Coverage presented by Arkansas Select Volleyball.
4A
Pottsville and Baptist Prep keep the top two spots, but there is plenty of movement elsewhere.
Jonesboro Westside moves up two spots to No. 3. Brookland moves up three spots to No. 5. Mena drops five spots to No. 8 and Huntsville enters the rankings for the first time this year.
1. POTTSVILLE (11-3-3)
Previous rank: No. 1
Last week: def. Ozark 3-0; def. Heber Springs 3-0
This week: vs. Morrilton Tuesday; vs. Clinton Thursday
Kylee Mathis had 21 assists 14 digs in both matches. Caroline Kennedy had 20 assists, 4 digs and 4 aces. Ella Drown and Marlo Hollis combined for 20 kills and 5 aces vs. Heber Springs.
2. BAPTIST PREP (13-8)
Previous rank: No. 2
Last week: def. LISA Academy West 3-0; def. Joe T. Robinson 3-0
This week: vs. Mayflower Monday; vs. Bauxite Tuesday; at Pulaski Academy Thursday
Big week with a match against 3A Mayflower and two 4A-5 Conference matches.
3. JONESBORO WESTSIDE (15-2-2)
Previous rank: No. 5
Last week: def. Paragould 3-0; def. Brookland 3-2; def. Crowley’s Ridge Academy 3-0; Hot Springs Lakeside MTXE Tournament: def. Mount St. Mary 2; def. Lake Hamilton 2-0. Gold bracket: lost 2-0 to Hackett
This week: at Greene County Tech Monday; vs. Highland Thursday
Lady Warriors take down Mount St. Mary at the Lakeside tournament, but fall to Hackett in gold bracket.
“They were killing us with their speed and with their big hitters and blockers. We’re a smaller team and have trouble with teams that have a high reach on their block. We take that back to the gym and work on it.” — Jonesboro Westside head coach Cody Zeigler.
4. BAUXITE (13-4-3)
Previous rank: No. 7
Last week: def. Magnolia 3-0; def. Mills 3-0; def. LISA Academy West 3-0; Lakeside MTXE Invitational: def. Sylvan Hills 2-0; tied Hackett 1-1; def. Wynne 2-0. Gold bracket: def. Lake Hamilton 2-0; lost 2-0 to Valley View
This week: vs. Smackover Monday; at No. 2 Baptist Prep Tuesday. Paris Lady Eagle Invitational; vs. Lavaca, vs. Paris, vs. Lamar
Lady Miners led Valley View by six points in the first set before losing 25-23.
“Not really a letdown. The biggest thing we’ve struggled with is staying consistent and when you let a team eat into their lead, it’s hard to come back from. We needed today’s tournament a lot. We had a week of not really tough competitive games which is part of conference play. We knew we needed to play some top teams in the state and get better and play at a faster pace.” — Bauxite head coach Haley Nelson
5. BROOKLAND (11-8-1)
Previous rank: No. 8
Last week: def. Benton 3-1; lost 3-2 to Jonesboro Westside Tuesday; Hot Springs Lakeside MTXE Tournament: tied Hot Springs 1-1, def. Greene County Tech 2-0; def. Little Rock Hall 2-0; def. Mena 2-1; lost 2-0 to Brookland.
This week: at Paragould Monday, at Highland Tuesday; at Blytheville Thursday
Lady Bearcats making strides as evidenced by victories over Benton and Mena. They led Hackett 8-3 in the first set before falling 25-22 and 25-21.
“I am very proud and gave them goals one of which is not get down. To get ahead and stay ahead and we did that. In that last set, we got behind and kept fighting. Just because you get a lead, you have to fight to keep it.” — Brookland head coach Katie Dillon.
6. PULASKI ACADEMY (8-3)
Previous rank: No. 4
Last week: def. Joe T. Robinson 3-0
This week: vs. Mills Monday; vs. LISA Academy West Tuesday; vs. Baptist Prep Thursday
Three 4A-5 Conference matches on top for Lady Bruins this week.
