Coverage presented by Arkansas Select Volleyball.
6A
The last time, the Conway Wampus Cats failed to win the 6A-Central was the 2019 season when they finished 10-4 in conference play and Jonesboro won the conference title with a 14-0 conference record.
Tuesday night, the 6A Central could be on the line when No. 1 Cabot (23-1, 8-0) hosts No. 4 Conway (18-4, 7-1) The Lady Panthers defeated the Lady Cats twice this year. The first time was on Aug. 30 in the Bentonville Early Bird Invitational with a 25-21, 25-20 victory. The second time came on Sept. 11 when Cabot won 25-20, 25-23, 15-25, 27-25 at Buzz Bolding Arena in Conway to take the early lead in the 6A-Central race.
A victory for Cabot would give the Lady Panthers a two-match lead with three to play. A victory for Conway would even the race, bringing in tiebreakers such as sets won and points differential.
Both coaches know this is a huge match.
“We know Conway will come well prepared and motivated,” said Cabot head coach Anna Robertson. “Earlier this season we were able to come out on top, and we understand this is a completely new challenge. We have played several tough opponents throughout our season and have continued to grow and be persistent in our game. Playing at home in front of our fans gives us great energy and we’re looking forward to it.”
Conway head coach Laura Crow said, “Cabot is a great team. They are really strong this year and well coached. We are working hard to prepare for our match this coming Tuesday. Our focus this year has been one at a time. We have been working in practice today and will again on Monday on some things we need fine tune before Tuesday.”
1. CABOT (23-1)
Previous rank: No. 1
Last week: def. No. 9 Jonesboro 3-0; def. Benton 3-1; def. Little Rock Southwest 3-0
This week: vs. No. 4 Conway Tuesday; vs. No. 7 Little Rock Central Thursday. Conway Lady Cat Invitational: vs. Mountain Home, vs. Jonesboro Westside
“Benton is a strong program with a tradition of winning. For our girls to step up and earn this win shows the growth and belief we’ve been building. This victory means a lot for our players and program.” — Cabot head coach Anna Robertson on the victory over Benton.
2. BENTONVILLE (21-2)
Previous rank: No. 2
Last week: def. Rogers 3-1; def. No. 6 Fort Smith Southside 3-0; def. No. 7 Springdale Har-Ber 3-1
This week: at Shiloh Christian Monday; at Rogers Heritage Thursday
Lady Tigers meet defending 5A champions Monday night.
“We’re looking forward to facing Shiloh — it’s always exciting to step outside of conference play. They’re a young team with lots of talent, and our girls are ready to compete and keep improving with every match. It’s great to play someone new and see how we stack up.” — Bentonville head coach Hannah Berry on facing Shiloh Christian.
3. FAYETTEVILLE (15-2)
Previous rank: No. 3
Last week: def. No. 5 Bentonville West 3-0; def. Rogers 3-0
This week: vs. No. 6 Fort Smith Southside Tuesday; at No. 8 Springdale Har-Ber Thursday; at Ozark (Mo.) Invitational: vs. Lafayette (Mo.); vs. Jefferson City (Mo.); vs. Eureka (Mo.); vs. Ozark (Mo.); vs. Borgia (Mo.)
Five Missouri-based teams that Fayetteville faces have a combined record of 81-22-4 with Lafayette holding a 21-1 record and Ozark 23-0.
4. CONWAY (18-4)
Previous rank: No. 4
Last week: def. Little Rock Southwest 3-0; def. North Little Rock 3-0
This week: at No. 1 Cabot Tuesday; Lady Cat Invitational Saturday: vs. Wynne, vs. Siloam Springs
In addition to the conference showdown with Cabot, Lady Cats host a 24-team tournament that features two other defending state champions in Shiloh Christian and Brookland; one runner-up in Wynne and three teams ranked No. 1 in their respective classes: Cabot, Pottsville and Episcopal Collegiate.
5. BENTONVILLE WEST (12-8)
Previous rank: No. 5
Last week: def. Rogers Heritage 3-0; lost 3-0 to No. 4 Fayetteville; def. Springdale 3-0
This week: at Rogers Monday; vs. No. 10 Fort Smith Northside Thursday. Conway Lady Cat Invitational Saturday: vs. Benton, vs. Pulaski Academy
Audrey Calva had 14 kills and 14 digs vs. Fayetteville. Jayden Gribble and Olivia Gribble combined for 36 assists. Calva and Claire Schofield combined for 23 of the team’s 34 kills vs. Rogers Heritage.
6. FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE (16-5-1)
Previous rank: No. 6
Last week: def. Springdale Har-Ber 3-2; lost 3-0 to Bentonville; def. Rogers Heritage 3-0
This week: at No. 3 Fayetteville Tuesday; vs. Springdale Thursday. Conway Lady Cat Invitational Saturday: vs. Baptist Prep, vs. Vilonia
Hayden McCain had 34 assists, Ella Shelby had 42 digs and Julia Suggs had 46 assists during the week.
7. LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL (13-3)
Previous rank: No. 8
Last week: def. North Little Rock 3-0; def. Little Rock Parkview 3-0
This week: at Bryant Tuesday; at No. 1 Cabot Thursday; at Conway Lady Cat Invitational Saturday: vs. Russellville, vs. Brookland
Maddy Sledge had 12 digs vs. North Little Rock while Sydney Crower had 4 kills and 13 assists.
8. SPRINGDALE HAR-BER (11-10)
Previous rank: No. 7
Last week: lost 3-2 to No. 6 Fort Smith Southside Monday; def. Springdale 3-0; lost to No. 2 Bentonville 3-1
This week: at No. 10 Fort Smith Northside Tuesday; vs. No. 3 Fayetteville Thursday. Conway Lady Cat Invitational Saturday: vs. Bauxite, Mount St. Mary
Leighton Keyes had 25 kills and 41 digs during the week. Joely Tankerlsey had 24 digs and 2 aces vs. Fort Smith Southside and Reese Davis had 45 assists, 7 aces and 16 digs vs. Lady Mavericks. Beaux Cameron had 22 kills in two matches. Emory Bertrand had 14 digs and 17 assists vs. Springdale.
9. JONESBORO (13-7-1)
Previous rank: No. 9
Last week: lost 3-0 to Cabot; lost 3-0 to Bryant
This week: at Jonesboro Westside Monday; vs. North Little Rock Thursday. Conway Lady Cat Invitational: vs. Episcopal Collegiate, vs. Shiloh Christian
Battle of Jonesboro set for Monday.
“We’re excited to play a good Westside program. They have a lot of momentum and talent. I think it will be a great game.” — Jonesboro head coach Canaan Grosbeck
10. FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE (17-13)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week: def. Springdale 3-0; def Rogers 3-0. Edmond (Okla.) Memorial Tournament: def. Norman (Okla.) North 2-0; lost 2-0 to Oklahoma City Storm; lost to Edmond Memorial 2-0; def. Moore (Okla.) 2-1; lost 2-0 to Edmond Memorial; def. Bishop (Okla.) Kelley 2-0
This week: vs. No. 8 Springdale Har-Ber Tuesday; at No. 5 Bentonville West Thursday
Lady Bears go 3-4 in Oklahoma. Freshman Paisley Hogan had 82 kills during the week.
DROPPED OUT
No. 10 Rogers
5A
No. 1 in Class 5A and the 5A-East could be at stake on Thursday night when No. 1 Marion (18-2, 11-0) hosts No. 1 Valley View (19-4, 8-2)
Marion won the previous matchup 25-22, 25-22, 17-25, 25-21 on Sept. 11. A victory for Marion gives the Lady Patriots a season sweep of the Lady Blazers. Valley View, which lost 3-2 to Mountain Home on Sept. 16, needs the victory to stay even in the conference to have a chance of earning the No. 1 seed for the state tournament.
A year ago, both teams split their two meetings and shared the conference title at 14-2, but Valley View was the No. 1 seed based on the number of sets on in head-to-head competition.
Valley View has won 10 matches in a row and Marion has won nine in a row.
CLASS 5A
1. VALLEY VIEW (19-4)
Previous rank: No. 1
Last week: def. Paragould 3-1
This week: vs. West Memphis Tuesday; at No. 2 Marion Thursday
Audrey Butler had 13 kills and 6 digs in victory over Paragould. Carleigh Culler had 9 kills, 1 ace, 14 digs and 1 block. Bonnie Fagan hit .400 with 8 kills and 5 blocks. Mary Kate Reese had 2 kills, 2 aces, 46 assists and 14 digs. Lynnli Jo Thomas had 31 digs. Kate Calhoon had 14 kills, 5 digs and 4 blocks
2. MARION (18-2)
Previous rank: No. 2
Last week: def. Nettleton 3-0; def. Batesville 3-0
This week: at Brookland Monday; at Paragould Tuesday; vs. No. 1 Valley View Thursday
Kennedy Bullins had 24 kills and 7 blocks in both matches while Kendall Brown had 22 kills and 4 blocks. Taylor Chamness had 30 assists.
