Coverage presented by Arkansas Select Volleyball.
So far, Bentonville and Cabot have been must-see watching when it comes to high school volleyball. At the Bentonville Early Bird Invitational, Cabot defeated the Lady Tigers 2-1 in pool play before falling 2-1 in the tournament finals.
Saturday night, in the finals of the LRCA Classic, Cabot lost the first set 25-19 before winning the second 25-22 and trailed 10-5 in the third set before winning 15-13 to win the tournament championship.
Both teams still have a lot of meaningful volleyball matches to play, Bentonville has two matches with Fayetteville (Sept. 23 at home and Oct. 21 at Fayetteville) along with a rematch with Fort Smith Southside on Sept. 30. The Tigers have a tournament in Kansas City at Blue Valley North on Oct. 18. Cabot plays at Little Rock Central on Tuesday, has a rematch with Conway on Oct. 7 and plays in the Lady Cat Invitational on Oct. 11.
Given how tight all three of the matches been, volleyball fans hope there Is a rematch in Class 6A state tournament which will be in Cabot or the state finals on Nov. 1 in Hot Springs.
“Most likely, this will not be the last time we see them this season. I was joking with one of their assistants that we’re tried of seeing them. They’re a fun team to play,” said Bentonville head coach Hannah Berry.
When asked if the two will meet again, Cabot head coach Anna Robertson said, “I hope so. I’d like to see them again in Cabot. That’s the plan or Hot Springs. We’ll see.”
6A
1. CABOT (16-1)
Previous rank: No. 2
Last week: def; Little Rock Southwest 3-0; def. No. 3 Conway 3-1 LRCA Classic Saturday: def. Harrisburg 2-0; def. Benton 2-0, def. Alma 2-0. Gold bracket: def. Baptist Prep 2-1; def. Little Rock Christian Academy 2-0; def. No. 1 Bentonville 2-1
This week: at No. 6 Little Rock Central Tuesday; vs. Bryant Thursday
“Leave it on the court. We were doing all the right things. In the set we lost, we had to do a little bit extra to get a couple more points. Our defense was on point. We stressed that our blockers needed to go where they need to. We needed to set up and keep the ball moving on offense. They fight hard for each other. We worked really hard to get to this point, There is a long season ahead of us, but we’re right where we need to be right now. We’re feeling good about this week, but we have a tough week ahead. We’ll celebrate tonight, but we have to play Central on Tuesday.” — Cabot head coach Anna Robertson on winning the LRCA Classic.
2. BENTONVILLE (14-2)
Previous rank: No. 1
Last week: def. Rogers Heritage 3-1. LRCA Classic: def. LR Christian 2-0; def. Mayflower 2-0; def. North Little Rock 2-0. Gold bracket: def. Bauxite 2-0; def No. 6 Little Rock Central 2-0; lost 2-1 to No. 2 Cabot
This week: at Springdale Tuesday; at No. 9 Fort Smith Northside Thursday
“We lost our legs, got tired, stopped swinging and stopped being aggressive. We were a little slow and Cabot was swinging hard the whole game. We stopped moving the ball a little bit. Our serve-receive broke down and they were serving at us so much that we were out of system. This needs to burn. We need to figure out how to adjust the next time we play them. We’re learning how to win under pressure and playing tough teams and finishing. We need to be put under pressure.” — Bentonville head coach Hannah Berry
3. FAYETTEVILLE (5-1)
Previous rank: No. 4
Last week: def. No. 5 Fort Smith Southside 3-1; def. No. 7 Springdale Har-Ber 3-1
This week: at Jenks (Okla.) Monday; vs. Rogers Heritage Tuesday; vs. Springdale Thursday
“Southside put a lot of pressure on us with their serving and defense. I was really proud of how we responded on the road and stayed gritty. We had a lot of people step up at big moments to keep us in the match.” — Fayetteville head coach Jessica Phelan
4. CONWAY (9-3)
Previous rank: No. 3
Last week: def. Hot Springs Lakeside 3-1; def. North Little Rock 3-0; lost 3-1 No. 2 Cabot
This week: at Baptist Prep Monday; vs. No. 6 Little Rock Central Thursday. Springfield (Mo,) Kickapoo Tournament Saturday: vs. Republic (Mo.), vs Ozark (Mo.) vs. Rock Bridge (Mo.)
