Arkansas High outlasts Lake Hamilton on special night

TEXARKANA, Ark. — Arkansas High closed out its home season with a comefrom-behind victory over Lake Hamilton on Senior Night at the Razorback Gym Thursday evening.

The Lady Backs won the match by scores of 23-25, 2518, 17-25, 25-23, and 15-8.

Arkansas High improves its overall record to 9-14, and 3-10 in Conference 5A South.

“It was a great team effort, I was very proud of them to come back like they did.” said AHS coach Jacob Mccloud.

“Our record doesn’t show it, but we’re not that bad a team.” Mccloud added. “Our conference is a really tough one, and we’ve lost some very close matches this season.”

Coach Mccloud believes his team will show improvement next season.

“Although we’re losing five seniors, we have several underclassmen returning, and some very good ninth graders. We’ll just have to wait and see how everything turns out,” he said.

The Lady Backs took an early lead, 8-6, in the first set, and after being tied, 11-11, the Lady Wolves ran off four straight. AHS was able to tie the set, 21-21. With the score, 24-23, Lake Hamilton closed out the set, 25-23, with an AHS wide serve.

The Lady Backs again took the lead in the second game, and continued to pull away to a 19-10 advantage after four service points by Grace Otwell.

The Lady Wolves fought back and drew within four, 20-16, but a kill by Jenna Dupree ultimately ended the set, 25-18.

Sophomore Addison Girly and the senior Dupree had a good game at the net will kills and blocked shots.

Lake Hamilton scored the first five points in the third set, and won the set easily, 25-17.

Lake Hamilton took control early in the fourth set, and continued to lead, 2115. But with Otwell serving, the Lady Backs tied the set, 21-21, and won the set, 25-23, when a Lake Hamilton serve went into the net.

In the final set, after being tied, 5-5, with Macie Lee serving, the Lady Backs took the lead, 8-5, and continued to pull away to a 15-8 win, and an overall victory.

Girley led the team with 13 kills, and Dupree had 11, along with several blocks and tips that went for winners.

Otwell had 16 service points, and Tearnin had 12.

Arkansas High closes out its season next week at Benton, the No.1 team.