Volleyball: Laird Hoping For Long Playoff Run

 Staff Photo Michael Woods Landry Laird of Prairie Grove returns the ball during the game against Shiloh Christian in Springdale on Sept. 9.
Staff Photo Michael Woods Landry Laird of Prairie Grove returns the ball during the game against Shiloh Christian in Springdale on Sept. 9.

SPRINGDALE -- Landry Laird is Prairie Grove's sparkplug.

And why not. The senior libero is one of only a couple players on the Lady Tigers' volleyball roster who's been through both the highs and lows of the program.

Profile

Landry Laird

School: Prairie Grove

Class: Senior

Position: Libero

Notable: Played a key role in Prairie Grove’s run to the Class 4A state semifinals in 2012. … One of six seniors on the Lady Tigers’ roster this season.

When Prairie Grove made the 4A semifinals in 2012, Laird was there. The Lady Tigers lost to the eventual champions and despite the loss of several seniors the following season, hopes were high. But the team struggled in 2013, winning just five matches before having to forfeit four of those because of the use of an ineligible player.

Now Laird is back, with five other upperclassmen, and is seeking to return Prairie Grove volleyball to those 2012 heights.

"We (seniors) remember our sophomore year. Those seniors were great leaders and we all have little meetings and we discuss among ourselves how we want to be like that group," Laird said. "It's not just about us. It's about leaving a legacy behind us."

First-year coach Lindsey Layes knows a little something about legacy. She played at 7A powerhouse Fort Smith Southside, where she won a state championship in 2006 and made it to the semifinals in 2007 and 2008.

She was also a libero and sees a little of herself in Laird.

"She lives and breathes volleyball," Layes said. "Constantly 'coach, open up the gym.' And I live 15, 20 minutes away. It's my Saturday, but OK. I'm not going to turn down girls who want to come and work in the gym. She's been a leader from day one."

Laird celebrates Prairie Grove points like most volleyball players do. But her smiles and laughter are short-lived. She mostly carries a "game face." And with the experience she's had over the last two years, she's taken it upon herself to be a leader in the Lady Tigers resurgence.

It took the Lady Tigers a few practices to get used to Layes. The coach would ask the team do a particular drill or task and they'd look at her confused. After a few weeks, it began to sink in. And Laird is thankful for it.

"Before we just had, we did what we had always done. Real routine. And she came in and changed our whole perspective," Laird said. "Our team has improved because of it."

The results aren't immediate as Prairie Grove was swept by conference favorites Shiloh Christian last week. But Saints coach Nathan Bodenstein said after the game Prairie Grove was as good as any team his club had faced in the early season.

And Laird was upbeat afterwards, too. As she tends to be.

"We're already so much better than last year. I mean, we have a win," she joked. "It's going well. Sophomore year is the highlight of my career so far, but I want this year to match it."

Sports on 09/17/2014

Upcoming Events