The Bryant Lady Hornets freshman volleyball team surged into sole possession of first place in the South Division of the Central Arkansas Junior High Conference with a 2-1 victory over the rival Benton Junior Lady Panthers on Monday, Sept. 28.
The win came on the heels of a 2-0 sweep of Sheridan in league play on Thursday.
The Lady Hornets have won four league games in a row and improved to 8-2 versus division foes, 11-3 overall. The win over Benton avenged one of their conference losses. The two teams came into Monday’s game tied for the Division lead.
McKenzie Rice finished the match with six kills she also got the Lady Hornets in position to win the first game by serving points 9 through 12. Courtney Davidson served points 15-17. She also contributed three blocks and four assists on the night.
After the loss in game two, the third game was a tussle when the Lady Hornets got a lift off the bench from Sarah McPherson who served for points 10 through 13 to give Bryant the upper hand. Then Alyssa Anderson helped put the game and match away by serving for points 18 through 24.[more]
McKenzie Adams contributed three kills and Hannah Rice two. Adams also pitched in with two blocks and two assists. Anderson and Hannah Rice contributed two assists each as well.
Against Sheridan, Bryant prevailed 25-17, 25-20. Adams led with four kills, Hannah Rice three.
In game one, Hannah Rice served for points 12-15 then Brooke Howell closed out the win serving for points 20-25.
In the second game, Howell got the Lady Hornets off to a fast start serving for points 2-11. Davidson took over for points 13-16 and McKenzie Rice closed out the match by serving for points 21-25.
In an eighth grade match against Sheridan, Bryant Blue (Bethel) came back after losing the first game, 20-25, to forge a win with 25-13, 15-9 scores in games two and three.
Head coach Melissa Bragg noted that Meagan Lincoln had eight consecutive service points.
Bryant Blue also picked up a win over Benton 18-25, 26-24, 15-13. Nicole Guyett had three blocks and Lincoln had two kills. Dezarea Duckworth added two kills and a block.
"There were a lot of long volleys," Bragg mentioned. "The girls really hustled and played with a lot of heart."
