Greenbrier escapes Vilonia volleyball

By Julie Storing
UCA sportswriting

GREENBRIER—The Greenbrier Lady Panthers defeated the Vilonia Lady Eagles in a five-game 5A-West volleyball match at the Panther Pavilion on Tuesday, 23-25, 25-7, 24-26, 25-16, 15-11.

This was their first conference victory after a loss to Siloam Springs, the five-time defending Class 5A state champion, last Thursday and put Greenbrier's record at 5-1 overall, 1-1 in conference play.

“Momentum is everything,” Greenbrier coach Cindy Hartman said. “We got prepared and buckled down.”

Greenbrier lost the first game by a narrow margin. After falling behind 8-3, Hartman called an immediate timeout to try to boost morale. After getting back in the game, the Lady Panthers managed to close the difference with two kills by senior Kalea Hogg and senior Summer Richard. With Vilonia up by 16-11, GHS junior Morgan Colclasure served six consecutive points to tie the game. Vilonia quickly regained the lead, but the Lady Panthers managed to take it back after a block by junior Abby Mallett and a kill by Hogg. Vilonia tied the game again, and even though the Lady Panthers continued to fight for the lead, Vilonia prevailed, 25-23.

The second game showed a completely different side of the Lady Panthers as they dominated the Lady Eagles, 25-7.
The Lady Eagles’ defense proved impenetrable as Vilonia found it nearly impossible to score.

“I thought the girls played well defensively,” Greenbrier assistant coach Rachel Atkinson said. “At times we struggled, but they showed heart and increased their intensity. Several of the girls stepped up and took charge.”

Colclasure served seven consecutive points to end the second game.

Game 3 proved to be another close one with the Lady Panthers staying in stride with Vilonia but falling 26-24 in the end.
With the game 4-2, junior Jessica Nichols and Mallet blocked for a point. Senior Summer Richard served another point before Vilonia regained control of the ball and scored three points. Hogg made a kill for another point, and the Lady Panthers continued to add to their score until they had a lead of 10-5.

Vilonia quickly caught up when the Lady Panthers' defense relaxed and Vilonia’s offense strengthened. The two teams remained within a few points of each other until the end of the game, and despite good serves including two aces from senior Brittany Edwards, Vilonia took the third game, 26-24.

Game 4 resembled the second game with the Lady Panthers dominating, especially Nichols, who put down three kills and two blocks.

Game 5 finished with the Lady Panthers taking the lead early and keeping Vilonia from taking the upper hand. Junior Kayla Waters served for six consecutive points in the game.

Colclasure finished with three aces and seven assists, and Edwards served four aces. Hogg and Nichols put down seven kills apiece, and Nichols made five blocks. Mallet recorded six kills.

“The seniors stepped it up in this game,” Atkinson said. “Hogg stepped it up on hitting and Edwards stepped it up on defense.”

Hartman said that Edwards helped to get the team moving.

“Edwards made a difference with moving the ball,” she said. “That was a focus on getting the offense moving.”

The Lady Panthers will travel to Greenwood, which has finished runner-up to Siloam Springs in the state tournament the last three years, next Thursday, Sept. 10 for a match at 5 p.m.