“The Lady Cats lost a tough one tonight. I was super proud of the fight that we had to come back and win the third set. Cabot got a lead in the fourth and we fought to come back but couldn’t get over the hump. We will work on our offense and hitting around the block and defense pushing through balls laterally.” — Conway head coach Laura Crow on the loss to Cabot
5. FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE (10-3-1)
Previous rank: No. 5
Last week: def. Shiloh Christian 3-0; lost 3-1 to No. 4 Fayetteville; def. Springdale 3-0; Fort Smith Invitational Saturday: tied Farmington 1-1; def. Gravette 2-0; def. Little Rock Southwest 2-0. Gold bracket: def. Rogers 2-0; def. No. 10 Fort Smith Northside 2-0; lost 2-1 to Van Buren
This week: at Fort Smith Northside Tuesday; at Bentonville West Thursday. Saturday at Greenwood Play Day: vs. Greenwood, vs. Greenbrier
“We’ll start with a comment on our win yesterday (Monday vs. Shiloh Christian)! I think we have played some of our best volleyball in the last 48 hours. At times we are playing really steady, smart, consistent volleyball. Tonight was a battle. Fayetteville’s offense did a great job of playing consistent. We had some great moments tonight. A lot of hard work paying off. We just weren’t able to sustain it at the end of the third and fourth set like we needed to. We are making some much needed improvements with a lot of room to still grow.” — Fort Smith Southside head coach Natalie Throneberry
6. LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL (9-1)
Previous rank: No. 7
Last week: def. Baptist Prep 3-0; def. Bryant 3-1; LRCA Classic Saturday: def. Searcy 2-0; vs. def. Episcopal Collegiate 2-0; def. Baptist Prep 2-0; def. Benton 2-0; lost 2-0 to No. 1 Bentonville
This week: vs. No. 1 Cabot Tuesday; at No. 4 Conway Thursday
Central has plenty of nice wins, but two big tests are this week.
“They have a great team. We were right there with them. We have some things to work on. It’s early in the season and our consistency in the season is not there yet especially playing top-notch teams. Our serving and passing can improve. If we can get there, then our offense can come around. I do think we’re better than last year. I feel we have more solid pieces in more positions and we have great heavy pin hitters, but I feel our block is starting to step up, so I think that’s growing. It’s a big part of our team. We’re going to find our consistency and have room to grow and peak at the right time.” — Little Rock Central head coach Markie Alberius on falling to Bentonville at the LRCA Classic.
7. SPRINGDALE HAR-BER (5-5)
Previous rank: No. 7
Last week: def. No. 10 Fort Smith Northside 3-0; lost 3-1 to No. 4 Fayetteville
This week: at Rogers Tuesday; at Owasso (Okla.) Tournament Friday-Saturday
Reese Davis had 67 assists in both matches this week. Madi Bryant had 11 kills vs. Northside and Bleakly Pryor had 15 kills vs. Fayetteville.
8. BENTONVILLE WEST (6-4)
Previous rank: No. 8
Last week: def. Rogers 3-0; lost 3-0 to 10 Fort Smith Northside
This week: at Greenwood Monday; vs. No. 5 Fort Smith Southside Thursday; at Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo Classic Saturday: vs. Springfield Kickapoo; vs. Nixa (Mo.); vs. Staley (Mo.)
9. FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE (6-6)
Previous rank: No. 10
Last week: lost 3-0 to No. 6 Springdale Har-Ber Tuesday; def. No. 8 Bentonville West 3-0;Fort Smith Invitational: def. Hackett 2-0; def. Mansfield 2-1. Gold bracket: def. Jonesboro; lost 2-0 to No. 5 FS Southside
This week: vs. No. 2 Bentonville Thursday
“We had a good showing today. Still seeing continued growth the more we play. I am excited to watch this group keep getting better everyday.” — Fort Smith Northside Matthew Waack on his team’s play in the Fort Smith Invitational
10. JONESBORO (7-2-1)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week: def. Pocahontas 3-1; def. No. 9 Bryant 3-0; def. Mountain Home: Fort Smith Invitational: def. Rogers Heritage 2-0; def. Charleston 2-0; tied Shiloh Christian 1-1. Gold bracket: lost 2-0 to No. 10 Fort Smith Northside
This week: vs. Wynne Monday, at North Little Rock Tuesday; at Little Rock Southwest Thursday.
Lady Hurricane looking like one of the most improved teams in Class 6A.
“I am proud of these girls and how they have bought into this team. They have worked hard and it is starting to show! Of course sweeping Bryant is awesome, but we aren’t satisfied yet. We are just getting started.” — Jonesboro head coach Canaan Groesbeck
DROPPED OUT
No. 9 Bryant
5A
No changes at the top as Mount St. Mary holds onto the top spot after beating Little Rock Christian Academy 3-1 on Thursday.
No. 3 Marion defeated No. 2 Valley View 3-1 and those two teams switch spots.
The big jump was Van Buren which went from not ranked to No. 4 after beating Fort Smith Southside to win the Fort Smith Invitational.
Siloam Springs enters the poll at No. 10 and No. 5 Greenwood and No. 10 Greene County Tech drop out.
1. MOUNT ST. MARY (12-1–1)
Previous rank: No. 1
Last week: def. Sylvan Hills 3-0; def. No. 8 Little Rock Christian Academy 3-1
This week: vs. Vilonia, Tuesday
Belles win rivalry matchup with Little Rock Christian as Ella Nelson has 23 digs, Taylor Wherry has 20 kills and Kaylee Moix has 13 kills.
2. MARION (11-2)
Previous rank: No. 2
Last week: def. Paragould 3-0; def. No. 2 Valley View 3-1
This week: vs. West Memphis Tuesday
Lady Patriots get leg up in 5A-East Conference race.
“Tonight’s match was a great game for both teams. High quality volleyball being played by some of the best players in the state. We knew going in that it was going to be a dog fight and I am very proud with the grit that my team showed throughout the night. We stuck to our game plan and just played Patriot volleyball.” — Marion head coach Lisa Beasley on the victory over Valley View
3. VALLEY VIEW (9-3)
Previous rank: No. 2
Last week: def. West Memphis 3-0; lost to No. 3 Marion 3-1
This week: at Mountain Home Tuesday; vs. Nettleton Thursday
Lady Blazers now looking forward to rematch with Marion on Oct. 9
“I thought we played well the whole match and especially in set three when we figured out our block timing and we were causing some problems for their offense. But their defense dug up a few more balls than we did when their hitters were swinging in system.” — Valley View head coach Margie McGee on the loss to Marion
4. VAN BUREN (6-5-1)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week: def. Prairie Grove 3–0; lost 3-1 to No. 7 Shiloh Christian; lost 3-2 to No. 6 Farmington. Fort Smith Invitational: def. Sylvan Hills 2-0; tied Pottsville 1-1; lost 2-0 to Rogers. Gold bracket: def. No. 7 Shiloh Christian; def. No. 6 Farmington 2-1; def. Fort Smith Southside 2-1
This week: at Harrison Tuesday; vs. Greenwood Thursday
Lady Pointers get over .500 on the season by taking the Fort Smith Invitational.
5. LITTLE ROCK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (8-3)
Previous rank: No. 8
Last week: def. Vilonia 3-0; lost 3-1 to No. 1 Mount St. Mary Thursday. LRCA Classic Saturday: lost 2-0 to Bentonville; def. Mayflower 2-0; def. North Little Rock 2-0. Gold bracket: def. Jonesboro Westside 2-0; lost 2-0 to Cabot
This week: vs. Little Rock Parkview Tuesday; at Beebe Thursday
Close calls. The Lady Warriors lost three sets to Mount St. Mary by a total of six points. They lost one set to Bentonville by four points and one set to Cabot by two points.