3. VAN BUREN (12-5-1)
Previous rank: No. 3
Last week: def. Alma 3-1; def. Shiloh Christian 3-1
This week: at No. 5 Farmington Tuesday; vs. Harrison Thursday
Lady Pointers have won 10 in a row, but need a win at Farmington to have a shot of winning the 5A-West.
4. MOUNT ST. MARY (17-5–1)
Previous rank: No. 4
Last week: def. Little Rock Parkview 3-0; def. No. 9 Greenbrier 3-0
This week: vs. Jacksonville Tuesday; vs. Sylvan Hills Thursday. Conway Lady Cat Invitational: vs. Bauxite, vs. Springdale Har-Ber
“When talent meets talent, talent is no longer enough; it’s about character, preparation and culture; It’s about winning moments on and off the court, together.” — Mount St. Mary assistant coach Jeremy Necco on the win over Greenbrier.
5. FARMINGTON (17-5-1)
Previous rank: No. 5
Last week: def. Shiloh Christian 3-1; def. Alma 3-1
This week: vs. No. 3 Van Buren Tuesday; at Siloam Springs Thursday
Farmington faces conference’s hottest team and a victory can help them secure the 5A-West.
“Honestly, we approach each game the same. We will prepare by putting in the work in practice to refine our game against Van Buren. They are a tough opponent. We have had to handle some adversity this week, we have had players step up into new roles. I am just really proud of our response. We focus on taking care of our side of the net and taking each game one at a time.” — Farmington head coach Kylie Moad on the match with Van Buren
6. BENTON (13-5)
Previous rank: No. 6
Last week: def. Sheridan 3-0; lost 3-1 to Cabot; def. El Dorado 3-0
This week: vs. El Dorado Tuesday; at Texarkana Thursday. Conway Lady Cat Invitational Saturday: vs. Pulaski Academy, vs. Bentonville West
“We fought and we kept it interesting for a while.” — Benton head coach Michelle Shoppach on the loss to Cabot.
7. SHILOH CHRISTIAN (12-8-1)
Previous rank: No. 7
Last week: def. Hackett 3-0; lost to Farmington 3-1 lost 3-1 to Van Buren
This week: vs. Bentonville Monday; vs. Alma Tuesday; at Russellville Thursday. Conway Lady Cat Invitational Saturday: vs. Jonesboro, vs. Episcopal Collegiate
“We are looking forward to playing another tough opponent in our loaded schedule. Bentonville is one of the top programs year in and year out, and they have an extremely talented team this year. My team will be ready to compete and we are excited to host Bentonville on Monday.” — Shiloh Christian head coach Nathan Bodenstein on meeting Bentonville
8. SILOAM SPRINGS (11-7)
Previous rank: No. 8
Last week: def. Russellville 3-0; def. Greenwood 3-1
This week: at Harrison Tuesday; vs. Farmington Thursday. Conway Lady Cat Invitational Saturday: vs. Conway, vs. Wynne
Haley Thomas had 57 assists and 28 digs in both matches. Cenzi Johnson and 50 digs and 9 aces. Isabel Suarez had 31 digs and 17 kills. Erika Ellis had 26 kills and 27 digs.
9. LITTLE ROCK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (13-5)
Previous rank: No. 10
Last week: def. Bryant 3-0; def. Jacksonville 3-0; def. Sylvan Hills 3-1
This week: vs. No. 10 Hot Springs Lakeside Monday; at Vilonia Thursday. Conway Lady Cat Invitational: vs. Bryant, vs. Pottsville
Lady Warriors have chance to add to resume with at least three matches against teams out of the 5A-Central.
10. HOT SPRINGS LAKESIDE MTXE (10-6-2)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week: def. White Hall 3-0; def. Texarkana 3-0
This week: at No. 9 Little Rock Christian Academy; at Hot Springs Tuesday; vs. Benton Thursday
Strength of schedule keeps Lady Rams in the rankings. London Jackson returns from getting her tooth pulled and had 27 kills and 23 digs in both matches. Laynie Throgmartin and 37 assists and 9 digs. Tristyn Oswalt had 22 assists and 7 digs. Baryett Janes had 14 kills, 33 digs and 4 aces.
DROPPED OUT
No. 9 Greenbrier
