NORTH LITTLE ROCK — The Bryant White Lady Hornets eighth grade volleyball team took some strides forward at a tournament in North Little Rock Saturday, winning two and splitting two matches before absorbing its lone loss in bracket play to the rival Benton Junior Lady Panthers, 13-25, 15-25.
To get that far, the Lady Hornets split with Jacksonville, 8-21, 21-11; defeated Sylvan Hills, 21-17, 21-20; and split with Conway White, 13-20, 21-20 in pool play. Advancing to the Gold Bracket, they eliminated Pulaski Academy, 25-18, 25-23 to advance to the match with Benton.
“The girls played so hard,” asserted Bryant White coach DeAnna Ward. “I am very proud of them. They have become good volleyball players over the past couple of weeks.
“We have improved so much since the first of the season,” she continued. “Things are starting to click. We are passing the ball, and being strong at the net, communicating, moving our feet. All those things are finally coming together.”
In the Benton match, the Lady Hornets missed only four serves. Kyla Baker and Raven Loveless were both 100 percent at the line. Carlee Huthins, Loveless and Jadn Nichols combined for four blocks and three kills.
Against Pulaski Academy, Erin Chappell was 10 for 10, Maddie Miller 9 for 9 and Baker 8 for 8 at the service line. In addition, Chappell, Hutchins and Nichols combined for seven kills and five blocks with Loveless contributing a pair of blocks as well.
The Lady Hornets are set to host North Little Rock in a regular-season match today at Bryant Middle School gym.
