Lady Lions' hope for win dashed by Lady Saints

October 5, 2021 at 1:03 p.m.

by Michael Eckels

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Lady Lion Ella Pinches (Gravette 17) launches the ball back over the net into the front row of the Lady Saints during the Sept. 28 Shiloh Christian-Gravette conference volleyball match at the Saints' gym in Springdale.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Lady Lion Ella Pinches (Gravette 17) launches the ball back over the net into the front row of the Lady Saints during the Sept. 28 Shiloh Christian-Gravette conference volleyball match at the Saints' gym in Springdale.

SPRINGDALE -- The Lady Lions, hoping for a win, traveled to Springdale on Sept. 27 to face the Shiloh Christian Lady Saints in a conference barn burner. From the opening serve, Lady Lions and Lady Saints fans were in for an action-packed match.

The Lady Saints jumped out in front with five straight points in the first set. A timeout by Lady Lion coach Britney Davis turned the momentum slightly in favor of Gravette. With this shift, the Lady Lions were able to put points on the scoreboard. However, a series of simple mistakes were made by Gravette, and Shiloh began pulling farther ahead once again. The Lady Saints claimed the first set, 25-19.

By far, the second set was the most exciting with both teams battling it out with several long volleys. Gravette jumped out in front early and managed to maintain control of the set for a short time before a few hitting errors enabled Shiloh to catch up and overtake Gravette. The match was tied at 22 all when three straight points gave the Lady Saints the set, 25-22.

Shiloh Christian captured the third and final set, 25-19, and the conference victory in straight sets.

The Lady Lions faced the Pea Ridge Lady Blackhawks in a fierce rivalry battle Thursday night at the Competition Gym in Gravette. In the end, it was Pea Ridge that walked away with the victory, three sets to two.

Gravette crossed the border into Missouri Saturday morning to participate in the Neosho Volleyball Tournament. In a two-set match, the Marchfield, Mo., Lady Bluejays defeated the Lady Lions, 2-0. The Lady Lions took on a more familiar opponent when the team squared off against the Rogers Lady Mountaineers. Each team walked away with a set for the tie.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS A Lady Lions player makes a save near the sideline by using a forearm hit to send the ball back to a team mate during the second set of the Shiloh Christian-Gravette volleyball match in Springdale Sept. 28. This save started a long volley between the two teams which ended with the Lady Saints taking the point.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS A Lady Lions player makes a save near the sideline by using a forearm hit to send the ball back to a team mate during the second set of the Shiloh Christian-Gravette volleyball match in Springdale Sept. 28. This save started a long volley between the two teams which ended with the Lady Saints taking the point.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Jayden Reams uses her fingertips to nudge the ball back over the net to the Lady Saints front line during the Sept. 28 Shiloh Christian-Gravette varsity volleyball match at the Saints gym in Springdale.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Jayden Reams uses her fingertips to nudge the ball back over the net to the Lady Saints front line during the Sept. 28 Shiloh Christian-Gravette varsity volleyball match at the Saints gym in Springdale.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Lady Lion Paige Greer utilizes a forearm hit to send the ball over her head, over the net and into Lady Saint territory during the third set of the Shiloh Christian-Gravette varsity volleyball contest in Springdale Sept. 28. The Lady Lions played hard but in the end it was the Lady Saints that claimed the conference win in three sets.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Lady Lion Paige Greer utilizes a forearm hit to send the ball over her head, over the net and into Lady Saint territory during the third set of the Shiloh Christian-Gravette varsity volleyball contest in Springdale Sept. 28. The Lady Lions played hard but in the end it was the Lady Saints that claimed the conference win in three sets.