ROGERS -- Rogers High never trailed in the first and third sets, but fought off rival Rogers Heritage in the second to post a 25-16, 25-20, 25-15 sweep of the Lady War Eagles in 7A-West Conference volleyball Tuesday night in War Eagle Arena.
Rogers coach Christina Lawrence said her team just needs to find a way to stay in system a little more offensively.
"When we pass and are in system, you can see we have a killer offense," Lawrence said. "We were just a little off. We looked great early in the third set, but unforced errors have been our killer.
"We're not a young team, but they're young when it comes to being proficient in certain skills like passing. We have a young libero. I just want to play consistent volleyball."
Rogers (4-1, 1-1 7A-West) did that in the first and third sets for the most part. The Lady Mounties led by as many as five in the opening set, but Heritage (1-7-1, 0-2) pulled within 14-13. Rogers then turned on the jets with an 11-3 run to end the set.
In the second, the Lady War Eagles erased a 12-10 deficit, scoring five straight for their first lead. CJ Landram ended the run with back-to-back aces. But the Lady Mounties responded with a 13-5 run, keyed by five service aces, to rally and win the set 25-20.
Rogers started the third set 7-2 and never looked back with Martin ending the match with back-to-back aces.
Heritage coach Lindsey Layes was pleased to see her team continue to progress in the young season.
"Our goal was to try to serve tough, hit our zones and get them out of system," Layes said. "Rogers has a very good offensive system. Also work on our side, things on our side that we can control like serve receive. We are getting better each match."
Martin led Rogers with eight kills and five aces, while middle blocker Emily Harris contributed six blocks. Anna Randels had a match-high 17 digs. Lora Brown and Hope Von Gremp led Heritage with four kills each, while Erica Reaser got 16 digs.
Bentonville High def. Van Buren 3-0
Bentonville used a balanced attack to take care of business and earn its first 7A-West Conference win of the season with a 25-9, 25-15, 25-15 decision over Van Buren in Tiger Arena.
Emma Palasak had seven kills to lead the Lady Tigers (7-2, 1-1), followed by Grayce Joyce with six, freshman Savanna Riley with five and Tymber Riley with four. Baylee Barganier had a team-high three aces and 17 assists, while Palasak, Joyce and Tori Wilson added two aces apiece.
Wilson also had 24 digs out of her libero position, while Joyce had four blocks and Kathryn Charlson had three.
Bentonville returns to conference action Thursday at Springdale Har-Ber.
Siloam Springs def. Clarksville 3-0.
Siloam Springs won its third straight match and remained unbeaten in 6A/5A-1 Conference with a 25-21, 25-12, 25-12 sweep at Clarksville on Tuesday night.
Shaylon Sharp led Siloam Springs (4-7, 3-0) with nine kills, while Ellie Lampton had seven kills.
Meg Gray led with 12 assists while Chloe Price had 11. Price also had six aces, while Lampton had four and Gray three.
Price led in digs with eight, while Sharp and Britain Castagna each had seven.
Siloam Springs hosts Alma in another league game Thursday at the Panther Activity Center.
Springdale Har-Ber def. Springdale High 3-0
Springdale Har-Ber, in its home opener, cruised to a sweep (25-6, 25-8, 25-15) over rival Springdale High on Tuesday night. The Lady Wildcats (10-1, 2-0) have won six consecutive matches.
For Har-Ber, Lauren Thompson and Klaire Trainor each had 10 kills, Emily Doss added 17 digs and Paige Williams chipped in two aces, five blocks and six digs. Kaleigh Breathitt led Springdale with 14 digs and an ace while setter Maragret Petueli tallied nine assists.
Springdale fell to 4-5-2 overall and 1-1 in 7A-West play. Both teams will be back in action Thursday as Har-Ber hosts Bentonville, and Springdale travels to Bentonville West.
Sports on 09/07/2016