PREP VOLLEYBALL Harrison sweeps Shiloh Christian for 4A Northwest title

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CHARLIE KAIJO Harrison High School Ella Kate Reynolds (22) digs during a championship match of the 4A-1 Conference volleyball tournament, Thursday, October 18, 2018 at Pea Ridge High School in Pea Ridge. Harrison High School defeated Shiloh Christian High School in three straight sets.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CHARLIE KAIJO Harrison High School Ella Kate Reynolds (22) digs during a championship match of the 4A-1 Conference volleyball tournament, Thursday, October 18, 2018 at Pea Ridge High School in Pea Ridge. Harrison High School defeated Shiloh Christian High School in three straight sets.

PEA RIDGE -- Harrison dropped a tough five-set match to Shiloh Christian a little more than a week ago, but the Lady Goblins had few problems with the Lady Saints in the 4A-Northwest district volleyball tournament finals at Blackhawk Gymnasium on Thursday.

Harrison fought for a 26-24 win in the opening set, then rolled to the sweep -- seldom trailing in the final two sets for the 25-18, 25-14 victory.

The Lady Goblins (18-10) was strong from the service line to keep the Lady Saints out of system much of the night. Harrison coach April Mattix said she specifically tried to serve away from Lexi Richards and it worked out well.

"Lexi's a strong player," Mattix said. "Normally, we try to give them the ball and wear them down, but that doesn't work for her."

Richards, a 6-0 senior, finished with a match-high 17 kills to go with seven digs and three aces, but the Lady Goblins broke a 6-6 tie with three straight points in the second set and led the rest of the way.

Shiloh fought back in a back-and-forth opening set and led 20-19 after Jordan Rochelle's kill. But Harrison regained a 22-20 advantage after back-to-back aces by Dufresne. Shiloh managed a 24-24 tie, but Harrison scored the last two points to take the set.

Shiloh Christian coach Nathan Bodenstein acknowledged his team's inability to pass the ball was the difference.

"Credit Harrison's serve," said Bodenstein, whose team won the regular-season conference title. "Harrison played loose. They looked like they were ready to win a championship. We did not."

The Lady Goblins (18-10) will now open play in the state tournament at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Mena against Wynne, the No. 4 seed from the Northeast. Shiloh Christian, the defending state champions, play at 3 p.m. against Batesville, the No. 3 seed from the Northeast. Pea Ridge swept Farmington to earn the third seed and will play at 7 on Tuesday.

Senior Brooklin Edwards led Harrison with 16 kills, while Linsey Choate and Olivia Ditmanson added eight kills each. Sophomore Sydni Dufresne had a team-high three aces to lead Harrison's strong service game and the Lady Goblins finished with nine on the night.

Springdale Har-Ber 3, Webb City, Mo. 1

The Lady Wildcats tuned up for next week's state tournament with a 20-25-, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23 win over Webb City.

Jayci Carpenter finished with a match-high 22 kills, while Tori Sugg added 10 kills. Skylar Fernandez finished with a double-double with 24 assists and 12 digs and Halle Roberts added five aces for Har-Ber (22-6).

Har-Ber, the 6A-West Conference champion, will open play in the state tournament at 5 p.m on Wednesday against the Fayetteville-Fort Smith Northside winner at Bentonville High.

Fort Smith Southside 3, Rogers High 0

The Mavericks improved to 29-3 and closed out the regular season with a 25-8, 25-16, 25-16 nonconference win over Rogers High.

Sophomore Avery Fitzgerald hammered 18 kills, while Aleigha Johnson added seven kills and three blocks. Hannah Hogue also served up five aces and 15 assists for Southside, who is the 6A-Central conference champions. Emily Bass also had a team-high 18 digs.

Freshman Ryley Martin led the Lady Mounties with four kills and nine digs. Tori Bayles dished out seven assists.

Rogers will play North Little Rock at 3 p.m. on Tuesday in the state tournament at Bentonville High. Southside will face the Van Buren-Mount St. Mary winner on Wednesday at 1.

Greenwood 3, Vilonia 0

The Lady Bulldogs completed a perfect 14-0 through the 5A-West conference with a 25-14, 25-12, 25-11 win over Vilonia.

Abby Cagle finished with a team-high nine kills, while Camryn Presley and Zoey Benton added eight each for Greenwood (28-5-1). Izzy Davis contributed a team-high nine digs, while the Lady Bulldogs had 11 aces as a team.

Greenwood begins defense of its state title against Little Rock Parkview at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at Jonesboro High School.

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NWA Democrat-Gazette/CHARLIE KAIJO Shiloh Christian High School Lexi Richards (23) and Kassie Boyett (1) dig during a championship match of the 4A-1 Conference volleyball tournament, Thursday, October 18, 2018 at Pea Ridge High School in Pea Ridge. Harrison High School defeated Shiloh Christian High School in three straight sets.

Sports on 10/19/2018

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