Everything She Has

WITHERSPOON PLAYED ALL-OUT Force To Reckon With THORDSEN SHINES FOR LINCOLN

PRAIRIE GROVE — Kaleigh Witherspoon, a versatile two-sport athlete who played volleyball and softball, has been named Female Athlete of the Year at Prairie Grove for 2013 by the Enterprise-Leader.

Witherspoon was a dominating force as an outside hitter during Prairie Grove’s run to the state semifinals at the 2012 volleyball tournament during her senior year.

When Witherspoon produced an ace or block or one of her patented, blazing spikes for a kill some observers might have thought the crowd was booing her. But, the reality was the hometown Prairie Grove crowd was simply serenading the outside hitter, who earned All- State and All- State tournament team honors, with a chorus of “Spoooooooon,” the nickname Tiger fans affectionately gave her. Many in the crowd would hold up spoons after one of her many “hi-light reel” plays.

“Kaleigh is a p owe rhou se ,” said Prairie Grove volleyball coach Hannah McDonald. “She has one speed and gives you everything she has.”

The Lady Tigers relied heavily on Witherspoon’s senior leadership helping Prairie Grove take their volleyball game up a notch.

“We have really redefined our game and that is because our senior leadership has stepped-up. They have made it a point to try to dominate from beginning to the end,” McDonald said.

Witherspoon was a two-year starter noted for her strength and power at the net, who McDonald said added an aspect of finesse to her repertoire which made her even more effective as a senior as

Witherspoon

LINCOLN — Nikki Thordsen was a force to be reckoned with in both basketball and track and field during her high school career as a member of the Lincoln Lady Wolves.

Thordsen, who graduated in 2013, has been named Female Athlete of the Year at Lincoln for her accomplishments this year.

In May, Thordsen won her second straight state championship in triple jump surpassing a talented field of competitors, including at least two who came in with longer jumps.

Thordsen

illustrated by her 13 kills and 3 aces in a 3- game sweep of 25-10, 25-10, 25-14, over Gentry on senior night.

Witherspoon also played softball in the spring as an outfielder with fellow seniors, Loren Gragg and Kaitlin Asbil. Witherspoon earned All-State honors as a junior batting over .500 and according to former Prairie Grove softball coach Chris Collins was always a threat at the plate even though her senior year was not as good statistically.

“Spoon is one of the hardest workers we have and she’s her own harshest critic,” Collins said.

Wi t h e rspoon we n t 2- for- 4 with two RBIs in helping the Lady Tigers defeat Berryville, 12- 0, in five innings and came up with crucial plays in a narrow 3-2 comeback win on March 26 against Ozark. Witherspoon’s RBI triple helped Prairie Grove tie the score at 1-1 and she later scored on a passed ball that put Prairie Grove ahead 2-1.

Witherspoon is the daughter of Rhonda Witherspoon and Mike Witherspoon.