WEEK 8 RANKINGS
By Jeff Halpern
Farmington’s stay at No. 1 lasted one week as the Lady Cardinals fell 3-2 (22-25, 14-25, 25-10, 25-14, 15-11) to No. 10 Greenwood.
When the two teams met on Sept. 17, Farmington won 3-2 (25-19, 25-15, 22-25, 26-28, 15-10). Head coach Jennifer Golden didn’t believe her team was in awe of Farmington the first time around and maintained their composure in the second matchup after losing the third and fourth sets.
“Not gonna lie it’s a huge confidence booster, especially when you look at rankings and see that they’re number two in the state,” said Golden. “This is a huge moral win for my young team who sometimes just need to believe in themselves.”
Golden, whose team always plays a tough non-conference schedule, said after the first matchup, she had tor remind them they defeated defending 6A champion Conway in five sets and had a reverse sweep over 6A-West member Shiloh Christian. Greenwood also defeated 6A-Central member Little Rock Central and 6A-West member Fort Smith Southside.
“Yes! We’ve been able to pull on tough wins in the 5 set. Having that experience early in the season definitely set us up for this late one,” said Golden.
As a result, Greenwood jumps to No. 5 in this week’s Arkansas Volleyball Network rankings. Hot Springs Lakeside, which dropped out of the rankings in Week 5, is back in after a victory over Pulaski Academy, which has dropped out of the rankings.
No. 6 Greenbrier (19-6, 15-1 5A-Central) leads the by one game over No. 7 Mount St. Mary (24-6-1, 14-2) and No. 8 Little Rock Christian (18-7-1, 14-2) and needs two more victories to get the outright conference title. A loss could create a three-way tie for the conference title.
Greenbrier defeated Little Rock Christian 3-2 (25-22, 18-25, 25-16, 25-27, 15-12) on Sept. 22. In head-to-head competition, Greenbrier is 2-1 vs. Mount St. Mary and Little Rock Christian. Little Rock Christian is 1-2 Mount St. Mary is 2-2.
1. VALLEY VIEW (27-2-1, 13-1 5A-East)
Previous rank: No. 2
Last week: def. Beebe 3-0
This week: at Batesville Tuesday; vs. Paragould Thursday
Lady Blazers have one match last week and take advantage. Lynnli Jo Thomas (15 digs, 2 aces), Mary Kate Rees (6 kills 20 assists 5 aces 10 digs), Kate Calhoon (13 kils, .611 hitting pct., 4 digs and 5 blocks) and Meredith Supine (10 kills, .715 hitting pct.) do their part in the victory
2. FARMINGTON (30-4, 9-1 5A-West)
Previous rank: No. 1
Last week: lost 3-2 to No. 10 Greenwood; def. Siloam Springs 3-0
This week: vs. Van Buren Tuesday; at Alma Thursday
Before Tuesday, Farmington’s last loss was on Aug. 29 to Conway in the Bentonville Early Bird Invitational.
COMMENT: “We are disappointed in the loss, but I told our players we don't lose, we learn. We will fix our areas that need fixed and will be better for it. We will continue to work to be our best, and be ready for Siloam on Thursday.” — Farmington head coach Kylie Moad
3. MARION (21-3, 13-1 5A-East)
Previous rank: No. 3
Last week: def. Beebe 3-0; def. Batesville 3-0
This week: at Paragould Tuesday; vs. Searcy Thursday
Claire Brinkley (58 assists), Marlee Williams (17 kills, 6 aces and 3 blocks) lead the way in a pair of sweeps.
4. BENTON (24-2-1, 12-0 5A-South)
Previous rank: No. 4
Last week: def. Lake Hamilton 3-2; def. Bauxite 3-0; def. White Hall 3-0
This week: vs. Hot Springs Tuesday; at Conway Thursday
COMMENT: “We’ve had a lot of close games and the closeness we’re prepared for, I hope. Had a 32-30 game earlier this year and last night’s back and forth (30-28 vs. Lake Hamilton), I feel like the team is ok. I’m proud of them for that. Serving aggressive was something we worked on and playing behind the ball and doing a great job of that and it’s nice to see that. We knew we had to come out and play and had a great team on the other side. They were excited to go out and play and coming into today they were ready to go.” — Benton head coach Brooke White after the victory over Bauxite.
