Bentonville Sweeps Heritage

ROGERS — Bentonville’s Sadie Pate and Anna LeDuc put a fitting end to Tuesday night’s 7A/6A-West Conference clash of co-leaders by stuffing a Rogers Heritage hitter for the final point.

It was that kind of night as the Lady Tigers held a block party at War Eagle Arena with a dominating 25-14, 25-9, 25-15 victory over Heritage.

The Lady Tigers (13-4, 6-0 7A/6A-West) shook off Heritage’s early 5-0 run in the opening set and was in command the rest of the way. Bentonville posted 14 blocks as a team led by four each from Sabrina Shepherd and Anna LeDuc, a pair of 6-0 juniors, to shut down the Heritage attack.

Bentonville coach Michelle Smith was pleased with her team’s effort and poise on the road.

“It felt good tonight,” Smith said. “We’ve been struggling at times with energy and a bit of heart. I thought they poured that out onto the court tonight. We weren’t at home, so that always makes it harder. That was just a good win. I was proud of how they played tonight.

Heritage coach Sarah Miser said her team knew blocking was a strength for Bentonville coming in, but didn’t execute offensively.

“We know they’re big and get over the net,” Miser said. “We have to cover and we didn’t. We know we have to hit high and use the block. We know if we hit straight into the block it’s going to come down on our side.”

Bentonville didn’t need much offense, but it got what it needed as Shepherd led with six kills, while LeDuc added five and Sadie Pate chipped in four. Emily Bruce also came up with 10 digs. The Lady Tigers also finished with nine service aces.

Senior Lindsey Hollander also stepped up at the service line to serve 13 consecutive points immediately following Heritage’s red-hot start.

“She’s a senior and it showed confidence on her part,” Smith said. “It shows maturity as a team that we didn’t get rattled.”

Miser said the Lady Tigers showed exactly why they are undefeated in conference play.

“When a team that good comes to play and another team doesn’t, that’s what happens,” Miser said. “They were very determined. We’ve got to regroup tomorrow for Rogers. This game’s over.”

Sophomore Elleson Dunagin finished eight kills for Heritage, while Sarah Hill added 13 digs, both match highs. But Dunagin didn’t have much help and the Lady Tigers’ back row didn’t get many chances.

Bentonville finishes off the first round of the league play at Fayetteville on Thursday, while Heritage travels across town to face rival Rogers High.

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