SPRINGDALE -- Springdale Har-Ber will begin a new era in volleyball on Aug. 26.
That's when Shyra Schisler will take the floor for the first time as head coach of the Lady Wildcats, who open at Webb City, Mo. Schisler replaces Sandy Jones, who retired from coaching after last season.
At a glance
Springdale Har-Ber Lady Wildcats
Date^Opponent^Time
Aug. 26^@ Webb City, Mo.^5 p.m.
Sept. 2^@ Van Buren^4:30 p.m.
Sept. 4^@ FS Southside^4:30 p.m.
Sept. 8^Alma^5 p.m.
Sept. 9^Bentonville*4:30 p.m.
Sept. 11^@ Fayetteville*^4:30 p.m.
Sept. 16^FS Northside*^4:30 p.m.
Sept. 18^@ Rogers Heritage*4:30 p.m.
Sept. 20^@ Russellville Tournament^TBD
Sept. 23^@ Rogers*^4:30 p.m.
Sept. 25^Springdale*^4:30 p.m.
Sept. 30^FS Southside*4:30 p.m.
Oct. 2^@ Bentonville*^4:30 p.m.
Oct. 4^@ Fort Smith Invitational^TBD
Oct. 7^Fayetteville*^4:30 p.m.
Oct. 9^@ FS Northside*^4:30 p.m.
Oct. 14^Rogers Heritage*^4:30 p.m.
Oct. 16^Rogers^4:30 p.m.
Oct. 18^@ McDonald County (Mo.) Tournament
Oct. 21^@ Springdale^4:30 p.m.
Denotes 7A-West Conference game
Schisler arrives from Shiloh Christian, where she was head coach for three years. The Lady Saints finished 26-7-1 last season after losing to Paragould in the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament.
Har-Ber lost in the second round of the Class 7A state tournament the past two seasons.
"These kids work really hard, and they want to be pushed," Schisler said while leading the Lady Wildcats through preseason drills on Wednesday. "Every practice we've gotten better. For me, being at Har-Ber is a chance to coach in Class 7A. It's a challenge and I get to help other kids grow and develop at the highest level in Arkansas."
Har-Ber will again be led by 6-foot-1 senior Kim Huff, who had 20 kills during a 3-2 victory over North Little Rock in the state tournament. Huff, a three-year starter, is verbally committed to Arkansas Tech, where her sister Katie is a rising junior with the Golden Suns.
"Kim is a phenomenal player," Schisler said. "She's really, really coachable and anything we say to her she takes it to heart and applies it quickly. I'm just trying to make her a better player than she already is."
Tiffani Ray, Elizabeth Williams and Emily Thompson are returning players, along with Reilly Wisdom, Sarah Davis, Danni Delozier and Samantha Stansbury. Paige Williams and Emily Doss are among the sophomores who are expected to contribute.
"Tiffani is a great athlete and a leader," Schisler said of Ray, who is also a softball standout for Har-Ber. "She never gives up. No matter what's going on, she can get the team to rally behind her. She's getting better with her setting and her defense, which she really wanted to work on."
The 7A-West will be different this season with the return of Fort Smith Southside and Fort Smith Northside. Har-Ber will play at Southside Sept. 4 before Schisler makes her home coaching debut against Alma on Sept. 8.
"There's a lot of pride in this community and everyone at Har-Ber has be real receptive," said Schisler, who also coached at Monett, Mo. "I'm excited about the season. We're getting back into the swing of things, and I'm pleased with how it's gone so far."
Sports on 07/24/2014