5. GREENWOOD (17-10, 9-2 5A-West)
Previous rank: No. 10
Last week: def. No. 1 Farmington 3-2; def. Russellville 3-0
This week: at Fort Smith Northside Monday; vs. Siloam Springs Thursday
COMMENT: “It was a 5-set battle with some weird scores and lopsided games, but that’s volleyball! Farmington is an amazing team and for us to be able to go to their gym and cause an upset says a lot about the grit my girls showed. I’m very proud of my girls and their total team effort tonight.” — Greenwood head coach Jennifer Golden
6. GREENBRIER (19-6, 15-1 5A-Central)
Previous rank: No. 6
Last week: def. No. 5 Mount St. Mary 3-1; def. Maumelle 3-0
This week: vs. No. 10 Hot Springs Lakeside Monday vs. Sylvan Hills Tuesday; at No. 8 Little Rock Christian Academy Thursday
Greenbrier in driver’s seat for No. 1 seed from the Central.
COMMENT: ”Great game, absolutely very thankful for the win tonight. It could have gone either way, Mount is a great team. We won tonight, but we’re not done and still have to finish out.” — Greenbrier head coach Katie Huff after the victory over Mount St. Mary
7. MOUNT ST. MARY (24-6-1, 14-2 5A-Central)
Previous rank: No. 5
Last week: lost 3-1 to No. 6 Greenbrier Tuesday; def. Sylvan Hills 3-1
This week: at Cabot Monday; vs. Vilonia Tuesday; at Pulaski Academy Thursday
COMMENT: “They did a good job with their scouting report and hit a lot of our holes. Our overall focus is we’re less than 17 days from state. We need to take this and learn from this and adjust.” — Mount St. Mary head coach Olivia Stroud after the loss to Greenbrier
8. LITTLE ROCK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (18-7-1, 14-2 5A-Central)
Previous rank: No. 7
Last week: def. No. 8 Pulaski Academy 3-2; def. Little Rock Parkview 3-0
This week: vs. Maumelle Tuesday; at No. 6 Greenbrier Thursday
Lady Warriors have a chance to earn a share of the 5A-Central Conference title and create chaos.
9. VAN BUREN (12-6, 5-3 5A-South)
Previous rank; No. 9
This week: def. Alma 3-0; def. Mountain Home 3-1
This week: at No. 2 Farmington Tuesday; vs. Russellville Thursday
Isabella Peters (31 digs, 6 aces), Emberly Kimes (34 kills, 12 digs, 3 blocks), Maitlyn Dunn (39 assists, 24 digs and 3 aces) leading Lady Pointers
10. HOT SPRINGS LAKESIDE (15-8, 10-3 5A-South)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week: def. No. 8 Pulaski Academy 3-1; def. Sheridan 3-1; def. Lake Hamilton 3-1
This week: at No. 6 Greenbrier Monday; at El Dorado Tuesday; vs. Cabot Thursday
Lady Rams have a played a tough non-conference schedule and earned revenge for a sweep to the Lady Wolves on Sept. 22.
COMMENT: “This game was a TEAM game. We played with great chemistry and I am super proud of our effort and hustle. Macie Divera had a huge back row game with 25 digs and rating at a 2.6 on serve receive. London Jackson was a beast. Calm, cool, collected and throwing kills at all areas as well as scooping up double digs. Getting 33 kills shows what she is about. She is the real deal.” — Hot Springs Lakeside head coach Rhonda Thigpen on the victory over Lake Hamilton.
DROPPED OUT
No. 8 Pulaski Academy
WEEK 7 RANKINGS
By Jeff Halpern
Normally, the team holding the No. 1 spot in the rankings has to lose in order to drop from the top spot
Sometimes, there are exceptions to the rule.
