ROGERS -- Rogers Heritage enjoyed its best season a year ago, making the state tournament for just the second time in the school's short history.
The Lady War Eagles need to find a consistent setter in order to make a return trip. Coach Sarah Miser is hopeful working at several team camps this summer will help solidify that position.
Rogers Heritage Lady War Eagles 2014 Volleyball Schedule
Date^Opponent^Time
Aug. 21^Shiloh Christian/Bentonville%^5:30 p.m.
Aug. 25^Alma^6:30 p.m.
Aug. 26^at Shiloh Christian^6:30 p.m.
Aug. 28^Bryant^6:30 p.m.
Sept. 4^Fayetteville*^6:30 p.m.
Sept. 6^at Little Rock Spkefest^TBA
Sept. 9^at Springdale*^6:30 p.m.
Sept. 11^at Fort Smith Northside*^ 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 15^at Greenwood^6:30 p.m.
Sept. 16^Fort Smith Southside*^6:30 p.m.
Sept. 18^Springdale Har-Ber*^6:30 p.m.
Sept. 23^at Bentonville*^6:30 p.m.
Sept. 25^Rogers High*^6:30 p.m.
Sept. 27^at Carl Junction, Mo., Tournament^TBA
Sept. 30^at Fayetteville*^6:30 p.m.
Oct. 2^Springdale High*^6:30 p.m.
Oct. 7^Fort Smith Northside*^6:30 p.m.
Oct. 9^at Fort Smith Southside*^6:30 p.m.
Oct. 11^at Paris Tournament^TBA
Oct. 14^at Springdale Har-Ber*^6:30 p.m.
Oct. 16^Bentonville*^6:30 p.m.
Oct. 21^at Rogers High*^6:30 p.m.
Oct. 26-31^at Class 7A State Tournament^TBA
%Cancer Challenge benefit match at Bentonville
*7A-West Conference match
The Lady War Eagles participated in a three-day camp at Missouri State in Springfield, Mo., this week, after taking part in another one at Arkansas last week. They will also host a two-day team camp August 1-2.
Miser acknowledged she's not sure who will play the setter spot at this point. The Lady War Eagles graduated both players who saw most of the playing time running their 6-2 offense.
Junior Bailey Baxendale, who saw some time at the position last year, is a candidate, along with junior Lindsey Glynn and senior Sami Cloe.
Heritage returns quite a bit of offensive firepower led by 5-11 junior Elleson Dunigan on the outside and 5-11 senior middle Connor McNulty.
Dunigan enjoyed a big sophomore season, earning all-state honors and also being named the NWA Media Newcomer of the Year for large schools.
Senior right side hitter Destiny Boston and senior outside hitter Maddie Hotelling are also experienced front-row players.
But getting the ball to them will be the key.
"We have several players coming back, but it's like a whole new team in some ways," Miser said. "We think we can be a good team, but we are focusing on working on that setter-hitter connection in July and August.
"Right now we have no idea who or what combination we will have at setter. Right now, certain hitters hit better off certain setters and we're working on getting the right combination. We miss the speed of the setters we had at this point."
The team camp allows Miser to test various setters in different combinations in a competitive setting.
"It's vital right now that we work on team chemistry," Miser said. "We played 18 or 20 two-game matches and got the chance to work on some rotation stuff which was good."
But the Lady War Eagles will get a chance to practice in a more controlled environment next week before hosting their two-day camp, Miser said.
Miser feels good about her team's back row play since Baxendale and junior Alye Darter were both solid there a year ago.
"Our defense, serve and serve receive hasn't been what's hurt us at this point," Miser said.
Heritage will play two benefit matches against Shiloh Christian and Bentonville at Bentonville on Aug. 21, before hosting Alma on Aug. 25 to open the regular season.
Sports on 07/26/2014