Lady Pioneers start strong but fall

Gentry girls dominate Gravette in first set but are then outplayed

Gravette senior Shyanne Nichols digs to set up the ball during play against Gentry on Thursday at Gentry.
Gravette senior Shyanne Nichols digs to set up the ball during play against Gentry on Thursday at Gentry.

— Gravette’s Lady Lions came away from Gentry with a big win on Thursday, with the varsity team winning three of four sets and the junior high taking the match in two.

Gentry’s girls outplayed the Gravette squad in the first set, and that in spite of Gravette’s height advantage at the net. Though Gentry played strong early on in the set and maintained a healthy lead, it was anybody’s game at the end, with the twoteams tied at 21 and again at 22 before Gentry pulled ahead to a 25-22 win in the set. Kill attempts by Gravette often landed outside the court.

Though the win boosted Gentry’s confidence, Gravette jumped ahead in set two. Gentry played hard to close the gap, but Gravette held on to the lead and pulled ahead to win 25-15. Sets by Shelby Frey and Jessica Bayley and kills by Monica White and Kayla Harrelson helped seal the win for Gravette.

Set three was dominated by Gravette with Gentry onlygetting 8 points on the board before it was all over.

Gentry’s girls tried to hang on in the fourth but tired against Gravette’s stronger team and lost 25-14.

In JV play, Gravette beat Gentry 25-8 and 25-9 for the best two out of three.

On Oct. 11, Gentry also fell to Prairie Grove, 3-0.

On Monday, Farmington swept Gentry 25-16, 25-20, 25-11 in the first round of the Class 4A-1 District Volleyball Tournament, ending Gentry's season.

Gravette played Farmington Tuesday, after press time.

Sports, Pages 9 on 10/18/2011