HOT SPRINGS -- Conway hadn't been to a state volleyball final since 2002, but the Lady Wampus Cats played like veterans to earn their second state title and first in 20 years Saturday at Bank OZK Arena.
The Lady Wampus Cats got off to a great start, then scored the final three points to close out the fourth set to notch a 25-13, 24-26, 25-15, 25-22 victory over Fort Smith Southside in the Class 6A state title match.
Senior Karli Ferguson finished with a match-high 22 kills, including the final two points, to earn tournament MVP and help Conway (29-7-1) dominate at the net for much of the match.
Conway Coach Laura Crow tried to make sure her team was prepared mentally and physically for the finals, and she was pleased with how they performed.
"We've talked a lot about when the big lights come on, and I said, 'It's just volleyball, guys,' " said Crow, who is in her 16th season at Conway. "I felt like Southside was not playing like they typically do. I think that kinda shook them a little bit.
"We watched a lot of film, even late last night. I didn't want to leave any stone unturned as far as who we wanted to serve and where their hitters were gonna hit."
Conway cruised to the win in the opening set and broke open a tight third set with a 10-1 run to take a 2-1 lead in the match. The Lady Wampus Cats found a way to outlast the Lady Mavericks (31-4), who won two of three regular-season meetings against Conway.
Southside Coach Steve Haaser, who was in search of his ninth state title in volleyball, had no explanation for his team's slow start, except that Conway was just better Saturday.
"They outplayed us. We were fighting and scrapping just to stay in it," Haaser said. "I would have loved to take that fourth game and get it to a fifth. To their credit, they didn't let it go five. They played great, and that's why they're champions."
Haaser completed his 40th season as volleyball coach and now has 1,016 victories, but he wouldn't say whether it would be his last.
"I've got a lot of thinking and reflecting to do," Haaser said.
"It's been a great season, but it's a tough way to end it."
Ferguson led a strong front row for the Lady Wampus Cats, but she had plenty of help. The 5-10 middle blocker added a team-high 5 blocks, while Emma Begley chipped in 12 kills and 5 blocks. Anna Haley added nine kills and Satera Scott eight.
Madison Bates contributed a team-high 25 assists and 6 aces, while Madison Lovell had 23 assists and 10 digs for Conway.
Sophomore Avery Fitzgerald, a Mississippi State commitment, led Southside with 18 kills, while senior middle hitter Hannah Holland added 11 kills and 5 aces. Sophomore Hannah Hogue, who has orally committed to Arkansas, enjoyed a solid overall game with 6 kills, 11 assists and 25 digs.
Sports on 10/28/2018