SPRINGDALE -- Springdale Har-Ber looked like a much different team Tuesday without Kim Huff, a three-year starter in the middle.
But the Lady Wildcats appeared just fine during a 3-0 sweep (25-10, 25-14, 25-11) over Webb City, Mo., at Wildcat Arena. It was the season opener for both teams and the start of the second season for Har-Ber under coach Shyrah Schisler, who led the Lady Wildcats to a 27-10-1 finish a year ago.
Seniors Emily Thompson and Makiah Martin controlled the middle in place of Huff, who is a freshman at Arkansas Tech.
"I was really proud of the way the girls came out in our first game on our home court," Schisler said. "Confidence is a big thing for us. If we play with a lot of confidence, it'll be hard for us to be stopped."
Webb City was only a mild threat in the opening game Tuesday. Har-Ber used an 8-0 surge to break a 6-6 tie, then finished the match with a 6-0 run to win 25-10.
Har-Ber took control from the outset in Game 2 by leading 7-2 and won 25-14. The Lady Wildcats then completed the sweep with a 25-11 win in Game 3.
"Har-Ber runs a lot quicker offense than we see all the time," said Webb City coach Rhonda Moore. "Usually, we get one or two weapons at a time and they came at us with six weapons. But our kids fought to the end even when the margin was larger than we wanted."
Lauren Thompson had 10 kills and Klaire Trainor nine kills to lead Har-Ber. Elizabeth Williams had 17 assists while Bailey Baxendale added 11 assists and four aces.
Defensive specialist Emily Doss was again in top form after emerging as a starter last season as a sophomore for the Lady Wildcats. Doss, who finished with eight digs and three aces, sealed Game 1 with consecutive aces and a save that resulted in the winning point for Har-Ber.
"Emily has really grown up and matured from last year and she's still just a junior," Schisler said. "She's become more coachable and more vocal and she wants to become even better at everything in her game."
Har-Ber will play in a tournament at Broken Arrow, Okla., Friday and Saturday before returning on Monday to face Carl Junction. Mo., at Wildcat Arena. The Lady Wildcats open 7A-West Conference at home against Fort Smith Southside on Sept. 3.
Sports on 08/26/2015