WEEK 8 RANKINGS

By Jeff Halpern

Mansfield held the No. 1 spot in the Class 2A Rankings since the third week of the season. The Lady Tigers fell with a 3-1 loss to No. 2 Hackett in the finals of the 2A-3 District Tournament.

That gives Hackett a 2-1 edge in the season series and the No. 1 ranking going into the 2A-Northwest Regional Tournament at Hackett.

Given that both teams have taken turns holding the No. 1 spot, this week’s regional tournament could see another matchup before the 2A state tournament at Piggott.

Here are the Arkansas Volleyball Network’s Class 2A Rankings for Week 8.

1. HACKETT (21-3, 11-1 2A-3)

Previous rank: No. 2

Last week: 2A-3 District Tournament at Mansfield: def. Magazine; def. No. 1 Mansfield 3-1

This week: 2A-Northwest Regional at Hackett: vs. Decatur Monday

COMMENT: “I think the girls came ready to play this week, and it was a really fun game last night! Our fans also showed up and make the environment so fun to play in! Winning last night secured us the one seed going into regionals and also playing the first game on Monday! This will put us opposite of the other districts one seed!” — Hackett head coach Madi Fisher

2. MANSFIELD (19-8-1, 11-1 2A-3)

Previous rank: No. 1

Last week: 2A-3 District Tournament at Mansfield: def. Union Christian; lost 3-1 to No. 2 Hackett

This week: 2A-Northwest Regional at Hackett: vs. Life Way Christian Monday

COMMENT: “It was a hard fought match. I’m proud of our play. Our next focus is regionals.” — Mansfield head coach Brandi Heydenreich

3. COTTER (19-3, 6-0 2A-2)

Previous rank: No. 3

Last week: 2A-2 District Tournament at Cotter; def. Viola 3-0; def. Izard County 3-0

This week: 2A-North Central Regional at Conway St. Joseph: vs. Marshall Monday

Reagan Cowart (54 assists, 17 digs), Kaydence Kawell (21 digs), Lily McNutt (41 kills), Myah McNutt (25 kills, 17 digs) leading the way.

4. TAYLOR (20-3-1, 4-0 2A-8)

Previous rank: No. 4

Last week: 2A-8 District Tournament at Emerson: def. Spring Hill 3-0; def. Columbia Christian 3-0

This week: 2A-South Regional at Cutter Morning Star: vs. Mountain Pine Monday

COMMENT: “I was very proud of how the girls finished out conference play and district tournament! I look forward to seeing the energy they will bring for the rest of postseason.” — Taylor head coach Courtney McHenry

5. CONWAY ST. JOSEPH (22-2, 12-0 2A-4)

Previous rank: No. 5

Last week: def. Mayflower 3-0; 2A-4 District Tournament at Conway St. Joseph: def. Marshall 3-0; def. South Side Bee Branch

This week: 2A-North Central Regional at Conway St. Joseph: vs. Viola Monday

COMMENT: “I’m proud of the girls. This was a good step to give us a chance to compete in Regionals and hopefully state. We’ve missed too many serves the last couple of weeks. Moving forward we’re gonna have to clean it up.” — Conway St. Joseph head coach Luke Davis

WEEK 7 RANKINGS

By Jeff Halpern

No. 1 Mansfield had a rare week in which it lost two matches, but one came to Class 3A Lavaca and one was to Class 5A Van Buren.

Because of the strength of schedule, Mansfield stays No. 1

Mansfield and No. 2 Hackett, which split during the regular season, could see each other in the finals of the 2A-3 District Tournament with the winner getting a No. 1 see for the 2A-North Regional which will be hosted by Hackett starting on Oct. 19.

Here are the Arkansas Volleyball Network’s Class 2A Rankings for Week 7.

1. MANSFIELD (18-7-1, 11-1 2A-3)

Previous rank: No. 1

Last week: lost 3-2 to Lavaca; def. Mountainburg 3-0; lost 3-0 to Van Buren

This week: 2A-3 District Tournament at Mansfield Tuesday vs. Union Christian/Two Rivers/Mulberry

COMMENT: “We did not get the outcome we were hoping for against Lavaca. We started out very strong, and played pretty consistent ball the whole match. Lavaca fought til the end and came away with the W. It was a fun match, very competitive and good for us going into post season “It was a tough loss. We played well and I’m proud of our fight. It was a good match moving into post season.” — Mansfield head coach Brandi Heydenreich on the two losses this week

2. HACKETT (19-3, 11-1 2A-3)

Previous rank: No. 2

Last week: def. Mulberry 3-0

This week: 2A-3 District Tournament at Mansfield Tuesday

vs.Magazine/Mountainburg

Aubrey Gillett had 14 aces vs. Mulberry.

3. COTTER (17-3, 6-0 2A-2)

Previous rank: No. 3

Last week: def. Bergman 3-0; lost 3-1 to Harrisburg; def. Alpena 3-0

This week: 2A-2 District Tournament at Cotter vs TBD

Lily McNutt had 62 kills vs. Bergman and Harrisburg.

4. TAYLOR (18-3-1, 4-0 2A-8)

Previous rank: No. 4

Last week: def. Arkadelphia 3-0

This week: 2A-8 District Tournament at Emerson vs. Spring Hill/Lafayette County

Against Arkadelphia, Kendall Hamlin had 19 kills, 7 digs, 4 blocks and 3 aces; Kallie

McHenry had 35 assists, 7 digs, 2 blocks and 7 aces and Emilee Glass had 14 digs.

5. CONWAY ST. JOSEPH (19-2, 12-0 2A-4)