Coverage presented by Arkansas Select Volleyball.
6A
Since the second week of the season, either Bentonville (30-3, 15-1 6A-West) and Cabot (30-2, 12-0 6A-Central), have occupied the top two spots in the rankings.
Both teams faced each other three times this season. At the Bentonville Early Bird Invitational on Aug. 30. Bentonville defeated Cabot 2-1 in the tournament finals after losing 2-1 in pool play Two weeks later, Cabot won 2-1 in the finals of the LRCA Classic.
Both teams won their conference titles and are on opposite sides of the bracket, which means a fourth meeting would take play in the 6A Finals at BankOzk Arena in Hot Springs.
While a lot of people might focused on Bentonville and Cabot. The two teams that that won the past five state championships — Fayetteville (23-5, 14-2 6A-West) and Conway (27-5, 10-2 6A-Central) — are teams not to sleep on after finishing second in their conferences.
Bentonville West (20-11, 9-7 6A-West) knocked off Bentonville 3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-16, 15-17) in the regular season finale. They also knocked off Cabot 2-1 in the Conway Lady Cat Invitational on Oct. 10. Are they the team that could spoil things for Bentonville? A potential matchup would take place in the quarterfinals. Only time will tell.
“I think we just need to execute better,” said Bentonville head coach Hannah Berry. “We were a little off on our offense and blocking. I think it was good for us, a little wake up call.”
Bentonville West head coach Britney Davis said, “We played without no fear and a lot of grit. This was the perfect win to go into the state tournament on Monday.”
Another dark horse is Little Rock Central (19-6, 8-4 6A-Central), whose six losses have come to Cabot (2), Bentonville, Conway (2) and Bentonville West.
1. CABOT (30-2)
Previous rank: No. 1
Last week: def. North Little Rock 3-1; def. Hot Springs Lakeside 3-2
This week: Class 6A state tournament at Cabot: vs. No. 8 Springdale Har-Ber/Bryant Tuesday
“I’m really proud of how we finished conference and the regular season. It has been a great accomplishment to be the number one seed in the tough 6A-Central. We know the real work starts tomorrow. Hosting the state tournament is special, we’re excited for the opportunity to continue post season at home in front of our fans.” — Cabot head coach Anna Robertson
2. BENTONVILLE (30-3)
Previous rank: No. 2
Last week: def. No. 3 Fayetteville 3-0; lost 3-2 to No. 6 Bentonville West
This week: Class 6A state tournament at Cabot: vs. No. 5 Bentonville West/No. 9 Jonesboro Tuesday
“We played super solid and consistent tonight. We ran a pretty balanced offense and were able to feed the ball to everyone. Really proud of how they played and got one more game to focus on to finish off conference.” — Bentonville head coach Hannah Berry on the victory over Fayetteville.
3. FAYETTEVILLE (23-5)
Previous rank: No. 3
Last week: lost to No. 2 Bentonville T3-0; def. No. 10 Fort Smith Northside 3-2
This week: Class 6A state tournament at Cabot: vs. No. 6 Little Rock Central/Rogers Tuesday
“Bentonville is such a solid defensive team and put a lot of pressure on us with their serves. We hope to learn from our match and move forward. We look to Thursday and the quarterfinals next Tuesday.” — Fayetteville head coach Jessica Phelan on the loss to Bentonville
4. CONWAY (27-5)
Previous rank: No. 4
Last week: def. Bryant 3-0; def. Benton 3-2
This week: Class 6A state tournament at Cabot: vs. No. 7 Fort Smith Southside/North Little Rock Tuesday
“This was a great match for us to play on the road in a loud environment to get ready for the State Tournament next week. Our hitters did a good job of mixing up their shots and really hitting the holes. Both teams were serving extremely tough and it was good for our back row to see that in serve receive. Our setters played great defense in the right back spot and we adjusted in the angle and seams well. We are looking forward to next week. Just trying to mentally prepare and fine tune a few things.” — Conway head coach Laura Crow on the victory over Benton
5. BENTONVILLE WEST (20-11)
Previous rank: No. 6
Last week: lost 3-1 to No. 8 Springdale Har-Ber Tuesday; def. No. 2 Bentonville 3-2
This week: Class 6A state tournament at Cabot: vs. No. 9 Jonesboro Monday
“Our girls played incredible defense against Bentonville’s dominate offense. Our rivalry is intense so our teams always play at a very high level. I was so proud of my girls for playing West volleyball. Our focus has been to play for the girl next to you and they sure did that tonight. Laney Chilton, our libero, had an outstanding night. She was everywhere and kept us in system. Audrey Calva and Addi Thurber were very aggressive on the outside and their serve -receive was very consistent and we trusted them in the back to put us in good situations. Our right sides Claire Hammond and Claire Schofield had some incredible blocks tonight that were momentum swings. We won the game with a monster block in the fifth set from our freshman RH, Claire Hammond. I am so proud of their fight.” — Bentonville West head coach Britney Davis on the victory over Bentonville.
6. LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL (19-6)
Previous rank: No. 7
Last week: def. No. 9 Jonesboro 3-0; def. Valley View 3-0
This week: Class 6A state tournament at Cabot: vs. No. 10 Rogers Monday
“It was a great win for us going into the state tournament. I think Valley View is a great team and beating them 3-0 helped us gain some confidence for next week.” — Little Rock Central head coach Markie Alberius on the victory over Valley View
7. FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE (22-8-1)
Previous rank: No. 5
Last week: lost 3-2 to Rogers; def. Bryant 3-1
This week: Class 6A state tournament at Cabot: vs. North Little Rock Monday
“We had two big 5 set matches last week where we weathered big momentum shifts and came out on top! Rogers was another great 6A fight to end. The Mounties played great, and we fought to the last point.” — Fort Smith Southside head coach Natalie Throneberry on the loss to Rogers
8. SPRINGDALE HAR-BER (18-12)
Previous rank: No. 8
Last week: def. No. 6 Bentonville West 3-1; def. Rogers Heritage 3-0
This week: Class 6A state tournament at Cabot: vs. Bryant Monday
“We are really excited stepping into next week. We are confident about our second round of conference and the growth that we have had leading up to this week. The kids have worked so hard to get to this point and I’m ready to see what they accomplish!” — Springdale Har-Ber head coach Cassie Loyd
9. JONESBORO (16-10-1)
Previous rank: No. 9
Last week: lost 3-0 to No. 7 Little Rock Central Tuesday; def. Greene County Tech 3-0
This week: Class 6A state tournament at Cabot: vs. No. 5 Bentonville West Monday
“We are looking forward to continuing our season and I have no doubt we will surprise some people.” — Jonesboro head coach Canaan Groesbeck
10. ROGERS (15-14-2)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week: def. No. 5 Fort Smith Southside 3-2; def. Springdale 3-1
This week: Class 6A state tournament at Cabot: vs. No. 6 Little Rock Central Monday
“I think all year we have shown growth and improvement with us being such a young team. Our kids are starting to understand the game better and how to generate points from smart plays. We spend a lot of time breaking the game down on film and at practice. We are peaking at the right time and I hope that we continue to show the state that we are a completely different team this season and that you can’t underestimate us. I know a lot of people expected us to drop to Southside and I just kept preaching to my kids that anything can happen in this conference and that I believed in them. It has been amazing to watch the growth and development of our kids since summer. I am excited to see what happens next week and I know our kids are hungry to prove themselves.” — Rogers head coach Christina Lawrence.
DROPPED OUT
No. 10 Fort Smith Northside
5A
Ten years have passed since Marion last won a state championship.
The Lady Patriots (24-2, 16-0 5A-East) are in prime position to bring home the school’s fourth state championship. Not only is Marion hosting the 5A-State Tournament, but the Lady Patriots haven’t lost to an in-state opponent this year.
Marion only two losses have come to two teams from Tennessee. They lost 3-1 (21-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-21) to Collierville (25-11) on Aug. 26, They also fell to Houston (29-15), 2-1 (25-17, 18-25, 15-7) at the River City Classic in Bartlett, Tenn., on Sept. 6, which happened the be the Lady Patriots’ last loss of the season.
Marion would defeat Collierville 3-1 (25-21, 19-25, 25-16, 25-16) on Sept. 18.
Valley View (24-6, 13-3 5A-East) which opened the season ranked No. 1 and has 16 state championships, is never one to sleep on. Farmington (23-5-1, 14-0 5A-West) and Mount St. Mary (23-80-1, 16-0 6A-Central) went undefeated in the conference schedules and Mount St. Mary defeated Valley View in the finals of Spikefest on Sept. 6. Benton (21-9, 13-1 5A-South) and Shiloh Christian (19-14-1, 10-4 5A-West) which won the past three state titles, had to replace lots of experience and played tough schedules.
