Defending champion advances

Fayetteville had its struggles this season, finishing fifth in the 6A-West Conference. But the three-time defending state champion Lady Bulldogs looked right at home in the Class 6A state volleyball tournament Tuesday at Tiger Arena. Sophomore Gracyn Spresser posted 12 kills, 15 assists and 12 digs to lead Fayetteville to a 25-18, 25-20, 25-21 victory over Fort Smith Northside, the No. 4 seed from the 6A-Central. Fayetteville Coach Jessica Phelan said her team's ball control was the difference in the state tournament opener. It's a part of the game that's been inconsistent this season for the Lady Bulldogs. "We're a team. We want to make this a game at the net," Phelan said. "We know we've got good size, and we have lot of people that can take good swings at the ball. Our DS and libero did a good job on first contact. "I thought we had good composure. It seemed like when sets two and three got kinda tight, we did a good job maintaining some confidence and responding." Fayetteville (16-16) advances to today's quarterfinals to take on Springdale Har-Ber, the 6A-West champions, at 5 p.m. Rosana Hicks, a 6-1 sophomore who contributed on last year's state championship team,,added 11 kills, while Avery Redfern chipped in seven. Arianna Walter added four blocks. Northside Coach Matt Waack said his team had trouble adjusting to the state tournament environment. "They have the ability, it's just finding a way to just relax and play like they know they're capable of playing," said Waack, whose team trailed 19-9 in the opening set. "It's just putting it all together." Junior Nicole Medlin led Northside (23-14) with 10 kills, while Makiah Willis added seven. Setter Lexie Mosby dished out 29 assists, and libero Thea Bishop contributed 23 digs.

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DEFENDING CHAMPION ADVANCES

CHIP SOUZA

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 10/24/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Andy Shupe