SPRINGDALE — Rose Cheek would love it if she could impose an information lockdown, but she knows that is a hopeless dream.
Cheek leads Siloam Springs against Nettleton in the Class 5A volleyball state championship game today at Bentonville’s Tiger Arena. The Lady Panthers (30-8) will try to win their seventh consecutive state title, but Cheek doesn’t remind her team of that.
She also tries to encourage others to keep the streak to themselves.
“It’s added pressure, and I feel for the girls,” Cheek said. “I try not to let them read any newspapers and I tell people, ‘Please don’t say anything to the girls. Don’t mention seven, just say good luck like it’s the first time.’
“They put enough pressure on themselves.”
Cheek said she realized how much pressure the streak put on her players when standout Hannah Allison confided to her that she felt overwhelmed last year. Allison, who is now at the University of Texas, was one of the best volleyball players the state has produced and still felt the heat from the streak.
“I want them to enjoy this time together,” Cheek said. “To me, it’s just another game, a little more important but still just anothergame. It is hard on me. It’s stressful.”
Nettleton is feeling the exact opposite. The Lady Raiders (22-4) lost to Siloam Springs in the 2007 semifinals and the 2008 quarterfinals.
“We know it’s going to be a huge challenge,” Nettleton Coach Vickie Gatewood said. “We know what we’re up against, but we’re coming in with nothing to lose.
“All good streaks have to come to an end at some time. It’d be nice to end it.”
Nettleton reached the final as the No. 2 seed from the 5A-East Conference after picking up Hannah Campbell late in the year. Campbell, the team’s junior middle hitter, missed most of the year because of a back injury.
In Campbell’s absence, senior Tiffani Curtwright established herself, averaging15 kills a game. Campbell’s return gives the team added offensive versatility that Nettleton will need against the strong defense of the Lady Panthers.
“It makes us a different team and gives us a lot of options,” Gatewood said. “We can do different kind of things.”
The Lady Panthers are led by James Madison recruit Lizzy Briones but have tremendous depth and experience. Cheek said the team-oriented attack and focus on defense is the key to Siloam Springs’ long run of success.
“We have to play our kind of volleyball, just Siloam ball,” Cheek said. “It’s not one or two players. We feel confident in all of them.”Today’s finals At Tiger Arena, Bentonville High School
CLASS 7A
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Bentonville vs. Fayetteville, 3 p.m.
CLASS 6A
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Marion vs. Van Buren, 1 p.m.
CLASS 5A
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Nettleton vs. Siloam Springs, 11 a.m.
CLASS 4A
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Valley View vs. Shiloh Christian, 7 p.m.
CLASS 3A
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Crowley’s Ridge vs. Conway St. Joseph, 5 p.m.
Sports, Pages 25 on 10/30/2010