Amber Cope, left, and the Bryant Lady Hornets were set to take on Rogers Heritage in the first round of the Class 7A State volleyball tournament at Bentonville High School today at 2 p.m.
The Lady Hornets, the third-seeded team from the 7A-Central Conference, finished 9-5 in league play, 11-7 overall. Bryant is one of the hottest teams coming into the tourney with eight wins in the last 10 matches including a winning streak of six in a row at one point.
Heritage is the No. 6 seed from the 7A-West, winning over crosstown rival Rogers in their last match of the regular-season to earn the bid.
With a win, the Lady Hornets would take on host Bentonville, the No. 2 seed from the West which actually finished tied with Fayetteville for the regular-season 7A-West Conference championship. That match would begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.[more]
The Lady Hornets feature just two seniors, outside hitter Cope and defensive specialist Sydney Manley along with juniors Maggie Hart, Lauren Reed, Brianna White and Taylor West. The team has been sparked by sophomores Courtney Davidson, McKenzie adn Hannah Rice along with Alyssa Anderson.
The team also includes junior Alex Boone and sophomores Haley Sherrill, Brooke Howell, Britten Hays and Kaylon Wilson.
The team is coached by Beth Solomon with assistance from Julie Long.
CLASS 7A STATE TOURNAMENT
At Bentonville High School
Tuesday, Oct. 26
Game 1 — Springdale Har-Ber (West 4) vs. West Memphis (Central 5), 12 p.m.
Game 2 — Bryant (Central 3) vs. Rogers Heritage (West 6), 2 p.m.
Game 3 — North Little Rock (Central 4) vs. Fort Smith Northside (West 5), 4 p.m.
Game 4 — Fort Smith Southside (West 3) vs. Cabot (Central 6), 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 27
Game 5 — Conway (Central 1) vs. game 1 winner, 12 p.m.
Game 6 — Bentonville (West 2) vs. game 2 winner, 2 p.m.
Game 7 — Fayetteville (West 1) vs. game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 8 — Mount St. Mary (Central 2) vs. game 4 winner, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 28
Game 9 — Game 5 winner vs. game 6 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 10 — Game 7 winner vs. game 8 winner, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 30
Championship game
Game 11 — Game 9 winner vs. game 10 winner, 3 p.m.