7. PRAIRIE GROVE (14-4-1)
Previous rank: No. 6
Last week: def. Elkins 3-2; vs. Gentry Tuesday, ppd.; Prairie Grove Invitational: def. Ozark 2-0; lost 2-0 to Mansfield, def. Green Forest 2-0. Silver bracket: def. Pea Ridge 2-0; def. No. 9 Clarksville 2-0
This week: vs. Life Way Christian Monday; vs. Green Forest Tuesday; vs. Berryville Thursday
Avery Mann had 89 assists, 36 digs and 11 kills in the Prairie Grove Invitational. Emerson Ruley had 26 digs, 17 kills and 6 aces. Kaydence Jinks had 32 kills, 24 digs and 7 aces. McKinzley Umfleet had 6 aces and 16 digs. Emma Hix had 15 kills and 5 blocks. Macy Stewart had 24 digs.
8. MENA (13-5)
Previous rank: No. 3
Last week: def. Malvern 3-0; lost 3-0 to Hackett Thursday; Lakeside MTXE Tournament: def. Beebe 3-0; lost 3-0 to Valley View. Gold bracket: lost 2-1 to No. 8 Brookland
This week: vs. Waldron Tuesday; vs. Arkadelphia Thursday. Paris Lady Eagle Invitational: vs. Dover, vs. Conway Christian, vs. Mansfield
Lady Bearcats have Conway Christian and Mansfield in their pool at the Paris tournament.
“We weren’t clicking today. We hadn’t playing like that. We have some things to fix this week. I feel like we’re little sluggish. We have Monday off and a few days off to rest.” — Mena head coach Heather Pate Goss.
9. CLARKSVILLE (13-7–2)
Previous rank: No. 9
Last week: def. Heber Springs 3-1; def. Clinton 3-0; Prairie Grove Invitational: tied Charleston 1-1; def. Gravette 2-0; lost 2-0 to Fort Smith Northside. Gold bracket: def. Charleston 2-1; lost 2-0 to Prairie Grove
This week: at Ozark Tuesday; at Morrilton Thursday
Addison Phillips had 49 digs and 5 assists vs. Heber Springs and Clinton. Baylor Pasley had 24 kills those two matches. Alex Rodriguez had 34 assists in both matches.
10. HUNTSVILLE (9-3)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week: def. Green Forest 3-0; def. Pea Ridge 3-0
This week: vs. Gravette Tuesday
Lady Eagles have won four in a row and only losses this season are to Prairie Grove, Hackett and Farmington.
DROPPED OUT
No. 10 Wynne
3A
Episcopal Collegiate sweeps Harding Academy to maintain its top spot in the polls.
The big mover is Mansfield which won the Prairie Grove Invitational by not dropping a set and beating Class 6A Fort Smith Northside 2-0 for the championship.
1. EPISCOPAL COLLEGIATE (11-3)
Previous rank: No. 1
Last week: def. No. 2 Harding Academy 3-0; def. Rose Bud 3-0
This week: vs. Bald Knob Tuesday; vs. Riverview Thursday
“Tonight was a great match vs Harding. We are extremely proud of our undefeated success so far. We made it our team and season goal to not settle or get comfortable. We can always continue to grow and get better so we make that our focus going into every match knowing we are a favored team to beat. Harding is a great team and they fought extremely hard. We finished with a higher hitting percentage and were able to maintain the speed of our offense due to our passing. We played mentally tough and clean. I’m most proud of the confidence we pulled out in the third set when playing point for point at the end. We know it’s always a possible win or loss, but it’s your choice whether you do it with confidence or by being timid and we played with confidence. I couldn’t be more proud of our entire team. We couldn’t do what we do without each teammate.” — Episcopal Collegiate head coach Paige Gantar
2. HARDING ACADEMY (9-4)
Previous rank: No. 2
Last week: def. Wynne 3-1; lost 3-0 to No. 1 Episcopal Collegiate; def. LISA Academy North 3-0
This week: vs. Sheridan Monday; vs. Riverview Tuesday; at Maumelle Charter Thursday
“Episcopal is a really great team that doesn’t give you any free points. We competed very well all night and came up short in all three sets. They’re a team that you can learn a lot about yourself from playing them and that is exactly what we are going to do and only get better from here on. They are a team that you have to be aggressive against and you have to go out and find different creative ways to beat.” — Harding Academy head coach Matthew Francis on the loss to Episcopal Collegiate.
