Saying Goodbye
Coach honored after final home match
Siloam Springs swept a volleyball match Saturday afternoon, just like it has done countless times under the leadership of longtime head coach Rose Cheek-Willis.
But in the aftermath of the Lady Panthers’ 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-16) victory over Sheridan in the opening round of the 6AWest Conference Tournament, there weren’t cheers of joy.
Instead there were a lot of tears.
The match was likely the final home contest of the year for Siloam Springs, and also the last home match of Cheek-Willis’ storied career at Siloam Springs.
The legendary high school coach announced several weeks ago she was retiring from teaching and coaching at season’s end.
A small yet emotional ceremony was held after Saturday’s match to recognize the longtime Siloam Springs coach. CheekWillis was moved to tears several times as she stood alone and faced the crowd gathered inside Panther Activity Center as her accomplishments as head coach were read off one by one.
The final words, read by public address announcer Doug Chastain, may have summed it up best.
“Your legacy will never be forgotten.”
Cheek-Willis was then given flowers and greeted by friends, family, current and former players.
“I was not expecting it. It was a huge surprise,” Cheek-Willis said. “It was emotional. I was thinking this is my last match here. But at some point you have to walk away. I thought I’d coach forever. I really did. But I’m 60 years old. I’ve had some health issues, and then my husband has health issues. My priorities in life have changed.
“Not that I don’t have a passion and not that I don’t love coaching, I love it. It’s time.”
It may be time, but the Lady Panthers still have work to do.
The victory on Saturday clinched a Class 6A State Tournament berth for Siloam Springs (16-16), which played in the 6A-West Tournament winner’s bracket semifinals on Tuesday night at Greenwood. Results were not available at presstime.
Not that I don’t have a passion and not that I don’t love coaching, I love it. It’s time.
— Rose Cheek-Willis Siloam Springs volleyball coach on her retirement
Siloam Springs will play in a final 6A-West Tournament match on Saturday, and as a No. 4 seed it will likely be on the road.
The Lady Panthers will then head to Lake Hamilton on Tuesday for the 6A State Tournament.
“We’re not finished yet,” Cheek-Willis said. “I still want us to go on and get after it. I told the girls, I’d like one more state championship title or be in the state championship game.”
Cheek-Willis has won seven state championships with the Lady Panthers, winning the first in 2001 and six straight from 2004 to 2009.
“I’ve been blessed to have wonderful kids, wonderful athletes, a great assistant (Joellen Wright) who’s one of my dearest friends,” CheekWillis said. “Amazing family and support and wonderful parents — amazing parents.”
It’s been since 2010 that Siloam Springs has reached a state title game. The Lady Panthers have been eliminated in the state quarterfinals each of the last five seasons.
“I want to shoot for the dad-gum state championship game,” CheekWillis said. “I want to shoot for it.”
It’s fitting that CheekWillis’ final volleyball match ended in a sweep.
“I thought that too,” she said. “At least my last game at this gym is going to be a good memory, and it was in three. It was in three.”
Ellie Lampton led the Lady Panthers with eight kills, four block assists and five digs, while Shaylon Sharp had seven kills, three block assists and 14 digs.
Chloe Price contributed five kills, 15 digs and 10 assists, while Meg Gray had one kill, nine digs and 14 assists.
Madison Cooper had five kills and five block assists, while Allie Bowman had three kills, two block assists and five digs.
Andrea Lowry led defensively with 32 digs, while Kelsey Lewis had 17 digs, Alexis Roach six digs and Elise Scarbrough one kill.
Price, a sophomore who is Cheek-Willis’ niece, said the the Lady Panthers want to send their coach out on a winning note the next couple of weeks.
“It feels pretty special,” Price said. “I know we’re going to go play hard for her and give her something special to remember.”
I’ve been blessed to have wonderful kids, wonderful athletes, a great assistant ( Joellen Wright) who’s one of my dearest friends Amazing family and support and wonderful parents — amazing parents.
— Rose Cheek-Willis