Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Lady Tigers Volleyball Seniors Honored
PRAIRIE GROVE — Gentry defeated Prairie Grove in straight sets, 25-23, 25-13 and 25-21, on Thursday to pick up a final conference win and secure the fifth spot going into the district tourney.
With tournament play beginning this week at Farmington, Gentry has momentum.
“We’re peaking at the right time,” said Gentry coach Daren Ward. “It was just a matter of time for it to start clicking. We’re doing all the right things, physically and emotionally. Prairie Grove caught us on a good night.”
The loss spoiled senior night at Prairie Grove.
“We didn’t play well, at the same time, it’s more than anything to honor our seniors,” said Prairie Grove coach Hannah McDonald. “I have a small group of seniors compared to my large group last year.”
McDonald explained the transition was not easy for this year’s class of four upperclassmen, Taylor Adam, Cassidy Dryer, Kendra Happy and Maria Maraver.
Adam is the daughter of Dawn Patterson and Chris Patterson and after high school plans to attend Harding University to pursue a career in physical therapy or just become a Disney princess.
Dryer is the daughter of Patrick and Tonya Dryer and plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and wants to become a nurse.
Happy is the daughter of Quiata Summerlynn and plans to attend the University of Arkansas majoring in agriculture and education.
Maraver, a foreign- exchange student from Spain, was greeted by a chorus of “Spain, Spain, Spain,” from the student body. Her aunt and uncle, Sarah and Mike McKenzie, are serving as her host parents. After graduation, she plans to return to Spain and attend college.
“They really led by example with their work ethic and servant attitude. They are just an all-around good group of girls,” McDonald said.
The serving of Samantha Curran put the match away for Gentry in game three with back-to-back aces that pushed the Lady Pioneers to match-point, at 24-18. After a pair of Gentry miscues, Kelsey Webb’s kill kept the Lady Tigers alive but a bad serve ended the contest and sent Prairie Grove into the district tournament as the number seven seed. The Lady Tigers beat Lincoln 3-0 on Monday in the first-round but then lost to Farmington.