LITTLE ROCK — Harding Academy, a varsity program that is only 2 years old with a roster of eight players, won the Class 3A state title with a 25-9, 18-25, 27-25, 25-14 victory over the Mansfield Lady Tigers.
Junior setter and state tournament MVP Emily Giboney made 33 assists and also provided the Lady Wildcats (33-2) with 13 kills. Senior Sarah Coleman led the team in kills with 16.
“This is incredible,” Harding Academy Coach Michal Giboney said. “I knew these girls were capable from the beginning. I can’t even put it into words.”
Mansfield (28-6), which won a state title in 2009, got a game-high 22 kills from senior middle hitter Madelyn Bonds and nine kills from sophomore Kaylie Pyles.
Harding Academy started the match by winning the game’s first seven points and reeled off 11 consecutive points in the fourth game, turning a 10-9 advantage into a 22-9 lead, but the match turned in the Lady Wildcats’ favor for the final time at the end of the third game.
Mansfield saved four game points before Harding Academy rallied for the 27-25 victory and a 2-1 game lead.
“I knew that last set we could come out and dominate,” Coach Giboney said. “After winning a nail biter in the third set, I just felt like we had the momentum.”
Sophomore Shelby Gowen led Harding Academy in digs with 15 while junior Madison Burks had 14 digs.
Sports, Pages 31 on 10/30/2011