Tharptown, Belgreen volleyball teams close out campaigns in Class 2A Area 14 tournament

The Tharptown High School and Belgreen High School varsity volleyball teams both crashed out of the Class 2A Area 14 volleyball tournament, held at Mars Hill Bible School, on October 15, ending both the Lady Wildcats’ and Lady Bulldogs’ 2025 seasons.

Tharptown’s Carly Cason (4) leaps to attempt an attack against Covenant Christian School.

It was Tharptown and Covenant Christian that got the tournament started around 1 p.m. on Wednesday. As the No. 3 seed in the area, THS faced No. 2 seed Covenant Christian in the first semifinal match played at Mars Hill’s gym. THS lost in three sets 25-18, 25-10, 25-12.

In the opening set, the Lady Wildcats went up early 3-0 but the Lady Eagles responded quickly to take a 9-5 lead before THS called its first timeout. Covenant then went up 21-16 before Tharptown called its final timeout of the set, and the Lady Eagles ultimately went on to win it 25-18.

Set two was all Covenant: The Lady Eagles jumped out to an 8-4 lead to start and then extended it to 19-9 before THS took a second timeout. CCS closed out the set on a 6-1 run to win 25-10.

In the final set of the match, Tharptown fell behind 8-1 and then 14-2. Credit to THS: The Lady Wildcats didn’t quit and cut the deficit by a good margin before it was over, thanks in part to four straight service aces by Cami Jeffreys. But, in the end lost, THS lost the set 25-12.

Despite exiting in the semis of the area tournament, the Tharptown volleyball program showed improvement during this first season under head coach Lori Huffaker, as evidenced by a better area record and the team’s Franklin County Tournament championship. Things, Huffaker told the Franklin Free Press, are certainly looking up for the Lady Wildcats volleyball program.

“Today we just didn’t execute our game plan, but I’m still proud of our girls for their effort,” Huffaker said. “We made great strides this season. Not only have they initiated a resurgence in the volleyball program at Tharptown High School, they have ignited some school spirit. We had a great crowd there today, and I’m so thankful for the support from our student section and our parents! It really means a lot to our players!

“These girls have laid a great foundation and things are looking bright for the future of Tharptown volleyball. And I’m excited to see what these underclassmen can accomplish during their high school career!” she added.

Belgreen’s Lilliana Willingham (14) jumps up to block a Mars Hill attack.

Next up it was Belgreen’s turn in the semis.

Belgreen, taking on one of the top 10 teams in Class 2A in Mars Hill, gave the Lady Panthers all they wanted and more but ultimately fell 3-1. Belgreen, behind hot starts and grinding rallies, forced Mars Hill to come from behind in two of the four sets to win it.

The fourth-seeded Lady Bulldogs sent a shot across Mars Hill’s bow early by winning the back-and-forth opening set 27-25. Up 16-15, Mars Hill called a timeout after feeling the Lady Bulldogs begin to surge. But the break didn’t phase Belgreen, who continued to fight back, tie the set up, and finally earn the necessary two-point advantage to end it after a Mars Hill defensive error.

Mars Hill didn’t play around in the second set, however, easing by the Lady Bulldogs in set two 25-7.

Sets three and four were thrillers, and that’s when the regular season area champs had to come from behind to defeat Belgreen.

In set three, Belgreen had a 9-6 and then an 11-7 advantage before Mars Hill stormed back. MHBS scored five straight points to take a 12-11 lead and force a BHS timeout. After that interlude, the hosts outscored BHS again 7-1 and took a 19-12 lead prior to Belgreen calling its second timeout to try and regroup. The Lady Bulldogs continued to make it interesting but in the end lost the set 25-17.

In the fourth—and what proved to be the final set—of the match, Belgreen got off to another hot start, pulling ahead 9-4 before Mars Hill asked the referee for time to think. Belgreen maintained its lead for a while, but Mars Hill slowly clawed back a point here and a point there until it was 18-17, BHS, and the Lady Bulldogs called time.

Forty-four points into the set, it was all knotted up 22-22, but on their home court the Lady Panthers willed their way to a 3-0 run and—no doubt relieved—avoided having to play a gritty Belgreen squad in a tie-breaking fifth set.

“While our season came to an end with a tough loss in the area tournament, I couldn't be prouder of this group of girls. They’ve worked incredibly hard all year, showing resilience, heart, and dedication both on and off the court,” Belgreen head coach Alison Terry told the FFP.

“Our seniors have been exceptional leaders—not just in play, but in character. They’ve been role models to the younger players, showing kindness, setting high standards, and creating a supportive team culture that truly feels like family,” she added. “The friendships built on this team will last long after the final game, and the lessons in teamwork and perseverance will serve them well in every part of their lives.

“I genuinely love these girls, this program, and this school. Coaching them has been an honor, and I’m grateful for the journey we’ve taken together this season.”

Belgreen ended its 2025 campaign with a 22-11 overall record.

Tharptown’s Cadence Kennedy (11) digs out a Covenant Christian attack.

Tharptown’s bench celebrates a point scored late during its area tournament semifinal match vs. Covenant Christian.

Belgreen’s bench celebrates a point scored against Mars Hill in the Class 2A Area 14 tournament semifinal.

Belgreen’s Randi Terry (6) successfully digs out an attack by Mars Hill.