Bauxite snaps 2-match skid
BAUXITE – After a tough match against the Mena Lady Bearcats in which they were swept for their second straight loss in 4A West Conference play, the Bauxite Lady Miners volleyball team got back on the winning track Thursday at home, sweeping Camden Fairview at Fred Dawson Gym in Bauxite.
Thursday’s win put the
Lady Miners at 7-3 overall, 5-2 in conference play and play next on Monday against rival Harmony Grove in Bauxite.
Against Mena (10-0, 7-0) on Tuesday, the Lady Miners were tough in the first set, falling just 25-22.
“Mena has been the gold standard in our conference for several years now,” Bauxite Coach Dave Carter said. “It’s easy to get up for a match with Mena because we want to beat them so badly. They’ve earned that respect. I like playing them. We felt we had a solid game plan. We felt like we could attack certain spots of the court in various ways to keep the ball away from their libero. We needed to minimize her impact on the game. She is one the strongest defenders we have faced all year and knew that going into the match.
“Our game plan worked
quite well coming out of the gate. We had the lead late in the first set and just needed a few points to close out the set win. But we got bit by mental mistakes at the wrong time and could not close it out. We served much better against Mena. Maybe the best serving game we’ve had to this point.”
But, the Lady Bearcats took control to win 25-14 and 25-9 the next two games for the sweep.
“We regrouped and fought hard to begin the second set and again had the lead midway through,” Carter said. “But great credit to Coach (Brad) Lyle and his team because they switched their attack plan midway in the set and we were not able to consistently adjust. Momentum swung hard in their favor and they left us reeling.
“There were some positives to take away from the match, but overall we did not show the maturity we need to have in order to compete at the highest level. We must be able to make an adjustment and stick with that until we adjust or modify our plan again. I believe we can continue to grow and improve. We’ll right the ship and continue our push to the postseason.”
Bauxite sophomore setter Kayla Bubbus led the Lady Miners with 22 assists, with juniors Lindsey Cross and Haley Howard (three digs) leading with eight kills and a block apiece. Junior Jaylin Rhoades added four kills, sophomore Bryley Bowman had three digs, juniors Olivia Shields and Paige Shepard had a kill each, and senior Riley Larkin had an ace and a dig.
After the tough loss to Mena, the Lady Miners regrouped Thursday sweeping Camden Fairview 25-11, 25-22 and 25-14.
“Our games with Camden seem to always be ones with intense passion,” Carter said. “Thursday was no different. It was a vibrant home atmosphere with both teams cheering and lots of volleyball action. It was nice to get back into the win column and further solidify our presence in the upper half of the conference. We played well overall.
“I am particularly pleased with our improved serving this week. Our ace count is lower but so is our error count. I’ve never been big on aces because so much of that stat depends on how the other team plays you, but having fewer errors is completely on us. That stat I care a great deal about. We’ve improved by focusing our spots rather than trying to overpower. We’re finally getting that. And it’s saving points.”
Bubbas again led the way with 37 assists, with Cross and Howard both big at the net again. Cross led the way with 14 kills, with a 94-percent efficiency, and two blocks, while Howard had 13 kills, seven digs and two aces.
“Camden is so athletic it is hard to get a ball to the floor,” Carter said. “They seem to get a touch on everything in every hole. I am glad we were able to use the deflection when the hole wasn’t open. We moved the ball around the court very well and passed with much better efficiency. We played well and took care of business. Now it’s time to focus on each game moving forward.”
Rhoades followed with six kills, sophomore Lexi Bright had three kills and Shields had two. Bowman had five digs, a kill and an ace, with Larkin adding four digs and an ace. Lockhart had an ace and dig, as well.
Bauxite is currently third in the West, with Mena first and Fountain Lake second. The Lady Miners host Harmony Grove Monday before getting back into conference play Tuesday against Malvern at home.