ROGERS -- Rogers Heritage made just its second appearance in school history in the Class 7A state volleyball tournament a year ago, but it was a short stay.
The Lady War Eagles are hoping to not only return to the tournament this season, but stay awhile. They earned a first-round bye last year, but still haven't won a state tournament match in two tries.
Rogers Heritage Lady War Eagles
Date^Opponent^Time
Aug. 25^Alma^6 p.m.
Aug. 26^at Shiloh Christian^6 p.m.
Aug. 28^Bryant^6 p.m.
Sept. 4^Fayetteville*^6 p.m.
Sept. 6^at Little Rock Spikefest^TBA
Sept. 9^at Springdale High*^6 p.m.
Sept. 11^at Fort Smith Northside*^6 p.m.
Sept. 15^at Greenwood^6 p.m.
Sept. 16^Fort Smith Southside*^6 p.m.
Sept. 18^Springdale Har-Ber*^6 p.m.
Sept. 23^at Bentonville*^6 p.m.
Sept. 25^Rogers High*^6 p.m.
Sept. 27^at Carl Junction (Mo.) Tournament^TBA
Sept. 30^at Fayetteville*^6 p.m.
Oct. 2^Springdale High*^6 p.m.
Oct. 7^Fort Smith Northside*^6 p.m.
Oct. 9^at Fort Smith Southside*^6 p.m.
Oct. 11^at Paris Tournament^TBA
Oct. 14^at Springdale Har-Ber*^6 p.m.
Oct. 16^Bentonville*^6 p.m.
Oct. 21^at Rogers High*^6 p.m.
Six players return who played in that quarterfinal loss to Fort Smith Northside and set school record for wins in a season. So Heritage has quite a bit of experience back. However, both starting setters graduated.
Finding those replacements has been a focal point during the summer and Heritage coach Sarah Miser will start the season with junior Bailey Baxendale and senior Sami Chloe at the controls of the 6-2 offense.
"We still have some work to do on that setter-hitter combination," Miser said. "But they have all been working hard and even asking for extra work. They know their consistency is key to how our offense works.
"We've got the guns to put the ball down. We just have to be able to get the ball to them."
Baxendale and Chloe have a variety of offensive weapons at their disposal led by 5-11 junior outside hitter Elleson Dunagin, an all-state selection a year ago and also named large school Newcomer of the Year by NWA Media.
Dunagin, who plays volleyball almost year-round, believes she's improved some from last season and doesn't shy away from being the go-to player for the Lady War Eagles on the front row.
"I like it really," Dunagin said. "I'm always like 'Set me, set me.' I guess I trust what I can do. I'm just thinking all the time I'm gonna put this ball down."
Miser agreed there's no question Dunagin is the Lady War Eagles' top option offensively, but she's also grown mentally and physically in a year's time.
"She is and always will be a finisher for us," Miser said. "She didn't show any timidness of wanting the ball as a sophomore. Ellie has improved from one year to the next for sure. But the one thing is I think she has become more of a vocal leader for us."
Senior Maddie Hotelling also returns at the other outside hitter spot, while 5-10 senior Destiny Boston will play on the right side. Junior Lindsay Glynn had earned some playing time on the outside, but she's currently sidelined for an indefinite period with a foot injury.
"Lindsay is small, but she jumps well and has a fast arm swing," Miser said. "She's quick and hard to block with that fast arm swing."
Juniors Paige Gallaway and Courtney Van Wilpe, along with sophomores C.J. Landram and Hope Von Gramp are getting work on the right side with Glynn sidelined.
McNulty and senior Sara Turley will play the middle. Miser said McNulty has continued to improve, after a solid junior season.
"I thought she was good last year," Miser said. "But she's even more consistent this year and and I don't believe she's reached her ceiling yet. I believe her ceiling is very high."
Junior Alye Darter played some back row a year ago, but will start at the libero spot this season, while sophomore Jocelyn Galvan could also see some time in the back row.
Smoothing out the Lady War Eagles' transition offense will be a key for their success, Miser said.
"The differences for us this year will be setting and defense," Miser said. "They contact the ball before any of our hitters."
Another difference is depth or lack of it.
"Last year I had five defensive specialists that played some last year," Miser said. "This year's team is not as deep."
Heritage opens the regular season by hosting Alma on Monday.
Sports on 08/24/2014