Such is the case this week as No. 3 Farmington won the Conway Lady Cat Invitational by defeating three 6A teams — Cabot, Springdale Har-Ber and Conway — in the gold bracket. In addition, Farmington hasn’t lost since a 2-1 defeat to Conway on Aug. 29 in the Bentonville Early Bird Tournament.
With two weeks left in the regular season, first place is at stake in the 5A-Central Tuesday night as No. 5 Mount St. Mary (23-5-1, 13-1) hosts No. 6 Greenbrier (17-6, 13-1). Mount St. Mary won 3-2 (25-22, 25-23, 14-25, 26-24, 15-9) on Sept. 10 so a victory over would give the Belles the season sweep and sole possession of first place. A victory for Lady Panthers would create a tie for first place. If Little Rock Christian beats Pulaski Academy, there would be a three-way tie for first place, adding meaning to Oct. 22 matchup between the Lady Warriors and Lady Panthers.
“We’re really excited for the matchup against Greenbrier. It’s always a fun, competitive game and definitely one of the matchups we look forward to most each year. We expect a high level of volleyball from both sides, and we’re excited for the opportunity to compete,” said Mount St. Mary head coach Olivia Stroud.
Greenbrier head coach Katie Huff said, “Mount is a great team so we are looking forward to good competition as post season gears up.”
1. FARMINGTON (29-3, 7-0 5A-West)
Previous rank: No. 3
Last week: def. Fort Smith Southside 3-1; def. Carl Junction (Mo.) 3-2; def. Russellville 3-0; at Conway Lady Cat Invitational: def. Little Rock Central 2-0; def. Bauxite 2-1; Gold bracket: def. Cabot 2-0; def. Springdale Har-Ber 2-1; def. Conway 2-0
This week: vs. Greenwood Tuesday; vs. Siloam Springs Thursday
Lady Cardinals roll through three 6A opponents to win Conway Lady Cat Invitational.
COMMENT: “Winning a tournament against some of the best teams in the state is a tremendous accomplishment. It’s a reflection of the hard work, drive, and determination our players continue to show. With the state tournament in just two weeks, this competition prepares us for what is ahead. Our team is building momentum at the right time.” — Farmington head coach Kylie Moad
2. VALLEY VIEW (26-2-1, 12-1 5A-East)
Previous rank: No. 1
Last week: def. Greene County Tech 3-0; def. Nettleton 3-0
This week: at Beebe Thursday
Peyton Prater (20 kills, 21 digs), Mary Kate Rees (25 assists, 18 digs, 5 kills), Lynnli Jo Thomas (19 digs, 5 aces) leading the way for the Lady Blazers.
3. MARION (19-3, 11-1 5A-East)
Previous rank: No. 2
Last week: def. Nettleton 3-0; lost 3-1 to Briarcrest Christian (Tenn.)
This week: vs. Beebe Thursday; vs. Batesville Thursday
Two of the Patriots’ three losses have come to Briarcrest Christian which is 28-6
COMMENT: “Tennessee’s perennial powerhouse Briarcrest was exactly what we needed to prepare for our post season. We started off a little shaky but turned it on after the first set. Our girls showed a lot of grit and fight to push it to a fourth set and we were just a couple of plays away from going five. Always proud of this group’s competitive spirit!” — Marion head coach Lisa Beasley
4. BENTON (21-2-1, 10-0 5A-South)
Previous rank: No. 4
Last week: def Texarkana 3-0; def. Hot Springs Lakeside 3-0 at Conway Lady Cat Invitational: def. Episcopal Collegiate 2-0; def. Jonesboro 2-0; Gold bracket: lost 2-1 to Bentonville West
This week: at Lake Hamilton Tuesday; vs. Bauxite Wednesday; at White Hall Thursday
Lady Panthers spent past week without setter Joey Nixson after she suffered injuries in a auto accident. Their only two losses come to two of the best teams in 6A.
