Gregson Fits In With Lady Tigers

Hannah McDonald, left, was named Small Schools Volleyball Coach of the Year and Marie Gregson was named Newcomer of the Year. Both are from Prairie Grove High School.

Hannah McDonald, left, was named Small Schools Volleyball Coach of the Year and Marie Gregson was named Newcomer of the Year. Both are from Prairie Grove High School.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

— Marie Gregson was a little nervous but not intimidated when she began practicing with Prairie Grove’s varsity volleyball team earlier this season.

The Lady Tigers were loaded with 10 seniors and Gregson, a sophomore, was one in a handful of new players trying to make the team. Not only did Gregson make the team, she started every game while helping Prairie Grove to a 15-5 record and a fourth-place finish at the Class 4A State Tournament in Harrison.

Newcomer Of The Year

Marie Gregson

SCHOOL: Prairie Grove

CLASS: Sophomore

HEIGHT: 5-6

POSITION: Middle blocker

NOTABLE: Started every game while helping Prairie Grove to a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A State Tournament at Harrison. ... Averaged 8 kills and 4 blocks per game. ... The youngest of four siblings. ... Also a manager for the Prairie Grove boys basketball team.

For her efforts, Gregson is the All-NWA Media Volleyball Newcomer of the Year.

“I’m not surprised at all that Marie did so well this season,” Prairie Grove coach Hannah McDonald said. “I never have to worry about pushing her too hard because she wants to constantly get better. She’s one of those type players who asks ‘what else do you have for me, coach?’ She grew a lot this year and got better in every aspect of the game.”

Gregson (5-foot-6) started at middle blocker and averaged eight kills and three blocks per game. She said her older teammates quickly accepted her and helped in her development on the varsity team.

“I was a little intimidated at first,” Gregson said. “But when it looked like I was going to get some playing time, the seniors began to realize that and helped me learn the ropes. They liked to joke and push me around a bit, like a little sister, but it was fun and they taught me a lot.”

Gregson was at her best later in the season after Prairie Grove finished second in the 4A-1 Conference behind Gravette. The Lady Tigers won the Northwest Arkansas District Tournament on their home court to claim a top seed for the Class 4A State Tournament in Harrison.

Prairie Grove won its first two matches at state by sweeping Newport 3-0 and beating Malvern 3-2. The Lady Tigers were then eliminated 3-0 by Valley View, the eventual state champion in Class 4A.

“Getting to the state tournament and playing against the best competition was a big deal,” Gregson said. “That was one of our goals and it motivates me more to get there again and go even further.”

Playing with the varsity means more exposure and more pressure for Gregson, the youngest of four siblings. One of those watching her play this season was Marie’s father, Lynn Gregson, a play-by-play announcer for an on-line website, pgtigersonline.com, that carries games by Prairie Grove sports teams.

“He said he tries not to talk about me too much (on air), but he does say ‘oh, Marie’ when I do something a little bit wrong,” Gregson said. “When we get home, we’ll usually talk about the game a little bit. He’s always supportive and ready to pat me on the back when I do something good.”

Gregson is busy now as a manager for the Prairie Grove boys basketball team. She’ll assume even more responsibility next season as one of the few returning players for the Lady Tigers’ volleyball team.

“I definitely expect Marie to step up as a leader,” McDonald said. “We’ve got some more sophomores coming up and this will be her chance to take those girls under her wing and teach them the ropes. I also want to see her get stronger in her serves and stronger in her hips, but she’s already in our off-season (program) working toward that.”