West coach Karen Smith said her team may not have as much size as its East opponents, but she still likes the way they match up for tonight's Arkansas High School Coaches' Association All-Star volleyball match.
"This group is very aggressive, a lot of fun on the court," said Smith, who has coached at Lake Hamilton for the past 14 years. "The East has a lot of tall girls. We're not as tall, but these girls are pretty scrappy."
At A Glance
Arkansas High School Coaches Association Volleyball Match Rosters
East
Name^School
Haylee Callison^Cabot
Sara Nethercutt^Conway
Caroline Moye^Jonesboro
Hunter Eshnaur^Russellville
Taylor Gay^Siloam Springs
Addy Hipps^Russellville
Alden Weeks^Nettleton
Mary John Richmond^Valley View
Audra Nailing^Paragould
Camille Clem^Harrisburg
Ally Ballard^Brookland
McKenzie Hopkins^Piggott
Krystal White^Atkins
Head Coach: Craig Cummings, Jonesboro
Assistant coaches: Janna Berry, Walnut Ridge; Kham Chanthaphasouk, Cabot; Tanya Haigwood, Batesville.
West
Name^Team
Kimi Davis^Rogers High
Haley Seyfarth^Bentonville
Kim Huff^Springdale Har-Ber
Anna LeDuc^Bentonville
Braxton Chumley^Benton
Madison Williams^Lake Hamilton
Sophie Curtis^Lake Hamilton
Taylor Lindberg^Benton
Bentley Mara^Harrison
Shamia Wright^Morrilton
Hannah Noble^Berryville
Alekesei Smith^Berryville
Rachael Wood^Mena
Daisy Mitchell^Paris
Samantha Stipins^Mansfield
Head Coach: Karen Smith, Lake Hamilton
Assistant coaches: Wes Davis, Paris; April Mattix, Harrison; Kristen Wheltham, Berryville.
The best-of-five set match begins at 6 p.m. tonight at the Farris Center on the campus of the Central Arkansas.
Creating a little team chemistry must be done quickly in an all-star setting and Smith said she will try to rely on the fact that several of the players have played together on club teams. In fact, four members of her West squad played together for the Ozark Juniors club team.
Bentonville's Haley Seyfarth and Anna LeDuc helped the Lady Tigers claim a 7A state title in the fall, but they have also played club ball with West teammates Kimi Davis of Rogers High and Bentley Mara of Harrison. Springdale Har-Ber's Kim Huff gives the West a fourth representative from the 7A-West.
Smith said her group appears to be well-rounded.
"I think they are strong offensively and defensively," Smith said. "Bentley has stood out hitting the ball very well. This is going to be fun I think."
East coach Craig Cummings of Jonesboro said his team's offense is a definite strength.
"We've got some firepower I think," Cummings said. "You look at Hunter Eshnaur, Audra Nailing, Alden Weeks, Caroline Moye, this is an incredibly talented group. For a team to be successful, you need to be strong out on the left side and we've got several we can put out there that can end a rally pretty quickly."
Cummings said both groups of All-Stars have come together quickly.
"It's a credit to these young ladies to come in, get together and click really well," Cummings said. "What I've witnessed on both side is we've got quality kids who have come in and meshed very well."
Sports on 06/24/2015