Lady Lions take win over Lady Bobcats

GRAVETTE -- "You can't do that! You can't do that!" was the chant coming from the Lady Lion student section every time a Lady Bobcat player made a mistake that cost the team a point. The intimidation factor by the Lion student body played a role in the outcome of the contest for the Lady Lions.

Berryville was in Gravette for a 4-A Region 1 pre-conference volleyball match Thursday night in the Competition Gym.

The Lady Lions jumped out in front early in the first, picking up five straight points before the Lady Bobcats were finally able to capitalize on a Gravette misstep. The Lady Bobcats were able to stay with the Lady Lions for most of the set. But slowly Gravette increased its lead until match point when the Lady Lions took the first set, 25-19.

The intimidation factor played on the Lady Bobcat game plan during the second set when several fundamental ball handling techniques broke down for Berryville. Too many times during the set the Berryville girls would hit the ball into the stands or behind the backcourt in the out of bounds area.

The Gravette use of the double block at the net also contributed to the Lady Lion victory in the second set, 25-13, over Berryville. But the Lady Bobcats would rebound in the third set to stage a comeback that nearly won the team the set.

Gravette jumped out in front by four during the third set. This prompted the Berryville coach to use a timeout which played a key role in the Lady Bobcats capturing the lead a short time later.

As the set progressed, Gravette began committing the same type of fundamental mistakes that Berryville had trouble with in the previous set. Davis recognized this and made a few substitutions in order to rest her starters. This ploy worked.

The Gravette Lady Lions put the cap on the third set, 25-23, to win the match in straight sets.

The Lady Lions return to the Competition Gym in Gravette on Sept. 14 to take on the Harrison Lady Goblins in a three-match series that features the seventh grade, junior varsity and varsity team. The first match starts at 4:30 p.m. with the varsity contest starting at 7 p.m.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Ella Pinches (17) smashes the ball past a pair of Lady Bobcat defenders for a Lady Lion point during the third set of the Gravette-Berryville varsity volleyball match in Gravette Thursday night. The Lady Lions took the win in three straight sets over the Lady Bobcats.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Abby Smith serves the ball to the Lady Bobcat side of the court during the second set of the Decatur-Berryville volleyball match in Gravette Thursday night. Smith's serve set up a long volley between the two teams which ended with the Lady Bobcats capturing the point.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS After chasing the ball into the Lady Lion back court, Keeley Elsea manages to hit it back to the front line where a team mate sent it over the net during the third set of the Gravette-Berryville varsity volleyball match in Gravette Thursday night. The Lady Lions claimed the win in three sets over the Lady Bobcats.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Jayden Reams (12) manages to keep the ball in play as it heads out of bounds during the third set of the Gravette-Berryville volleyball match at the Competition Gym in Gravette Thursday night.