Pea Ridge overpowers Gravette

!Lady Lions drop semifinal yet claim state tourney berth

— Pea Ridge owned the number one seed coming into last week’s District 1-4A volleyball tournament at Farmington.

On Oct. 22, the Lady Blackhawks dismantled Gravette, 25-20, 25-9 and 25-21 in the semifinal.

Game one was tied seven times, the last coming at 17-all on Tori Key’s kill for Gravette.

Pea Ridge then went on a 5-0 run beginning with Mikhaela Cochran’s back-row kill, followed by a Lion missed block and hitting error, then Jerika Schooley’s set and Sara Kahle’s kill and Taylor Garrison’s ace. After a timeout, Gravette clawed back to within two, 22-20, but three straight plays by Kahle at the net, including two blocks, won the game for Pea Ridge, 25-20.

Game two was one-sided with Gravette’s offense vanishing in a 7-1 start by the Lady Blackhawks.

Lions’ coach Robin Cannon called timeout and challenged her team to do something about their situation and in the middle part of the game, they nearly played Pea Ridge even (7-5) but trailed 14-7.

Pea Ridge polished off the contest with an 11-2 run with Schooley setting up Kahle for the fi nishing kill and a 25-9 victory.

Gravette mounted an effort to get back in the match in game three, forging ties at 17 and 18, then taking a 22-20 edge on Brooke Belts’ kill but could not hold on. Garrison’s ace sent the Blackhawks in front, 23-22, before Kahle shut the door with consecutive kills.

“There were a lot of emotions today, we came out ready to go,” said Pea Ridge coach Jessica Woods. “One thing we’ve battled all year is finishing in three. They came out and did that.”

“They were stronger than us,” said Gravette coach Robin Cannon. “They are an excellent power-hitting team.”

Both teams qualified for the state 4A volleyball tournament Oct. 29-31 at Mena. Gravette advanced to the semifi nal with a tough, 25-22,25-20,25-11, first-round win over Arkansas 59 rival, Gentry.

Sports, Pages 10 on 10/30/2013