There was no reason for Bentonville's volleyball team to panic after it dropped its first set of the young season Saturday against Jenks, Okla.
"I told them that we are used to playing the best three out of five matches, so we have an edge," coach Michelle Smith said. "This is our chance to prove our endurance throughout the match and up until the very end."
The Lady Tigers heeded the message, then proceeded to win the next two sets to claim a 26-24, 17-25, 25-15, 25-21 victory in their first road match of the year.
Sadie Pate led Bentonville (3-0) with 24 kills, followed by Anna LeDuc with 22 kills and 15 digs. Haley Seyfarth added 37 assists, 13 digs and seven assists, while Savannah King had a team-high 27 digs and Kristin Moore added 13. Ashton Tate also chipped in 17 assists.
"The team played a hard-fought match against a well-disciplined, tall and aggressive Jenks team," Smith said. "I'm proud of their determination throughout the match to not give up."
The Lady Tigers return to action this afternoon when they travel to Carl Junction, Mo., for a nonconference match. Bentonville then opens 7A-West Conference play Thursday with a home match against Fort Smith Northside.
-- HENRY APPLE • @NWAHenry
Rogers Heritage
War Eagles Finish Sixth At Memphis Twilight
The Rogers Heritage boys cross country team got several strong efforts to finish sixth out of 40 teams at the Memphis Twilight Classic on Saturday.
"The boys all raced and compete well," Heritage coach Jeff Shaw said. "All of them ran within 30 seconds or so of their PRs, so that's good this early. David Martinez is a kid who was hurt most of last year and he ran second for us. He was a big positive, running well and staying healthy for us."
Sophomore James Parker was Heritage's top finisher, crossing 43rd out of more than 300 runners in the varsity boys race. He finished in 17 minutes, 32.62 seconds. Martinez was 60th overall at 17:51.86.
The War Eagles finished with a score of 348, well behind meet winner West Plains, Mo., with 45.
The Lady War Eagles, who finished as Class 7A state runner-up a year ago, finished 10th out of 40 teams and Shaw came away not as happy with them.
"I was a little disappointed in the times," Shaw said. "There were some really good teams here. They all should have been a minute faster in our minds. Two or three of them held back a little too long. Some made some good strides and moved way up late, but you can't wait that long to go. They competed, but we've got to pick up the pace a little bit."
Katie Powell was the Lady War Eagles' top finisher, crossing 66th in 21:16.30, followed by Jessica Lilze (21:24.47 and Kesley Brown (21:28.53).
The Lady War Eagles finished with a score of 348, well behind meet winner Kansas City Rock Bridge's 106.
Both Heritage teams will compete at the Elkins Invitational on Saturday
-- Paul Boyd • @NWAPAULB
Rogers High
Mounties Take Second
The Mounties cross country team finished second at the Marcus I Invitational in Denton, Texas Saturday. Almost 300 runners competed in the boys big school race.
Southlake Carroll, Texas, won the event with 49 points while Rogers was second with 120 points.
Christian Liddell and Ian Smith both turned in top 20 performances for Rogers. Liddell finished in sixth place with a time of 15:47 while Smith cross 16th place in 16:11.
"Christian had a good race, real solid up front," said Rogers coach Carlton Efurd. "For him to break 16 the first time out was good. The talent level down there was pretty high. Ian was solid and he ran a good race."
Jake Mankin finished in 27th place for the Mounties in a time of 16:25 while Josh Neago crossed in 37th place with a time of 16:38. Austin Salazar finished in 41st place (16:47) while Taylor Bryant took 47th place (16:55).
"Josh, that was his best race ever and that was a great effort by him," Efurd said.
The Lady Mounties finished in sixth place behind a strong race by Lisa Lauschke. Lauschke finished in 19th place in a time of 19:40. Freshman Emily Efurd also broke the 20-minute mark with a 19:50. Braelyn Smith finished in 36th (20:17), Lauren Harrell 43rd (20:27) and Claudia Cichy crossed in 52nd place (20:35) for the Lady Mounties.
"Our whole girls team ran pretty well for the first time," Efurd said. "I was real pleased with their effort."
-- PAUL NIELSEN • @NWAPaul
Springdale Har-Ber
Har-Ber Eager For Texas Trip
Springdale Har-Ber will open its cross country season Saturday by competing in the Southlake (Texas) Invitational outside of Dallas. The Wildcats will leave Friday for a meet that should involve several top teams.
"Even if it's mostly just teams from the Dallas metroplex, it's an incredible meet," Har-Ber cross country coach Brett Unger said. "This could very easily be our top meet. It's good for our kids to be a part of that competition and, ultimately, to see what it takes to be great."
Har-Ber is expecting another strong boys team after placing third the last two years at the Class 7A state meet at Hot Springs. The Wildcats are led by Tucker Skelton, Noah Antony, Chris Sandoval, Emanuel Gonzales, and Peyton Wood. Josh Uzelac and Kameron Camp will also challenge for the Wildcats this season.
Senior Megan Bradley and junior Elise Reina are back to lead the girls.
"Our kids have been running and doing the things we've asked all summer long," Unger said. "They can't wait to get to the starting line."
-- RICK FIRES • @NWARICK
Sports on 09/01/2014