Lady Lions lose to Lady Saints in close match at Gravette

GRAVETTE — In the only match of week five of the 4A West conference race, the Gravette Lady Lions played a tough Shiloh Christian Lady Saints’ volleyball team in the gym at Gravette High School Sept. 24. The result? The Lady Saints overpowered the Lady Lions in straight sets but not before narrowly escaping a late Gravette run in the second set.

The Lady Lions fell behind early in the first set, with the Lady Saints running ahead by as much as 15 points. Gravette tried to come back, but Shiloh’s lead was too great to overcome and the Lady Saints took the first set, 25-13.

Gravette took the lead early in the second set on a series of simple mistakes by Shiloh. A quick timeout shifted the momentum in the Lady Saints’ favor and they eventually overtook the lead late in the set. A run by Gravette tied the match at 22 all. The next two points went in favor of the Lady Saints. Gravette came right back and tied it again at 24 all and then hit the next point, needing only one more to win the set. Shiloh came back and tied it once again at 25 all. Two long volleys by both teams ended with a pair of points for the Lady Saints and the set, 27-25.

The Lady Lions struggled to keep their focus in the third set, which led to the Lady Saints building

a commanding lead and eventually winning the set, 25-10, and the conference match in three straight sets.

The Gravette Lady Lions were on the road Tuesday when the team kicked off week six against the Huntsville Lady Eagles at Huntsville High School (after press time). The Lady Lions return to the gym at Gravette High School Thursday to face the Berryville Lady Bobcats in another conference showdown. The varsity team will play at the conclusion of the junior high A and B, and junior varsity matches which begin at 4 p.m.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS It looks like a “joust” at the net as Lady Lion Julia Matteson (20) and a Lady Saints player try to tip the ball over to the opposite side of the court during the third set of the Gravette-Shiloh Christian conference volleyball match in Gravette Sept. 24. The ball dropped in front of the Lady Saint, resulting in a point for Gravette.