Lady Wildcats cruise

Har-Ber’s middles combine for 25 kills in sweep over Heritage

Emily Thompson (center) of Springdale Har-Ber kills the ball past Shanice Erby (15) and C.J. Landram (9) of Rogers Heritage Thursday at Wildcat Arena in Springdale. Visit nwadg.com/photos to see more photographs from the game.
Emily Thompson (center) of Springdale Har-Ber kills the ball past Shanice Erby (15) and C.J. Landram (9) of Rogers Heritage Thursday at Wildcat Arena in Springdale. Visit nwadg.com/photos to see more photographs from the game.

SPRINGDALE -- Springdale Har-Ber spread the offense and cruised past Rogers Heritage 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-12) in 7A-West Conference volleyball Thursday night at Wildcat Arena.

The Lady Wildcats never trailed in the match and got huge production from their middles, led by 5-10 senior Emily Thompson with 10 kills and no errors.

photo

NWA Democrat-Gazette

Lindsay Glynn (4) of Rogers Heritage has her shot blocked by Lauren Thompson (20) and Emily Thompson (23) of Springdale Har-Ber Thursday at Wildcat Arena in Springdale.

Har-Ber (12-3-2, 3-2 7A-West) jumped to a 6-1 lead in the opening set with four different Lady Wildcats putting the ball down. That set the tone for the evening.

Junior outside hitter Klaire Trainor finished with a match-high 12 kills, but Har-Ber's middles, led by Thompson, combined for 25 kills and just one error.

Getting the middles involved is something that's been a priority, Har-Ber coach Shyrah Schisler said.

"That's something we've been working on to get the middles involved," Schisler said. "We want to make sure they are not just hanging out and make them an option."

But to be able to run the middle, strong passing is needed and that part of Har-Ber's game was also effective led by junior libero Emily Doss.

"Emily Doss, we know and expect her to do a good job," Schisler said. "We've also had Paige (Williams) step in and do a good job and Bailey Baxendale, we've moved her from setting to defense and she's done a great job."

Doss finished with a match-high 12 digs and two aces.

Heritage coach Sara Miser said her team didn't play particularly well, but credited Har-Ber's strong front row.

"We had a few moments, but for the most part I don't think we showed the real Heritage," Miser said. "I don't want to take anything away from Har-Ber. They are a solid program and offensively they are probably more sound in the front row than they've ever been.

"Number 22 (Trainor), I don't think we blocked her one time all night. She just had her way with our defense."

Elleson Dunagin led Heritage (8-5, 2-3) with seven kills, while Lindsay Glynn added six, and senior libero Alye Darter contributed a team-high nine digs.

Sports on 09/18/2015

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