Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Lady Tigers Show Progress
PRAIRIE GROVE — The Prairie Grove volleyball team rebounded from a 3-0 sweep at Berryville Aug. 25 to defeat Elkins 3- 0 at home Aug. 30 to up their season record to 2-1.
The Lady Tigers got off to a rocky start against Berryville, losing game-one, 25-14, something that was an issue in a pre-season benefit match against Farmington Aug. 15.
In the benefit match, Farmington used an early 12-2 run to build a 14-4 lead. Prairie Grove played better from that juncture, virtually playing Farmington even at 11-10 in scoring for the remainder of the set before losing, 25-14.
“You could tell it was our first game,” said first- year Prairie Grove coach Mat Stewart. “The competition factor didn’t kick in like it should have for our first game. We were just playing on emotions, rather than good, sound volleyball. Farmington had a lot to do with that. They are a good team.”
The match on the road Aug. 25 at Berryville, a 25-14, 25-19, 26-24 loss, was much like the Farmington benefit match with the Lady Tigers playing better in each game, yet, they were swept by the Lady Cardinals (25-14, 25-22, 26-24).
In both instances, the Lady Tigers forced game-three beyond 25 points, falling by identical scores of 26- 24 against both Berryville and Farmington. Despite the sweep at Farmington, Stewart saw some positive energy in game three.
He felt like his team regained their focus in game three after a time-out.
“They made the third set very competitive,” Stewart said. “We actually had a chance to win it. I feel like if we continue to have that fight and focus we’ll be good by the end of the year.”
The Lady Tigers wasted little time in showing they can be competitive. Prairie Grove defeated Pea Ridge Aug. 23, a day after the Lady Blackhawks beat Farmington ( 25-22, 19-25, 16-25, 25-16, 15-13). The match showcased a see-saw battle with the teams trading blows.
Prairie Grove won game one, 25-13, only to have Pea Ridge win game two, 25-21.
The Lady Tigers claimed game three, 25-19, but were upended, 18-25, in game four as Pea Ridge battled back to force a fifth set. Prairie Grove took the set and match with a 15-11 win.
On Aug. 30, the Lady Tigers downed Elkins ( 25- 13, 25- 10, 25-19).