ROGERS — Rogers Heritage bounced back from its first 7A/6A-West Conference loss of the season to finish the first round of league play all alone in second place, but the Lady War Eagles had to fight off crosstown rival Rogers High to notch a tough 3-2 (25-16, 25-11, 26-28, 25-16, 15-13) victory on the road Thursday night.
The Lady War Eagles (17-5-1, 6-1 7A/6A-West) dominated the first two sets, but Rogers (5-9-1, 1-6) clawed back to take the third set and grab the momentum. But Heritage got off to a fast start in the fifth set and held on for the win.
Sophomore Elleson Dunagin, who finished with a match-high nine kills, helped Heritage take a 4-0 lead in the fifth set thanks to some strong serving. The Lady Mounties pulled within one point four times, but never led in the final set.
When MacKenzie Muirhead’s attack sailed wide, Heritage celebrated and War Eagles coach Sara Miser breathed a big sigh of relief.
Miser said her team did not maintain its focus, after taking the 2-0 lead.
“I feel like I”m repeating myself, but I keep telling the girls you have to come out and focus no matter how many games you’ve won or how many you’ve lost,” Miser said. “Give Rogers credit, a lot of teams would not come out and fight like they did after losing two. My girls were a little shell-shocked.
“But in the fifth set, it’s really about who wants it the most. I’m pleased that we were able to win and finish the first round 6-1.”
The Heritage offense was balanced as Maddie Hotelling added eight kills, Emily Kurtz and Connor McNulty added seven each to go with Dunagin’s nine. Libero Sarah Hill finished with a match-high 27 digs, while Dunagin added 17 digs.
Sophomore Samantha Lassiter led Rogers with eight kills, while Muirhead and Shannon Orlopp added seven each. Rosie Champlin also contributed 24 digs and it was her position switch that shifted the momentum to Rogers, Lady Mounties coach Jeana Breedlove said.
“Really I think it was going to a 5-1 offense and taking my other setter, Rosie, and putting her on defense,” Breedlove said. “We made the switch in the second game I think, but it took us a whole game to get used to it. Once we did, we did better. The first two games we were all over the place.
“But they showed some heart and showed some fight and I’m proud of them for that.”
Heritage opens the second round of conference play by hosting Fayetteville on Tuesday, while Rogers plays in a tournament on Saturday in Carl Junction, Mo. The Lady Mounties get back to conference play on Tuesday by hosting Springdale High.