NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANTHONY REYES ¥ @NWATONYR Brooklynn Head (27) Rogers Heritage sophomore defends a shot from Jessie Davis (16) Springdale High junior Thursday Sept. 1, 2016 in Bulldog Gymnasium in Springdale.
ROGERS — Lady War Eagles coach Lindsey Biocic may not have a very experienced team this season, but she likes their work ethic to this point.<br><br>
Biocic returns five … Continue Reading ››
NWA Democrat-Gazette/MICHAEL WOODS • @NWAMICHAELW Rogers volleyball players Emily Harris (13) from left, Litzy Artega (7) Madelyn Tauai (8) and Hannah Martin (6) celebrate Tuesday, October 18, 2016 after beating Springdale in the first set during their gang in Springdale.
ROGERS — The Lady Mounties return all but … Continue Reading ››
Bentonville West's volleyball team may have caught some by surprise when its inaugural season was capped by a trip to the Class 7A state tournament.
While the Lady Wolverines cherished the moment at the time, it just meant the stakes were raised a little higher for the second season.
"Making it into the state tournament in our first year was good for us," West coach Julie Rowan said. "So now, they've been talking about not having that sophomore slump. Last year, Everything positive was positive. Unfortunately, this year the expectation is so much higher.
The battle cry for Bentonville High's volleyball team this season can be found on the top of the Lady Tigers' schedule.
It simply reads "Unfinished Business," and coach Michelle Smith traces its origin to the end of last season, when Bentonville suffered a second-round loss to North Little Rock in the Class 7A state tournament.
"Our seniors didn't have the season last year that they felt they should have had," Smith said. "We underachieved a lot of times. As a coaching staff, we pulled out all the stops, and we were dumbfounded at the state tournament. We were speechless and … Continue Reading ››
Emily Dillard returns as the Lady War Eagles tennis coach this season after stepping away from coaching for a year. She has a solid core four returning, even though none are seniors.<br><br>
Junior Annie Stribling will likely play No. 1 singles. She caught Dillard's eye even as a freshman. The quartet of Stribling, Abby Snipes, Bernice Portal and Emily Gilchrist are four experienced players, who were on the team when Dillard coached two years ago.<br><br>
"Rachel Grom is one who has caught my eye in summer practices," Dillard said. "She's a freshman. I think that means a lot to show that commitment, … Continue Reading ››
The Rogers High Lady Mounties may return just one player who qualified for the state tournament, but that hasn't dampened coach Matt Fulton's enthusiasm for this year's group.<br><br>
Junior Brittany Matthews qualified for the state tournament in singles last year, but should pair nicely with freshman Caroline Long at No. 1 doubles this season, Fulton said. <br><br>
Junior Erica Jaggernauth, who moved to Rogers over the summer from Bixby, Okla., will likely play No. 1 singles. Senior Cameron Barr and three-year litter winner Kayla Haddock will also figure prominently high in the lineup.<br><br>
Several talented freshman will also play key roles, too, , … Continue Reading ››
Bentonville West's boys tennis team started from scratch last summer and came away with its first all-state performer when Hayden Shoemake finished fourth in singles play during the Class 7A state tournament.
The sophomore now becomes the foundation the Wolverines can build upon as they begin their second season.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/J.T. WAMPLER Hayden Shoemake of Bentonville West earned all-state … Continue Reading ››
The second time around should provide a smoother transition for Bentonville West's golf teams this fall, but it won't come without its share of challenges.
For instance, Wolverines coach Curt Yarrington had to cut players off his boys team before the season started.
"I'm carrying 15 boys," Yarrington said. "That aspect of it, as far as evaluating, has been a little harder. Of course, that's the worst part of coaching is making cuts, no matter what the sport."
West has four of its top players return from the inaugural, and that group is led by Sam O'Brien. The junior took part in last … Continue Reading ››
Jacob Winkel became Rogers Heritage's first golfer to qualify for the Overall State Golf Tournament last season, but now coach Jay Gilstrap is hoping his team can become a contender as well.<br><br>
Senior Matt Cochran and junior Logan Rumsey are the lone holdovers, who played in the top five a year ago. Gilstrap is also excited about several underclassmen, who could develop into top flight golfers.<br><br>
"Matt's a lefty, who's got a great personality for the game," said Gilstrap, who starts his 10th season with the War Eagles boys and 28th as a golf coach. "Logan is a player I saw as … Continue Reading ››
Rogers High boys golf coach Marcus Alexander can't help but be excited for the upcoming season. The Mounties return four of their top five and the lone newcomer posted the low score at the recent Springdale Bulldog Invitational.<br><br>
Freshman Andrew Fakult fired a five-under par67 to earn medalist honors and lead the Mounties to the team victory as well with
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