1. MARION (24-2)
Previous rank: No. 1
Last week: def. Mountain Home 3-0; def. Searcy 3-0
This week: Class 5A state tournament at Marion: vs. Sylvan Hills Monday
“We are excited and ready for next week. These young ladies have put in the work, they are playing for each other and with each other, and are locked in.” — Marion head coach Lisa Beasley
2. VALLEY VIEW (24-6)
Previous rank: No. 2
Last week: def. Searcy 3-0; lost 3-0 to Little Rock Central
This week: Class 5A state tournament at Marion: vs. No. 6 Little Rock Christian Academy Monday
“Central is a tough gym to play in with their low ceilings and rafters. They’re a fast and athletic team and should do well in their respective state tournament. Excited for getting our state tournament started on Monday. This is what we have worked for our whole season. Leaving it all out on the floor every set will be worth the outcome.” — Valley View head coach Margie McGee
3. FARMINGTON (23-5-1)
Previous rank: No. 5
Last week: def. Greenwood 3-0; def. Shiloh Christian 3-0
This week: Class 5A state tournament at Marion: vs. Hot Springs Monday
“Winning the conference title is a huge moment for this team and our program. These girls have battled all season and to be undefeated in the 5A West is a huge accomplishment. This team makes me proud every single day, and now our sights are set on the state tournament. Our kids have worked hard for this, and we are ready.”
4. MOUNT ST. MARY (23-8–1)
Previous rank: No. 5
Last week: def. Beebe 3-0
This week: Class 5A state tournament at Marion: vs. Greene County Tech Monday
“We’re really proud of how the girls have played this year. They’ve put in a ton of hard work, and we feel like they’re ready and excited to make some big moves at state. At the end of the day, it’s all about who you’re matched up against, but we’re just excited for the competition and the chance to keep playing together. Our seniors have been such great leaders, and we’re focused on helping them finish strong and leave their mark in these last few games.” — Mount St. Mary head coach Olivia Stroud
5. VAN BUREN (16-7-1)
Previous rank: No. 6
Last week: def. Russellville 3-0; def. Alma 3-0
This week: Class 5A state tournament at Marion: vs. Hot Springs Lakeside Monday
“Our staff is extremely excited to get into the post season. We’ve had a strong showing during the gauntlet of the 5A West and feel well prepared to make our mark!” — Van Buren head coach Whitney Adams
6. LITTLE ROCK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (20-8)
Previous rank: No. 9
Last week: def. No. 6 Benton 3-1; def. Beebe 3-0; def. Maumelle 3-0
This week: Class 5A state tournament at Marion: vs. No. 2 Valley View Monday
“I thought my girls did a great job. We had to find that fight in us. We’d gain leads, drop the lead, gain leads, drop the lead. So that’s what we’re working for is not dropping leads and staying consistent. We have people working on specific things, We have a week to go and need to keep working on things. I think us playing Benton is a small rivalry going back to when we were in the same conference and battling for state. I love Coach Shoppach. We can get really good lead and try not to have one or two things break us. I’m excited to see our team play and work and get better til the very end.” — Little Rock Christian Academy head coach Lacey Rowan.
7. BENTON (21-9)
Previous rank: No. 5
Last week: lost 3-1 to No. 9 Little Rock Christian Academy; def. Hot Springs 3-0; lost 3-2 to Conway
This week: Class 5A state tournament at Marion: vs. No. 9 Shiloh Christian Monday
“We’re constantly learning. It’s wild the things I’ll say they look at me and have no idea as to what I’m talking about. I’m really pleased with how resilient and listening to what they want us to do. They’re trying to get there. I’m looking forward to next week. We’re so close to breaking through and if we do, I’ll be so, so happy.” — Benton head coach Michelle Shoppach
8. SILOAM SPRINGS (16-10)
Previous rank: No. 7
Last week: def. Alma 3-0; def. Russellville 3-0
This week: Class 5A state tournament at Marion: vs. Lake Hamilton Monday
“I am incredibly proud of our girls for their hard work and determination so far this season. We knew what we had to do to move up in seeding and we did a great job of playing better and better ball as the season has progressed so we’re excited to compete next week!” — Siloam Springs head coach Carrie Thammarath
9. SHILOH CHRISTIAN (19-14-1)
Previous rank: No. 8
Last week: def. Harrison 3-1; lost 3-0 to Farmington
This week: Class 5A state tournament at Marion: vs. No. 7 Benton Monday
“We are excited about this state tournament. What I love about the state tournament is that everyone is 0-0 and you only have to beat someone once. Everyone is good at this point and everyone is wanting the same thing. It is all about execution and playing with confidence. We are ready and are looking forward to defending last year’s state championship!” — Shiloh Christian head coach Nathan Bodenstein
NO. 10 GREENBRIER (16-12)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week: lost to Hot Springs Lakeside 3-2; def. Little Rock Parkview 3-0; def. Jacksonville 3-0
This week: Class 5A state tournament at Marion: vs. Paragould Monday
“We are looking forward to next week. We have a young group of girls that are excited about next week and ready to compete.” — Greenbrier head coach Katie Huff