“I was really proud of my kids. It’s been a long day. We had a really hard week playing a tough game on Thursday. A lot of my kids are tired and they had a good push in the end. Cabot has a great team and is a lot stronger than us in a lot of places on the front row. I think we’re in a good spot. Competing with those top teams is where we want to be. I’m happy with where we are.” — Little Rock Christian Academy head coach Lacey Rowan.
6. FARMINGTON (10-4-1)
Previous rank: No. 6
Last week: def. Carl Junction (Mo.) 3-1; def. Alma 3-0; def. Van Buren 3-2. Fort Smith Invitational Saturday: tied Fort Smith Southside 1-1, def. Gravette 2-0; def. Little Rock Southwest 2-0. Gold bracket: def. Hackett 2-0; lost 2-1 to Van Buren
This week: vs. No. 10 Siloam Springs Tuesday; vs. Russellville Thursday
Farmington led Van Buren 13-8 in the third set before losing 15-13.
7. BENTON (7-3)
Previous rank: No. 3
Last week: def. Greenbrier 3-0; def. El Dorado 3-0; def. Texarkana 3-1. LRCA Classic Saturday: lost 2-0 to Cabot, def. Harrisburg 2-0; def. Alma 2-0. Gold bracket: lost 2-0 to Little Rock Central
This week: vs. No. 9 Hot Springs Lakeside; at Lake Hamilton Thursday
Lady Panthers fall 28-26 to Little Rock Central in first set at the LRCA Classic before losing the second set 25-15.
“We needed to win that first set and played them awfully close and then they put up a wall and took it all away from us. I thought they did a great job blocking us. We hit the ball some, but couldn’t get it through and it came back on us. We were ahead the whole time and they came back to beat us. You hope there is not a letdown when you lose like that.” — Benton head coach Michelle Shoppach on losing to Little Rock Central
8. SHILOH CHRISTIAN (7-6-1)
Previous rank: No. 7
Last week: lost 3-0 to Fort Smith Southside; def. Van Buren 3-1; def. Alma 3-2. Fort Smith Invitational Saturday: tied Jonesboro 1-1; def. Charleston 2-0; def. Rogers Heritage 2-0. Gold bracket: lost to Van Buren
This week: vs. Russellville Tuesday, vs. No. 10 Siloam Springs Thursday
“We had a great day in Fort Smith and I am proud of my team. I have seen them continue to grow as players and teammates and we are figuring out how to finish tight matches. I am proud that we finished first in our pool and we fought hard against the eventual champions (Van Buren). We still have a lot of work to do, and I always love coming home from a tournament and gearing practices toward the things we need to get better at!” — Shiloh Christian head coach Nathan Bodenstein
9. HOT SPRINGS LAKESIDE MTXE (4-4)
Previous rank: No. 9
Last week: lost 3-1 to Conway; def. Texarkana 3-0; def. Hot Springs 3-1
This week: at No. 7 Benton Tuesday; vs. Sheridan Thursday
“London Jackson. Got another double-double (19 kills, 15 digs vs. Hot Springs). She is a real deal beast. I have a freshman Brinkley Gigerich (10 kills vs. Hot Springs) getting double kills in middle and getting lots attention. She’s going to be like London in future.” — Hot Springs Lakeside MTXE head coach Rhonda Thigpen.
10. SILOAM SPRINGS (7-4)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week: def. No. 5 Greenwood 3-1; def. Harrison 3-0
This week: vs. No. 6 Farmington Tuesday; vs. No. 8 Shiloh Christian Thursday
Lady Panthers making strides under third-year coach Carrie Thammarath.
“I am incredibly proud of my girls. They have been working hard in practice and approaching games with determination. They play really well together as a team which makes us well-rounded in the different aspects of the game. Every member of the team has been contributing to our recent success by owning their role whether it be playing, scouting, or bringing the energy.” — Siloam Springs head coach Carrie Thammarath
DROPPED OUT
No. 5 Greenwood, No. 10 Greene County Tech
