HARRISON SWEEPS SHILOH CHRISTIAN FOR 4A NORTHWEST TITLE

PEA RIDGE -- Harrison dropped a tough five-set match to Shiloh Christian a little more than a week ago, but the Lady Goblins had few problems with the Lady Saints in the 4A-Northwest district volleyball tournament finals at Blackhawk Gymnasium on Thursday. Harrison fought for a 26-24 win in the opening set, then rolled to the sweep -- seldom trailing in the final two sets for the 25-18, 25-14 victory. The Lady Goblins (18-10) was strong from the service line to keep the Lady Saints out of system much of the night. Harrison coach April Mattix said she specifically tried to serve away from Lexi Richards and it worked out well. "Lexi's a strong player," Mattix said. "Normally, we try to give them the ball and wear them down, but that doesn't work for her." Richards, a 6-0 senior, finished with a match-high 17 kills to go with seven digs and three aces, but the Lady Goblins broke a 6-6 tie with three straight points in the second set and led the rest of the way. Shiloh fought back in a back-and-forth opening set and led 20-19 after Jordan Rochelle's kill. But Harrison regained a 22-20 advantage after back-to-back aces by Dufresne. Shiloh managed a 24-24 tie, but Harrison scored the last two points to take the set. Shiloh Christian coach Nathan Bodenstein acknowledged his team's inability to pass the ball was the difference. "Credit Harrison's serve," said Bodenstein, whose team won the regular-season conference title. "Harrison played loose. They looked like they were ready to win a championship. We did not." The Lady Goblins (18-10) will now open play in the state tournament at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Mena against Wynne, the No. 4 seed from the Northeast. Shiloh Christian, the defending state champions, play at 3 p.m. against Batesville, the No. 3 seed from the Northeast. Pea Ridge swept Farmington to earn the third seed and will play at 7 on Tuesday. Senior Brooklin Edwards led Harrison with 16 kills, while Linsey Choate and Olivia Ditmanson added eight kills each. Sophomore Sydni Dufresne had a team-high three aces to lead Harrison's strong service game and the Lady Goblins finished with nine on the night.

HARRISON SWEEPS SHILOH CHRISTIAN FOR 4A NORTHWEST TITLE

PAUL BOYD

Arkansas Online | 10/20/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Charlie Kaijo