Paris sweeps to 4th state title in a row

PARIS 3, ASHDOWN 0

HOT SPRINGS — Paris laid claim to its fourth consecutive state volleyball title Saturday afternoon thanks to the Lady Eagles’ dynamic senior duo.

Joni Inman and Ryleigh Hardwicke combined for 33 kills in leading Paris to a 3-0 victory over Ashdown in the Class 3A state championship match at Bank OZK Arena.

Paris, which won 25-16, 25-19, 25-23, made its seventh consecutive state finals appearance and won its fourth title in a row. The Lady Eagles (33-2-1) ended the season on a seven-match winning streak.

“It’s been an amazing season, and I don’t think a lot of people realize how much work these girls have put in on a daily basis,” first-year Paris Coach Jordan Devine said. “It’s just a testament to what these girls did to accomplish this.”

Inman finished with 18 kills and two aces. Hardwicke collected 15 kills and 15 digs.

“There was pressure to continue the streak, but being here four times in a row, it’s been a little bit easier every time,” said Hardwicke, who was selected as the tournament’s MVP. “The nerves are still there, but they’re not as big. It was a great feeling to be here again.”

Ashdown (19-7-1) had never won a state tournament volleyball match prior to this season, but the Pantherettes took a set from Paris earlier this season at an invitational

tournament in Paris, the first time any Class 3A opponent had taken a set from Paris in more than a year.

“I told our girls that we are in there with them,” Ashdown Coach Anna Tillery. “I wasn’t worried about that. The only thing I thought they had on us is being comfortable in this setting.”

Ashdown was a victim of a rare rotation error that cost the Pantherettes three points in the opening game, which turned a 4-4 tie into a 4-1 Paris lead.

“That was frustrating for me,” Tillery said. “I told the girls that the bottom line is that I made a mistake and the ref made a mistake. I had changed to where I had two of my girls starting, and I forgot to tell [the officials]. But when [the officials] checked the lineup, they didn’t check it right. She had served three times already before they caught it. To go from 4-4 to 4-1, that’s just not a great way to start.”

Senior outside hitter Adaysia Thompson led Ashdown with 15 kills while adding 13 digs. Sophomore Porsha Randle delivered a team-high 13 assists, and senior Kenya Wilson led the team with 22 digs.

Junior Robyn Gossard led Paris in digs with 24, and junior Paiton Forbis was good for a game-high 24 assists and 3 of the team’s 10 aces. Senior Eliciah Kury added 18 assists and Inman served two aces.

The third game was tied at 21-21 before Paris finished off the match by winning four of the final six points.