Rogers High outlasts Heritage

ROGERS — Rogers High got off to a slow start in the fifth set, but the Lady Mounties sure did finish Tuesday night.

Senior outside hitter Samantha Lassiter crushed the ball down the line for the winner to put the finishing touches on a hard-fought 3-2 (25-20, 18-25, 25-21, 11-25, 15-13) victory over crosstown rival Rogers Heritage in 7A-West Conference volleyball in King Arena.

The Lady Mounties (7-8-1, 3-4 7A-West) trailed almost all of the final set, but scored four of the final five points to earn the victory.

Rogers coach Jeanna Breedlove said the difference was how her team stayed together, even after a lopsided loss in the fourth set.

Sophomore outside hitter Hannah Martin hammered down a kill for a 12-12 tie, then served up an ace for a 13-12 Rogers lead. However, Martin followed with a serve into the net for a 13-13 tie. But the Lady Mounties finished it with back-to-back kills for the victory.

“It was a hard-fought win,” Breedlove said. “In that fifth set they had us down. We had a crucial service error, but really proud of the girls for not letting that get them down. They were able to play through that and make the next play. I was proud of how the girls pulled together as a team.

“We’ve had some games where we got quiet, but tonight we communicated and worked as a team.”

Martin led Rogers with a nice all-around effort with 19 kills, 12 digs and seven blocks. Lassiter chipped in with 13 kills and Kassidy Wall added 10. Libero Madison Sherrill contributed 23 digs. Senior middle blocker Audrey Herrera led with a match-high eight blocks, including four in the fifth set.

Heritage coach Sarah Miser lamented her team’s inability to finish off the match.

“In the fifth set, we get to five first and we get to 10 first and we’re up 12-11 but can’t finish,” Miser said. “Hopefully, the girls are frustrated enough it doesn’t happen again. I think it was a little bit of a roller coaster on both sides.”

The Lady Mounties overcame a huge effort by Heritage senior outside hitter Elleson Dunagin, who finished with 23 kills, 23 digs and five blocks. Senior libero Alye Darter contributed a match-high 30 digs for the Lady War Eagles (8-7, 2-5).