ROGERS -- Elleson Dunagin was content with letting her play do the talking a year ago, but Rogers Heritage volleyball coach Sarah Miser wanted more from the 5-foot-11 outside hitter this season.
Miser encouraged Dunagin to become more of a vocal leader heading into her junior season and she's continued to deliver for a Heritage team that's off to a solid start.
Profile
Elleson Dunagin
School: Rogers Heritage
Height: 5-foot-11
Class: Junior
Notable: Named NWA Media Newcomer of the Year last season. … Helped lead the Lady War Eagles to their second state tournament appearance in school history. … Led team in kills a year ago and also is the top attacker this season.
7A-West Conference Volleyball
Team^Overall^Conference
^W-L^W-L
Bentonville^9-2^2-0
Fayetteville^6-4^2-0
Rogers High^7-4^1-1
Rogers Heritage^6-2-1^1-1
Springdale Har-Ber^4-1^1-1
Fort Smith Southside^4-1^1-1
Springdale High^2-3^0-2
Fort Smith Northside^1-6^0-2
Tuesday’s Scores
Fort Smith Southside def. Rogers High 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-13).
Bentonville def. Springdale Har-Ber 3-1 (25-15, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17).
Rogers Heritage def. Springdale High 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 25-22).
Fayetteville def. Fort Smith Northside 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-13).
Tonight’s Matches
Rogers Heritage at Fort Smith Northside, 6 p.m.
Bentonville at Rogers High, 6 p.m.
Fort Smith Southside at Springdale High, 6 p.m.
Springdale Har-Ber at Fayetteville, 6 p.m.
She put down a match-high 15 kills in the Lady War Eagles' 3-0 win over Springdale High on Tuesday. Heritage improved to 6-2-1 overall and evened its 7A-West Conference record at 1-1.
Dunagin's just doing her No. 1 job and that's terminating. But even that's improved this season, Miser said.
"She has and always will be a finisher for us," Miser said. "She put the ball down well as a sophomore and didn't show any timidness. As a junior, her play has improved. But I've seen her become more of a vocal leader. She was on the court with a bunch of seniors last year. I think she feels more comfortable speaking up with this group."
Dunagin joked that her approach started simply enough.
"I'm gonna hit this ball as hard as I can and see where it goes," Dunagin said with a laugh. "I feel like I've gotten a little better. I can see the block a lot better than I used to. It's not overwhelming."
Dunagin can still jump up and smoke a ball down inside the 10-foot-line, but Miser said she also plays under control.
"She knows if the set's a little off, she will go up and keep it in play," Miser said.
Dunagin didn't mind the role as Heritage's top offensive option even as a sophomore.
"Oh I like it, I'm always like 'Set me, set me next,'" Dunagin said. "I love that. I trust what I can do."
Her teammates have complete confidence in Dunagin, too, and that's helped boost Dunagin's self confidence, Miser said.
"This is her second year to be voted as a team captain," Miser said. "Her teammates look up to her for her skills and ability on the volleyball court, but she also does the right things off the court. She's a great example."
Dunagin, who was named Large School Newcomer of the Year by NWA Media last season, has increased her offensive arsenal and also improved defensively, Miser said.
"She's hitting multiple shots better," Miser said. "Elleson can hit down the line and she can cut it. She can hit the seam. We've been working on her hitting out of the right side in one rotation and she's more comfortable there. She's even hit a few slides and she's better hitting out of the back row."
"She's improved her defense and she will play all six rotations for us. As far as her serves, she never misses a serve. If she does, she beats herself up about it."
Dunagin acknowledged she has pushed herself to speak up more, something that doesn't come naturally.
"As you get older you need to talk more," Dunagin said. "I don't think I'm really quiet, but this year I have tried to over exaggerate my talking."
Dunagin also said this year's group is more close-knit, which makes speaking up easier.
"I think we all get along," Dunagin said. "We mesh pretty well."
She's just hoping to help lead the Lady War Eagles back to the state tournament.
"We're as good as we were last year I think, if not better," Dunagin said. "We'll see how it goes."
Sports on 09/11/2014