3. MANSFIELD (18-4)
Previous rank: No. 4
Last week: def. Elkins 3-0; def. No. 10 Lavaca 3-1 Prairie Grove Invitational: def. Prairie Grove 2-0; def. Ozark 2-0; def. Green Forest 2-0. Gold bracket: def. Lincoln 2-0; def. Fort Smith Northside 2-0
This week: vs. Thaden Tuesday; at West Fork Thursday. Paris Lady Eagle Invitational: vs. Mena, vs. Dover, vs. Conway Christian
Mansfield picking up steam as season heads into October.
“We competed extremely well this weekend against some great teams. Our team chemistry looks really good and I am very excited with how the girls are playing. We continue to get better each week and these girls have the desire and will to win. The championship game against a very talented Northside team, was a constant back and forth point for point game and the girls showed that they can handle the pressure and compete at a high level. I’m very proud of our mental toughness and competitiveness this weekend! We’re ready to close out the last two weeks of conference play!” — Mansfield head coach Kaylie Andrews
4. CENTRAL ARKANSAS CHRISTIAN (11-8-1)
Previous rank: No. 6
Last week: def. Bald Knob 3-0; def. Riverside 3-0
This week: at Haskell Harmony Grove Monday; vs. Bald Knob Tuesday
Mia Adams had 14 kills, 31 assists and 10 aces in both matches. Kayla Myers had 21 kills, 26 assists and 11 digs in both matches.
5. CONWAY CHRISTIAN (10-7)
Previous rank: No. 8
Last week: def. No. 5 Mayflower 3-2; lost 3-0 to at Paris Tuesday; def. Lamar 3-0
This week: at Perryville Monday; vs. Dover Tuesday; vs. Booneville Thursday. Paris Lady Eagle Invitational: vs. Mena, vs. Dover, vs. Mansfield
6. MAYFLOWER (13-6-1)
Previous rank: No. 5
Last week: lost 3-2 to No. 8 Conway Christian Monday; def. Booneville 3-0; def. Atkins 3-0
This week: at Baptist Prep Monday; vs. Perryville Thursday. Paris Lady Eagle Invitational: vs. Hackett, vs. Harrisburg, vs. Morrilton
Lydia Matthews tops 1,000 career kills with 45 kills in 3 matches this week. Jordan Fusilier had 25 kills and 20 digs. Miranda Leslie had 52 digs and 13 assists. Chloe Whittington had 40 assists, 9 digs and 4 kills vs. Conway Christian.
7. HASKELL HARMONY GROVE (16-3-1)
Previous rank: No. 8
Last week: def. No. 3 Harrisburg 2-0; def. Dover 2-0; def. Pulaski County Homeschool 3-0;; def. Cossatot River 3-0
This week: vs. Central Arkansas Christian Monday; vs. Magnolia Tuesday; vs. Camden Harmony Grove Thursday
Lady Cardinals have a big one on Monday vs. Central Arkansas Christian.
8. HARRISBURG (10-9-2)
Previous rank: No. 3
Last week: lost 2-0 to Benton Harmony Grove Monday; lost 2-0 to Dover; def. Manila 3-0
This week: vs. Walnut Ridge Monday; at Crowley’s Ridge Academy Tuesday; vs. Helena Thursday. Paris Lady Eagle Invitational: vs. Hackett, vs. Morrilton, vs. Mayflower
Cassie Carlson returns from injury and has 17 kills vs. Manila. Brae Faulkner and Sophia Moore combine for 26 assists.