COMMENT: “We had a good pool play. Pulled Bentonville West in the Gold bracket. We needed to see the speed that we saw. Bentonville West is a good and fast team. We are preparing for state and we see things we need to work on. We will go back to work Monday.” — Benton head coach Brooke Whiteite
5. MOUNT ST. MARY (23-5-1, 13-1 5A-Central)
Previous rank: No. 7
Last week: def. Jacksonville 3-0; def. Joe T. Robinson 3-0; at Conway Lady Cat Invitational: def. Brookland 2-0; lost 2-0 to Bentonville West; Silver bracket: def. Jonesboro 2-0; def. Pulaski Academy 2-0; lost 2-1 to Little Rock Central
This week: vs. Greenbrier Tuesday; at Sylvan Hills Thursday
Belles fall to Little Rock Central in silver bracket final in Conway. Battle Greenbrier for first place in 5A-Central.
COMMENT: "I’m really proud of how our girls performed this weekend! We were missing quite a few players due to travel and homecoming, but the girls who were able to come did a great job. They stepped up, competed hard, and made the most of their opportunities. I’m proud of the effort they gave and the way they represented our program!” — Mount St. Mary head coach Olivia Stroud
6. GREENBRIER (17-6, 13-1 5A-Central)
Previous rank: No. 5
Last week: def. Joe T. Robinson 3-0; def. Little Rock Parkview 3-0
This week: at Mount St. Mary Tuesday; vs. Maumelle Thursday
Lady Panthers have a chance to even the score with Mount St. Mary.
7. LITTLE ROCK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (16-7-1, 12-2 5A-Central)
Previous rank: No. 7
Last week: def. Hot Springs Lakeside 3-0; def. Sylvan Hills 3-0; def. Vilonia 3-0
This week: vs. Pulaski Academy Tuesday; at Little Rock Parkview Thursday
Hope Miller had 59 assists and 22 digs to lead the Lady Warrior.
8. PULASKI ACADEMY (14-8, 9-4 5A-Central)
Previous rank: No. 8
Last week: def. Little Rock Parkview 3-0; def. Maumelle 3-0; at Conway Lady Cat Invitational: def. Wynne 2-1; lost 2-0 to Shiloh Christian; Silver bracket: def. Jonesboro Westside 2-0; lost 2-0 to Mount St. Mary
This week: at Hot Springs Lakeside Monday; at Little Rock Christian Academy Tuesday; vs. Jacksonville Thursday
Lady Bruins minus several players reached semifinals of silver bracket.
COMMENT: “We were missing a lot of players today so we played with what we had to get the experience for the other players. I’m pretty happy with how we competed today. I would say it was a good day of growth.” — Pulaski Academy head coach Jason Lambert
9. VAN BUREN (12-6, 5-3 5A-South)
Previous rank; No. 10
Last week: def. Siloam Springs 3-0; def. Mansfield 3-0
This week: at Alma Tuesday; vs. Mountain Home Thursday
COMMENT: “I was really proud of our consistency last night against Mansfield. We’ve struggled at times to finish sets, so it was great to see us continue to push and pull away during each one. Mansfield has a strong defense, and those long rallies challenged our ball control and decision-making, but keeping our middles involved helped open things up for our other hitters.” — Van Buren head coach Whitney Adams
10. GREENWOOD (15-10, 7-2 5A-West)
Previous rank: No. 9
Last week: def. Alma 3-0; def. Mountain Home 3-0; at Ozark (Mo.) Grand Slam Tournament Friday: lost 2-0 to Eureka (Mo.); lost 2-0 to West Plains (Mo.); Saturday; def. St. Francis Borgia (Mo.) 2-1; def. Rogersville (Mo.) 2-1; lost 2-0 to Jefferson City (Mo.)
This week: at Farmington Tuesday; vs. Russellville Thursday
Lady Bulldogs come out of Missouri with 2-3 record against loaded field.
COMMENT: “We love coming to this tournament every year. It’s a different level of volleyball that exposes some things that we need to work on but at the same time, shows us some highlights as well. My girls are hungry to compete throughout the rest of our conference games and use these games to push us into the post season.” — Greenwood head coach Jennifer Golden