ROGERS --Rogers Heritage put up a fight, but Fayetteville had too much firepower and notched a 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-14) victory in the 7A-West Conference volleyball opener for both teams Thursday night.
Sophomore Haley Warner and junior Abbie Kathol formed a potent 1-2 punch to help the Lady Purple Dogs (3-1, 1-0 7A-West) begin league play on a high note.
Fayetteville coach Jessica Phelan acknowledged the 6-foot-2 Warner gains a lot of attention, but the 5-foot-9 Kathol is a key part of her team's success.
Warner finished with a match-high 15 kills, but Kathol chipped in 14 kills to go with 12 digs and three service aces.
"Abbie had a great night for us," Phelan said. "She's just a solid volleyball player and she helps us win matches, not only offensively but she just solidifies our ball-control and puts us in a position where our offense can shine a lot of times. We do have a lot of weapons, but we do have to get them the ball. Abbie's someone we can rely on and we count on every night.
"The other thing she does real well is communicate. She's always talking and that helps her teammates be better, too. She's our captain and she's one of those glue kind of players. She doesn't bang the ball through the floor, but she scores points."
Kathol had a dig and three kills to help Fayetteville take control in the second set. Heritage (6-3, 0-1) pulled into a 16-16 tie, but the junior's dig helped the Lady Purple'Dogs get a nice swing and kill for the lead. She added a couple of nice swings and a well-placed tip for a 20-16 Fayetteville lead.
Sophomore setter Ella May Powell also contributed 36 assists, while 6-2 junior middle Faith Waitsman added seven blocks for Fayetteville.
Rogers Heritage coach Sarah Miser said her team pushed the talented Lady Purple'Dogs, but the Lady Ware Eagles can't overcome errors against such a talented team.
"We did fight," Miser said. "It was 20-18 them and we had three hitting errors and a dropped ball between two seniors. We had that conversation going in that they are definitely going to earn their points. Some of their points they are going to earn in a big way. You can't let that affect you.
"I even think the girls surprised themselves in the first two games. Fayetteville's one of the top teams in the state."
Senior Elleson Dunagin led Heritage with 13 kills, while senior Alye Darter contributed 14 digs.
Sports on 09/04/2015