SPRINGDALE -- Desiree Mack first noticed the plaque of program records in the Springdale High volleyball coaches' office two years ago.
She's since seen it countless times. And Tuesday, the senior outside hitter earned her place on it by recording a program-record 38 kills to lead the Lady Bulldogs to a 3-2 (25-16, 21-25, 16-25, 25-23, 15-10) home win over defending Class 6A state champion Russellville.
"I've been trying to beat it since my sophomore year," Mack said of Kristen Hilton's previous record of 29 kills set in 2008.
The record-breaking performance helped the Lady Bulldogs (5-2) overcome a 2-1 deficit to earn a big victory in their final tune-up before hosting Rogers High in a 7A-West Conference opener Thursday. Mack had eight kills in the fourth set with Springdale facing elimination, then added five more key ones in the deciding fifth set as the Lady Bulldogs completed the comeback.
"Springdale's a great team," Russellville coach Cindy Jones said. "They just beat us. They played a great match. They did an awesome job on defense. (Mack) got up and swung. They just beat us. Good team."
Springdale senior setter Maddie Mueller had 40 assists, sophomore libero Elaina Pack had 24 digs and junior Sarahbeth Coleman had three blocks in the win.
Springdale won game one 25-16 in convincing fashion, closing the set on a 22-11 run after trailing early. But Russellville (3-1) responded by winning the second and third games 25-21 and 25-16, respectively, as seniors Madison McKinley (16 kills) and Shameka Ealy (six kills) brought the Lady Cyclones within a game of winning the match.
But Springdale rallied from the deficit, clawing out a 25-23 win in a tight fourth game in which neither team led by more than three points. That win set up a fifth game the Lady Bulldogs controlled in jumping out to 5-1 and 10-3 leads.
"I was so proud of our fight," Springdale coach Kylie Moad said. "I was a little concerned (after the third set). I chewed on them pretty good and they responded. And I'm proud of that.
"We had to swing against this team. That was the key to our success."
Mack led the way, swinging her way into the record books.
Sports on 09/02/2015