Any time a program makes its debut, growing pains can be expected.

Rarely does a program make a statement and immediately showcase a competitive edge from the very beginning.

That’s just what the Cascade Lady Champions did on Monday night in the program’s first-ever match.

In front of a home crowd against Fayetteville City, the Lady Champions put forth a grit and determination that nearly led to the upset.

In a fifth-set tiebreaker, the Lady Tigers were able to outlast Cascade and escape Wartrace with a 3-2 win.

“I am very proud of both the JV and varsity teams. JV won in three (sets) and because of them, we will be able to say the first volleyball game to ever be played at Cascade High School went under the W column. Although varsity didn’t finish with the outcome we wanted, they fought till the very last possible point,” Cascade coach Kendall Hampton said.

In the match’s first set, Cascade made it known the Lady Champions are able to not only compete, but win, claiming the first set in a 25-21 win.

Fayetteville evened the match in Set 2, edging out a 28-26 win.

The Lady Tigers eventually took a 2-1 lead with a 25-16 Set 3 victory—the most lopsided of the match.

Cascade responded and forced a the fifth-set tiebreaker, beating Fayetteville 25-20 in Set 4.

Hoping to make history with a Set 5 thriller, Cascade was able to keep the match close, but Fayetteville was able to pull away for the final 15-13 set victory.

“They definitely exceeded my expectations like always. I really thought thier nerves were going to get the best of them in the first match, but they stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park,” Hampton said.

“It was a great way to kick off our season, and we had a great crowd so I know they all felt supported by the Cascade Community.”

Caroline McKamey gave Cascade a huge boost in the first-ever match, recording four aces and seven kills.

Cenzie McAnally added three aces and three kills as well.

Cascade has another tall order to fill on Thursday night and will face cross-county rival Community at 6 p.m.

Fayetteville 3, Cascade 2

Set scores: 21-25, 28-26, 25-16, 20-25, 13-15

Ashley Cope 1 ace, 2 digs, 1 kill

Addison Pope 2 aces, 4 digs

Caroline McKamey 4 aces, 2 digs, 7 kills

Hayden Jones 3 assists, 1 block

Sarah Hope Maddox 2 aces

Abrielle Presley 3 blocks

Cenzie McAnally 3 aces, 3 kills

Briana Horn 2 aces, 1 kill, 1 block

Nisa Holes 1 ace