Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Tigers win
One good comeback just wasn’t enough for Bentonville High’s volleyball team. Fayetteville had game point on two occasions Tuesday night, only to have the Lady Tigers rally both times and claim a 3-1 victory during 6A-West Conference action in Tiger Arena. “Having one comeback in a night is a pretty big deal,” Bentonville coach Michelle Smith said after the 26-24, 25-9, 22-25, 26-24 win. “Having two comebacks in the same game — being down with the other team having game point — shows maturity from our younger players and having them control their emotions, slow things down and focus when it counts the most.”
BENTONVILLE — One good comeback just wasn’t enough for Bentonville High’s volleyball team.
Fayetteville had game point on two occasions Tuesday night, only to have the Lady Tigers rally both times and claim a 3-1 victory during 6A-West Conference action in Tiger Arena.
“Having one comeback in a night is a pretty big deal,” Bentonville coach Michelle Smith said after the 26-24, 25-9, 22-25, 26-24 win. “Having two comebacks in the same game — being down with the other team having game point — shows maturity from our younger players and having them control their emotions, slow things down and focus when it counts the most.”
Fayetteville (5-8, 2-2) had a 24-21 lead in the first set but committed three straight errors that allowed Bentonville (5-8, 3-1) to pull into a tie. Maddie Breed then put the Lady Tigers ahead with a block, and Savanna Riney followed with an ace to give the Lady Tigers the win.
It was a 24-19 Fayetteville lead in the fourth set after the Lady Purple’Dogs had run off four straight points, but Fayetteville had three errant swings to help Bentonville close the gap. Riney delivered the kill that forced the 24-24 tie, then Taylor Shapley’s kill put the Lady Tigers ahead before Riley Robbe and Isabelle Santone combined for the match-clinching block.
“We were right there in Game One and Game Four,” Fayetteville coach Jessica Phelan said. “I think it was one of those nights when we had composure, lost composure, then regained composure. You expect that a little bit with a young team on the road, but the bottom line is we have to grow from that and move on.”
The win gives Bentonville a share of a four-team logjam for first place in the league standings, while Fayetteville is just one match behind.
“Wins are good, and wins feel great,” Smith said. “But it’s still early. We still have a lot of room to grow, and I can’t wait to see what this team does.”
SPRINGDALE HAR-BER 3, BENTONVILLE WEST 0
Jayci Carpenter put down 11 kills to lead the Lady Wildcats to a 25-20, 25-20, 25-17 win over Bentonville West.
Har-Ber (9-4, 3-1) now has a share of first place in the 6A-West with the win. Molly Kingston contributed 17 digs and three aces, while setter Lauren Cloud added 16 assists, 12 digs and two aces. Emerson Traweek had 11 kills and Winnie Spurlock had 11 assists for West (8-5, 3-1).
VAN BUREN 3, ROGERS HERITAGE 0
Alex Dupree put down eight kills to lead the Lady Pointers to a 25-4, 25-16, 25-6 win over Rogers Heritage.
Grace Dolittle and Madalyn Doolittle added seven kills each for Van Buren, which improved to 7-4 overall and 3-1 in the 6A-West and is now tied for first place. Micelle Porter also dished out 23 assists.
ROGERS HIGH 3, SPRINGDALE HIGH 0
Freshman Ryley Martin finished with a matchhigh seven kills and Anna Randels added six to lead the Lady Mounties to their first 6A-West Conference win of the season, 25-21, 25-21, 25-18 over Springdale.
Freshman Kate Miller and sophomore Phoenix Bailey dished out four aces each for the Lady Mounties (3-10, 1-3 6A-West) and Alexa Albarron added eight digs and Tori Bayles 12 assists. Miller also had three block assists.
Jortaka George led Springdale (4-6-1, 1-3) with 13 digs, while Faith Morgan added five
kills. Lauren Bench added three blocks, five assists and two aces.
Sophomore Avery Fitzgerald finished with 17 kills to lead the Mavericks to a 25-16, 25-8, 2515 win in 6A-Central Conference play Tuesday.
Hannah Holland added 12 kills and two aces, while Hannah Hogue and Sarah Tolbert contributed 16 assists each. Emily Bass also added 25 digs for Southside (10-2, 4-0 6A-Central).
GREENWOOD 3, SILOAM SPRINGS 0
Junior Camryn Presley put up eight kills, 11 digs and a block to lead the Lady Bulldogs to a 25-16, 25-20, 25-15 win over the Lady Panthers.
Zoie Benton added a match-high 10 kills and Izzy Davis added 11 digs and two aces for Greenwood (10-4, 4-0 5A-West).
The Lady Bulldogs improved to 3-0 in 5A-West Conference play with a 25-16, 25-20, 25-15 win over the Lady Panthers.
Ellie Lampton led Siloam Springs (7-4, 2-1) with eight kills, while Reigan Brown added seven kills. Chloe Price added six kills, 16 assists, 14 digs and two aces.