Arkansas High shines on Senior Night
TEXARKANA, Ark. — Arkansas High saved it’s best performance for last.
The Lady Backs swept J.A. Fair on Senior Night, 25-12, 25-10, 25-15, at Razorback Gym on Thursday.
“The girls came out tonight and played hard,” Arkansas High head coach Kaylee Treas-Dalby said. “I started all six of my seniors tonight. It was pretty amazing. Torrance Brown has been sick most of the season. She came out this week and really practiced hard for us. She did an amazing job for us, being that she was out for weeks.
“My entire front row played great tonight. This team has really grown. They met their personal goals and most of their team goals.”
Brown ended the match with five digs for AHS, while teammate Keonnie Strickland guarded the nets with seven kills and five blocks.
The Lady War Eagles’ most competitive set with the Lady Backs was the final one.
After leading 6-1 with Kaitlyn Fortenberry at the service line, the War Eagles attempted to claw back when they could.
A couple of Arkansas High miscues had the set at 11-9, with J.A. Fair only trailing by two points.
AHS eventually regrouped, and Nia Stuckey finished the match with six consecutive service points.
Fortenberry ended her night with 20 assists for Arkansas High, and teammate Z’niyah Nelson finished with seven kills.
The Lady Backs kept their foot on the pedal through the second set.
Sydnee Blackwell gave the Lady Backs a cushion in the second set from the serve line.
Blackwell accounted for nine consecutive service points for AHS in the second set and finished the match with seven kills and 11 points.
Alexyee Nowlin took over on the service line with AHS leading 18-10. Nowlin added seven straight service points to give the Lady Backs the second set.
Shelby Robinson added five points for Arkansas High and teammate Marcayla Montgomery finished with four kills.
“We have a young team coming back, and I’m extremely excited about the future of this program,” Treas-Dalby said. “Our seniors will be truly missed. They worked hard and never gave up.”
Arkansas High held a commanding 8-0 lead to start the first set before J.A. Fair took its first serve, with Barry at the service line.
The War Eagles had no answer for the Lady Backs serves.
AHS ballooned their advantage to 20-7 before taking the set, only allowing the War Eagles five more points.
Barry led the Lady Backs with 15 points and 15 digs.
Arkansas High’s senior players were Brown, Barry, Fortenberry, Blackwell, Robinson and Montgomery.