The McMinn County Lady Cherokees finished their regular season with a four-set loss to Walker Valley in District 5-AAA play. Despite a promising stretch of dominance, the team couldn’t maintain that level of play. Head coach Renee Stinson believes they still have the tools to compete at a high level.
Lady Cherokees fall in four sets to Walker Valley to end regular season

Key Takeaways:
- McMinn County lost in four sets to Walker Valley.
- This match marked the end of the Lady Cherokees’ regular season.
- Head coach Renee Stinson noted one strong set as a sign of the team’s potential.
- The match took place within District 5-AAA competition.
- The outcome points to both lessons learned and optimism for the future.
Opening Overview
The regular season ended on a challenging note for the McMinn County Lady Cherokees, who fell in four sets to Walker Valley. The tension was palpable throughout the match, as the team fought to close out their schedule on a high. The loss brought their regular season to a definitive close.
A Glimmer of High-Level Play
Despite the final result, head coach Renee Stinson pointed to one particular set where the Lady Cherokees excelled. “For one set, we played the kind of volleyball that can compete with and perhaps beat other District 5-AAA opponents,” she said. That glimpse of high-level play underscored the team’s untapped potential.
District 5-AAA Implications
This match was more than just a season finale—it was a yardstick for the level of competition within District 5-AAA. Walker Valley’s victory demonstrated the kind of consistent performance required to succeed in a region known for strong volleyball programs. Still, McMinn County’s standout play in one set revealed that the gap might not be as wide as the final score suggests.
Looking Ahead
Even though the Lady Cherokees ended the season with a defeat, the pulse of promise resonates for the program. The coach’s faith in the team’s potential suggests that lessons learned from this match could fuel improvement in the future. As the Lady Cherokees move beyond the regular season, they carry forward the confidence built from that single strong set, eager to transform it into consistent success.