GRAVETTE — Shiloh Christian sailed into the finals of the 4A-1 District Volleyball Tournament the same way the Saints are used to, in dominating fashion.
Shiloh Christian (24-6) rolled past host Gravette in three games to move to the finals on Thursday night against Berryville.
“We have to come in here and not take anything for granted,” Shiloh Christian coach Nathan Bodenstein said. “I thought we did a good job of that tonight. I have to hand it to Gravette, they played like they don’t care who Shiloh is and gave us a fight. They hustle and get a lot of balls back.”
Shiloh Christian’s Reagan Robinson led the way with 21 kills and 14 digs. The University of Arkansas verbal commit came up big when Gravette made a run in the second game.
Shiloh Christian led only 15-13 with Gravette building momentum when Robinson crushed a kill down the line and added another big kill to make it 17-13 and ignite the run that pulled the Saints away.
“Reagan is a special player and she comes up big when we need her,” Bodenstein said. “I tell the setters, if there is just a jumbled up mess, set Reagan because probably something good will happen. She stays even keel and doesn’t get too upset when things are going bad or too excited when things are going well.”
The Shiloh Christian seniors finished 42-0 in conference play the last three years and the school has won 8 consecutive conference championships.
Alllie Pitts and Hannah Smithson combined for 30 assists and Pitts had six ace serves.
Gravette (10-7) will play a seeding game for the state tournament on Thursday at 6 p.m. against Huntsville.
“The last time we played Shiloh, we just kind of lay down and didn’t compete,” Gravette coach Katie Collins said. “I thought our effort was much better tonight. We kept fighting and gave it our best shot.”
Amanda Pinter had eight kills and Shannon McKnight had five kills. Sarah Isabell had 10 digs for the Lions.
“We worked a lot on our blocking to get ready for this game, and I am proud of the way they played,” Collins said. “(Robinson) is a great player and is going to get her points, but we tried to make her work for some.”
Berryville defeated Huntsville in five sets in the late game that took more than two hours. Berryville will take on Shiloh in the championship match at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. All four teams will advance to the Class 4A state tournament next week in Mena.
For more photos, see: http://nwamedia.photoshelter.com/gallery/Shiloh-Christian-at-Gravette-on-10-20-2015/G0000E4sh3qWQxT4/C0000yPjPNG8fqrY
4A-1 District Tournament
At Gravette Tuesday
Shiloh Christian def. Gravette 25-14, 25-18, 25-12. Berryville def. Huntsville 24-26, 25-15, 26-24, 24-26, 15-12.
Thursday Third-Place Match
Huntsville vs. Gravette, 6 p.m.
Championship Match
Shiloh Christian vs Berryville, 7:30 p.m.