SPRINGDALE -- Kevin Barnes wanted his daughter to play basketball.
He helped the late and legendary Paul Eels anchor the sports desk at Little Rock's KATV-Channel 7 when the Arkansas Razorbacks were rising into national prominence, so hoops was what he knew best.
Class 4A
State Volleyball Tournament
at Lonoke High
Today
M1 Westside (NE1) vs. Baptist Prep (C4), 2 p.m., Court 1
M2 Berryville (NW2) vs. Booneville (W3), 4 p.m., Court 1
M3 Central Arkansas Christian (C1) vs. Harrisburg, 6 p.m., Court 1
M4 Fountain Lake (W2) vs. Huntsville (NW3), 8 p.m., Court 1
M5 Mena (W1) vs. West Fork (NW4), 2 p.m., Court 2
M6 Lonoke (C2) vs. Pocahontas (NE3), 4 p.m., Court 2
M7 Shiloh Christian (NW1) vs. Ashdown (W4), 6 p.m., Court 2
M8 Brookland (NE2) vs. Southside (C3), 8 p.m., Court 2
Wednesday
M9 Match 1 winner vs. Match 2 winner, 2 p.m., Court 1
M10 Match 3 winner vs. Match 4 winner, 4 p.m., Court 1
M11 Match 5 winner vs. Match 6 winner, 6 p.m., Court 1
M12 Match 7 winner vs. Match 8 winner, 8 p.m., Court 1
Thursday,
M13 Match 9 winner vs. Match 10 winner, 1 p.m., Court 1
M14 Match 11 winner vs. Match 12 winner, 3 p.m., Court 1
Saturday
M15 Match 13 winner vs. Match 14 winner, 11 a.m., Court 1 (championship)
His daughter, Olivia, was 21.5 inches when she was born on Dec. 20, 1998. She always was tall for her age, and when she grew "five or six inches" during the summer before her sophomore year at Shiloh Christian, Kevin figured she was destined to shine on the hardwood.
He even called her "Big O," the nickname fans tabbed 6-foot-9 center Oliver Miller on those early 1990s Hogs teams.
"She played basketball for a year or two, but she loved volleyball," Kevin Barnes said. "So, I've grown to like it, and I really enjoy it."
Olivia Barnes not only loves volleyball, she dominates on the court. Barnes and the Lady Saints open their state title defense against Ashdown at 6 p.m. today in the Class 4A state tournament in Lonoke.
The 6-foot-2 senior middle blocker and right-side hitter is fourth in the state, regardless of classification, with a .399 hitting percentage. She second on the team with 204 kills and 48 blocks, including 44 solo blocks.
Her size is an obstacle for opponents as they often hit shots out of bounds while trying to hit over or around the outstretched arms of her block attempts.
"She's big, and she's a force," said Shiloh Christian coach Nathan Bodenstein. "She's had a really great year. She's (fourth) in the state in hitting percentage because she just doesn't make a lot of errors.
"Her blocking is where she's just really working hard. Fast offense used to get her because she was a step slow at times, but now she can get there because she's really learned to read."
Most matches, Barnes is the tallest player on the court, so it's an obvious advantage, but she wasn't always as skilled. It took time to "grow into her body" after hitting that summer growth.
"(SCS strength coach Tyler) Weddle completely changed me as a player," Olivia Barnes said. "I started off really long and awkward, but he's formed me into someone who's kinda coordinated and has power. He's been great, and along with Coach (Bodenstein), they've shaped all of us into who we are."
Even with the added strength and coordination, she admits she's still not always the most graceful.
"I tripped Lexi (Richards) on the last play (of the conference tourney finals)," Olivia Barnes said. "She didn't just fall. I tripped her, so that (awkwardness) is still there sometimes."
Bodenstein credited senior Hannah Smithson with setting up Barnes and others for ferocious kill shots. Smithson is responsible for calling all the offensive plays.
"She's really good at reading who to set, who's hot, and that's what makes it easy as a coach, Bodenstein said. "The offense is hers, and I trust her with that."
Once Smithson sets the ball, it's up to Olivia Barnes to decide if a touch shot or an over-the-top smash is needed to get the point.
"I just try to look at the block and try to see the whole floor when I'm going up," Barnes said. "I just try to find an open spot in the court and depending on the height and the speed of the set, then kinda go from there."
Because her dad is a self-proclaimed "sports nut," he's learned enough about volleyball to discuss matches with his daughter.
"I'll want to talk about the game on the way home from a match," he said. "And it finally gets to a point where she'll say, 'Dad, I've had enough. Shut it down tonight.'"
Sports on 10/25/2016