Lady Tigers look to reload instead of rebuild

An outsider may glance at Bentonville’s roster and think the Lady Tigers must rebuild after the graduation of 11 seniors off last year’s team.

That might not be the case, according to coach Michelle Smith.

“It will be a young, but exciting team,” Smith said. “We still have some returning seniors, and I’m excited to see what this season holds. They have moments of just greatness that, from a young team, is unexpected.

“So I’m really interested to see how things unfold as we get a test from our tri-match with Rogers Heritage and Shiloh Christian, then head forward into our season.”

Smith said Cait Hudgens, who goes from a role player last season to a senior captain, is one of three players that may never leave the floor this season. The other two will be junior Savanna Riney, Bentonville’s most experienced player, and Trinity Hamilton, one of two freshmen

on the roster.

Senior Riley Robbe, a left-hander, also gives the Lady Tigers some experience, while Megan Atchison will play a more prominent part after being in a part-time role last year. Atchison and Taylor Shapley will split time as setters, while Maddie Breed and Isabella Santone will share time in the middle.

“I would like to say we are reloading,” Smith said. “We have a lot of young talent that needs some tweaking and some coaching. It’s not going to change overnight.

“Our motto this year is ‘process over product.’ If they believe in the process, then they will get the product.”

Bentonville opens its season Monday with a home match against Siloam Springs.