At one point, senior Jordan Foley just kept on serving, and serving, and serving.
With conference less than two days away, Har-Ber (3-1, 0-1) hosted a strong Webb City team from Missouri, on August 30. With a dominant performance beginning in the first game, Har-Ber rolled off 12 straight points to lead the thwart 25-7. Foley led the team with eight digs, as well as all 12 serves in the first game victory.
Har-Ber would take the match in straight sets, winning the second and third games 25-13, 25-16.
“We played great the first game, but got a little over confident in the second,” said senior Kelli Toomer. “We then settled down, and got focused; finishing the last two games with victories, ending non-conference on a high note.”
Seniors Katie Huff and Summer Morgan led the team with seven kills apiece, while Kelsey O’Dell set them up nicely with 13 assists.
On Sept. 1, conference started with a bang, a long bang. It took all five games to complete the match, and nearly every point was crucial.
Fort Smith Southside came firing early, winning the first game 25-20, but then fell in back-to-back games following the first game triumph. Har-Ber was riding high on their own intensity and the intensity from the home crowd the entire night. The third game was a nail biter to say the least, with the Lady Wildcats just edging the Lady Rebels 25-23.
“It was probably the best we have ever played together,” said senior Jamie Perry. “Our passing, setting, hitting, and serving was all on; the intensity was evident.”
With a huge fourth set looming, Har-Ber looked tired from the long drawn third set, and it showed. Southside took the simplest game of them all 25-14 to send the match to a fifth set.
What showed in the fourth, didn’t show in the fifth, as Har-Ber bounced right back and fought even harder.
“The game was remarkably close and to say we ‘fought,’ would be an understatement,” said Perry.
Southside came out with the fifth game win, match win, 16-14 to open 7A-West Conference play.
“Unfortunately, we came out a little short, but we are definitely coming back with a vengeance,” said Perry.
