SPRINGDALE -- Springdale Har-Ber finished the deal this time against Bentonville High.
The Lady Wildcats could not finish off Bentonville despite taking a 2-0 lead in the 6A-West Conference volleyball opener three weeks ago, but they hit the accelerator in the third set this time en route to a 25-20, 25-21, 25-15 win at Wildcat Arena.
Har-Ber coach Shyrah Schisler said her team has worked through issues of staying focused in the third set, especially after winning the first two. The Lady Wildcats had a couple of match points in the third set earlier this season against Bentonville, but the Lady Tigers roared back for the five-set victory.
The Lady Wildcats have grown in the last few weeks, too, Schisler said.
"I think set three has been a mind game for us all season," Schisler said. "Mentally, learning how to conquer when you win two, how to take care of that third set. I think they're just more consistent as far as our defense.
"Blocking is a lot better than it was at the beginning of the season. Our back-row defense is a lot better than it was at the beginning of the season. Playing together and understanding how those two combine and make each other better have just really helped us keep that confidence and consistency."
Har-Ber had a balanced attack with four players in double digits in kills led by senior Jayci Carpenter's 11 kills. Tori Sugg, Kat Cooper and Mackenzie White added 10 kills each. Molly Kingston had a match-high 13 digs, while Skylar Fernandez enjoyed a strong night with 15 assists, seven digs and four aces.
Har-Ber (15-6, 7-1 6A-West) used a 5-0 spurt to break a 17-17 tie in the opening set, then rallied with a 12-2 run to turn a 15-10 deficit into a 22-17 lead in the second. The Lady Wildcats rode that momentum, cruising to a 16-6 lead in the third and coasted to the win. They now have a two-game lead as Van Buren, Bentonville, Bentonville West and Fayetteville are all tied for second at 5-3.
Getting Fernandez back healthy has been a key part to the team's success, Schisler said.
"Getting her back was huge," Schisler said. "Her energy, her setting, her serving -- she's a great leader, and she brings a great positive presence to the court. That made a big difference for us."
Savanna Riney led Bentonville (10-12, 5-3) with 11 kills and nine digs, while Cait Hudgens had a team-high 10 digs and Maddie Breed added four blocks.
Rogers 3, Van Buren 1
Freshman Ryley Martin hammered a match-high 17 kills, while Anna Randels had a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs to lead the Lady Mounties to a 25-19, 25-11, 19-25, 25-22 win over the Lady Pointers.
Freshman Abby Harris also contributed 27 assists and a match-high five aces for the Lady Mounties (7-15, 3-5). Alexa Albarran also chipped in 10 digs.
Alex Dupree led Van Buren (9-6, 5-3) with 11 kills, while Grace Dolittle added eight kills. Mikelle Porter dished out 24 assists.
Fayetteville 3, Bentonville West 0
Rosana Hicks had nine kills and Arianna Walter had five blocks as Fayetteville posted a 25-15, 25-22, 25-16 victory over West in Wolverine Arena.
Laney Daniels contributed 17 digs and Gracyn Spresser added 20 assists for the Lady Bulldogs (10-12, 5-3).
Kortney Puckett paced West (11-11, 5-3) with 10 kills, two aces and two blocks.
Springdale High 3, Rogers Heritage 1
The Lady Bulldogs rebounded from a third set hiccup to knock off Heritage 25-19, 25-19, 15-25, 25-22.
Springdale (5-9-1, 2-6) dominated at the net with Zoe Schmidt and Lauren Bench combining for eight kills each. Schmidt added 16 digs and a block, and Bench had 14 digs and 11 assists.
Also for Springdale, Jesslynn Wells had 20 digs and one ace, Faith Morgan had two aces, five kills and 18 assists and Amaya Johnson had six kills. Taina Miller added five kills.
Kyndall Strickland led Heritage with 13 kills, while Brittney Ware had a match-high 17 digs and Josie Stitt dished out 18 assists.
6A-CENTRAL
Fort Smith Southside 3, Conway 2
Hannah Holland and Avery Fitzgerald combined for 44 kills to lead the Mavericks to a tough 25-18, 25-20, 12-25, 23-25, 15-12 victory in 6A-Central action on the road.
Holland had a team-high 23 kills to go with two blocks and two aces, while Fitzgerald added 21 kills and three aces for Southside (19-2, 8-0). Hannah Hogue contributed 19 assists and 20 digs, while Emily Bass had a team-high 30 digs.
5A-WEST
Siloam Springs 3, Russellville 1
Siloam Springs completed the first round of 5A-West Conference play with a 25-19, 25-22, 26-28, 25-22 win over the Lady Cyclones at Panther Activity Center.
Siloam Springs improved to 11-7-1 overall and 5-2 in league play and moved into a three-way tie with Greenbrier and Russellville for second place in the conference.
Ellie Lampton led the Lady Panthers with 22 kills, nine digs and seven aces, while Chloe Price had 13 kills and 20 assists. Reigan Brown added 12 kills and one ace, while Makenna Thomas had 24 assists and Kelsey Lewis 35 digs. Lilly Ruston led Russellville (10-9-2, 5-2) with 11 kills, while Lizzy Callaway had 22 digs and Gracie Palmer 23 assists.
Sports on 09/26/2018