CONWAY — Since the Bryant Lady Hornets were edged out for a slot in the Class 7A State Tournament this year, the final week of the regular season kind of serves as a post-season for them since they’re playing two rival matches. On Tuesday night, they traveled to Conway to play the Lady Cats. On Thursday, in the season finale, they’ll visit the Benton Lady Panthers.
The Lady Hornets had their hands full on Tuesday as Conway sewed up the top seed for State from the 7A-Central Conference improving to 12-2 in the league. The Lady Hornets absorbed a straight-set loss, 12-25, 15-25, 15-25.
“We did some good things but couldn’t come out with a win,” said Lady Hornets coach Beth Solomon. “We have a big game on Thursday with Benton. It’s our cross county rivalry so it’s always a big game. It will also be our last game of the season so we need to go out on a high note.”
The Bryant JV team also came up short, 8-25, 14-25, on Tuesday.
For the varsity, Raven Loveless led the way at the net with nine kills. Sarah Clemmons had four and Lylah Washington three against Conway’s strong front line. Alex Dillard finished with two kills. Ashlyn Lee, Reagan Blend, Riley Hill, Kyla Baker and Brittney Weaver added a kill apiece. Lee finished with 21 assists.
The Lady Hornets were 40 of 43 from the service line but could only get in one ace. That was by Dillard. Baker was good on all 12 of her serves and Dillard was 8 of 8.
Loveless had three digs. Clemmons and Hill each had a solo block.
Conway amassed 40 kills led by Aly Brinkley with 14. The Lady Cats came up with 38 digs.
In the JV match, the Lady Hornets only managed eight kills. Reagan Dabbs and Kristin Boyle had two each with Aly Bowers, Imanii Jones, Faith Stone and Madi Draper finishing with one apiece. Lindsey Maxwell set for five assists.
Cassie Ray came through with two aces and Macey Loudon had one as the Lady Hornets were good on 21 of 22 serves.
Dabbs finished with two digs, Bowers one.
