Magnolia girls defeat Lady Backs in 3 sets

Arkansas High’s varsity volleyball squad is going through the mental peaks and valleys of the rigorous Conference 6A/5A schedule.

Arkansas High fell to Magnolia in three straight sets, 25-21, 25-17, 25-16, at Razorback Gym.

The Lady Backs led the beginning portion of the first set behind senior Tatiyana Johnson at the service line and senior Brooklyn Brewer at the net.

Johnson finished the first set with six service points, and Brewer added three kills.

Arkansas High was leading, 9-4, while Johnson was at the line.

Lady Back senior Megan Holder added two kills and three blocks in the first set.

Sophomore Carlin Whaley led the Lady Panthers from the service line in the first set with six points and senior Jacii Powell added five points.

Whaley and junior Kristin Smith proved to be the Lady Backs’ Achilles’ heel.

Smith finished with five service points, and Whaley slapped in a team-high nine points.

Brewer led Arkansas High in the second set with two kills, three blocks and three service points.

Holder continued to make her presence felt at the net for Arkansas High. She finished the second set with two blocks and three kills.

Powell scored seven points to begin the third set and also gave the Lady Panthers an 11-0 lead.

Senior Trinity Easter added four kills and two blocks for Magnolia in the final set.

Sophomore Kailey Burns added a spark for Arkansas High at the service line. Burns finished with five service points and two aces.

Holder finished the final set with three kills and two blocks for the Lady Backs.

Arkansas High plays Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Hot Springs.