9. CROWLEY’S RIDGE ACADEMY (10-5)
Previous rank: No. 9
Last week: def. West Helena Central 3-0; lost 3-0 to Jonesboro Westside; Jonesboro Hurricane Play Day: lost 2-0 to Bartlett (Tenn.), def. Palestine Wheatley 2-0; def. Trumann 2-0. Silver bracket: def. Nettleton for silver bracket
This week: at Hoxie Monday; vs. Harrisburg Tuesday; vs. Newport Thursday
“The girls fought hard all day. They are beginning to believe in themselves and are playing with a lot more confidence. I’m super proud of their teamwork and the energy they are bringing right now.” — Crowley’s Ridge Academy head coach Royce McMillon
10. LAVACA (10-5)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week: lost 3-1 to No. 4 Mansfield Thursday
This week: at Lincoln, Monday; vs. Elkins Tuesday; vs. Charleston Thursday. Paris Lady Eagle Invitational: vs. Paris, vs. Bauxite, Lamar
Wednesday’s postponed match with Lincoln means Golden Arrows have three matches this week plus the Lady Eagle Invitational.
2A
Hackett continues to play teams in higher classes and distinguish itself.
That was the case as the Lady Hornets lost 2-0 (25-22, 25-23) in the finals of the Hot Springs Lakeside MTXE Tournament.
This week, Hackett heads to the Paris Lady Eagle Invitational where it will face Class 3A teams Harrisburg and Mayflower and Morrilton from 4A.
1. HACKETT (16-4-2)
Previous rank: No. 1
Last week: def. Guy-Perkins 3-0; def. Mulberry 3-0; def. Mena 3-0; Hot Springs Lakeside MTXE Tournament: tied Wynne 1-1; tied Bauxite 1-1; def. Sylvan Hills 2-0. Gold bracket: def. Jonesboro Westside 2-0; def. Brookland 2-0; lost 2-0 to Valley View
This week: at Shiloh Christian Monday; vs. Southside Bee Branch Tuesday; vs. Pea Ridge Thursday.
“I could not be more prouder of them. They played with such intensity and never gave up and got better in each moment. They played so much harder in bracket play and challenged themselves. I told them before this game to get better, regardless of the outcome. I thought we played them all the way to the end.” — Hackett head coach Bridget Freeman.
2. TAYLOR (18-2-1)
Previous rank: No. 2
Last week: def. Hooks (Texas) 3-2; def. Foreman 3-0
This week: vs. Emerson Tuesday; vs. Mineral Springs Thursday
Kendall Hamlin had 22 kills in both matches. Macy Downs had 23 kills. Kallie McHenry had 13 digs, 5 aces and 31 assists vs. Hooks. Genna Braswell had 18 digs and 4 aces vs. Hooks.
3. CONWAY ST. JOSEPH (16-3)
Previous rank: No. 4
Last week: def. Scott Charter 3-0; def. Cutter Morning Star 3-0; def. Mountain Pine 3-0
This week: vs. Maumelle Charter Monday; vs. Magnet Cove Tuesday
Emily Nabholz had 12 kills against Cutter Morning Star while Kinley Freyaldenhoven had 7 kills and 5 aces.
4. ENGLAND (8-2)
Previous rank: No. 3
Last week: def. Jacksonville Lighthouse 3-0
This week: vs. LISA Academy North Monday; at Cutter Morning Star Tuesday; vs. Mountain Pine Thursday
England takes advantage of its only match of the week.
5. COTTER (10-0)
Previous rank: No. 5
Last week: def. Marshall 3-0
This week: at Izard County Monday; at Alpena Tuesday
Myah McNutt had 17 kills, 6 digs, 4 blocks and 2 aces vs. Marshall while Kenna Collins had 10 kills and 7 digs. Reagan Cowart had 26 assists and Riley Brotherton had 11 digs and 5 kills.
