Volleyball Falls to Strafford in District Final

The Fair Grove Volleyball Team finished the season with an unfortunate, but very close,  loss to rivals Strafford in the district finals in three sets, with the last set being 25-23 to Strafford on October 17th. On the way to the district final, Fair Grove took down Pleasant Hope on October 16th, and the Eagles also defeated the Ash Grove Pirates on October 17th just before playing in the district final.

Volleyball districts for class two, district 12 took place over the days of the 16th and 17th of October. The district games were held at Fair Grove, and the teams that competed were Warsaw, Pleasant Hope, Skyline, Ash Grove, Strafford, Conway, and Fair Grove. Fair Grove had an outstanding record of 27 wins, three losses, and three draws going into districts and came out with a record of 29 wins, four losses, and three draws.

Fair Grove took on Pleasant Hope, Ash Grove, and Strafford respectively. The Eagles defeated the Pleasant Hopes Pirates by a convincing score of 25-8 and 25-9. The next day following the victory over the Pleasant Hope Pirates, Fair Grove Volleyball swept the Ash Grove Pirates 25-19 in both sets. The win over Ash Grove placed the Eagles into the district final on the same night. Immediately following the Ash Grove game, Fair Grove took on the Strafford Indians. The outcome of that game led to the Strafford Indians taking home the district championship, leaving the Eagles to take home the second place runners-up plaque.

Lady Eagles Captain Alana Findley recorded seven kills alongside four blocks en route to the victory over Ash Grove. Alongside Alana, Sidney Hill had seven kills, Taylor Bell had four blocks, Ryah Icenhower had 11 assists, and Marantha Holliman recorded two aces. Findley and Icenhower both had big games against Strafford, Findley recording 13 kills, six blocks, and 14 digs while Icenhower recorded 16 assists.

Fair Grove Volleyball Coach Tonya Peck reflects on the season, “We had a great year.  Our expectation are to win districts every year.  We fell short of that, but I know that the girls are hungry to make this happen and can’t wait to see the commitment to that goal.”

Senior Taylor Bell has high hopes for the upcoming seniors, “Some girls I would look to are Harley Maxwell, Alana Findley, Sidney Hill, and Shannon Collins because they have had a lot of varsity experience.” According to Coach Peck, next year’s team will have the biggest senior group that she has ever had come through the volleyball team, “They will be expected to carry on the tradition and teach the rest of the team how to be a Lady Eagle volleyball player!”

Coach Tonya Peck is already ready to start the next season, “We ended the season playing with a lot of heart and  determination.  I look forward to seeing the girls pick that up and keep moving forward with it!”