Volleyball: Lady Bulldogs sweep Rogers, remain unbeaten in 7A-West

FAYETTEVILLE -- Rogers High looked ready to give Fayetteville a run for its money Thursday in 7A-West Conference volleyball action at Bulldog Arena.

But every time the Lady Mounties put together a strong push, the Lady'Dogs were right there to push back.

Fayetteville (22-3, 11-0 7A-West) started the match in control in the first set, then used big rallies in the final two games to complete a 25-16, 25-18, 25-23 sweep to remain unbeaten in conference play.

"(Rogers) did a good job of blocking and that can frustrate you as a hitter," Fayetteville coach Jessica Phelan said. "We had to really work and I was proud of the kids for game two, when it's 14-14, we made a really good push there. And then game three was just back and forth and was just happy to get out of that one and get out with a win in three."

The Lady Mounties (11-13-1, 4-7) used a mid-game rally in the second set to put Fayetteville in a brief pinch, tying the set at 14-all. But Fayetteville responded with an 11-4 run to close out to set for a 2-0 match lead as Ella May Powell and Faith Waitsman were vital in the Lady'Dogs' run.

Rogers' best chance at a set victory came in the third, when a 7-2 run sparked by Kassidy Wall and Hannah Martin led to a 16-11 lead. But after a timeout, Fayetteville settled down with five quick points to even the set. Sophomore Haley Warner then closed the match with four of her 14 kills as Fayetteville held off Rogers in a nip and tuck game right down to the end.

"You have to give Fayetteville credit, they took control and finished strong," Rogers coach Jeana Breedlove said. "You just can't let up (against Fayetteville). You can't have any mistakes, and we had some faux pas on passing and on defense and we'll just have to improve on that."

Powell finished with 31 assists, four blocks and four aces for Fayetteville and Olivia Wales sparked the defense with 25 digs. Rogers got 13 assists from Hannah Lloyd, 13 digs by Madison Sherrill and seven kills from Samantha Lassiter.

Rogers won the JV match Thursday, 13-25, 25-22, 15-11.

Fayetteville is back on the court Saturday at the Ozark, Mo. Grand Slam. The Lady Mounties visit Fort Smith Northside on Tuesday.

Sports on 10/09/2015

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