, these girls have completely changed,” coach Pam Bryant said. “It’s a culture now. And it means everything for these girls, for these seniors and for Braves nation.”
After their winless season, the Braves went 3-11 and lost in the first round of the playoffs. In 2022, they finished 17-10 and advanced to the second round.
This season they were 19-3 in the regular season, and went 10-0 in Smoky Mountain Conference play. The three losses came against some of WNC’s best teams — Franklin, Brevard and West Henderson, all of which are one or two classes above Cherokee.
Sophomore libero Dvdaya Swimmer said Bryant has been the difference.
“We’re not a big volleyball school,” Swimmer said. “But since Pam has came here, she’s really helped us develop in the volleyball game and made us all really love it.”
ON THE BRINK OF HISTORY: How tandem of Zion Fauntleroy-McDaniel, Mason Gasperson has North Henderson on brink of best season
Specifically, Coco Wells said, the team is much closer this season. A team trip during the summer to a University of Texas volleyball camp is a big reason why.
“Because we went and not even us playing volleyball made us closer,” Wells said. “It’s just us being in the dorms together and everything made us closer.”
Cherokee defeated Uwharrie Charter (19-6, 9-3 Piedmont Athletic) by grabbing the first two sets 25-16 and 25-17. The Braves lost the third set, but bounced back in the fourth, winning 25-19.
“They executed everything that we have talked about in practice,” Bryant said. “They had worked. They had a great practice yesterday.”
She said the team had the mentality of playing to win instead of losing and avoiding elimination. The Braves were led by strong performances from Wells, Swimmer, freshman middle hitter Joscelyn Stamper, junior middle hitter Alexis Davis and freshman outside hitter Arden Arkansas.
HAVING THE RIGHT CHEMISTRY: Mountain Heritage's young defense is contending for a title with years of chemistry
The road to a potential state championship appearance now hits top-seeded Polk County on Saturday for a trip to the regional finals.
“Don’t give up on each other,” Bryant said about the key to keep advancing. “And just keep playing as a team.”
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Cherokee volleyball advances to 4th round of playoffs for first time
