Hot Springs takes fourth in Divisionals

Danielle Switalski

After playing four tough matches, the Hot Springs Lady Heat took home fourth place in Divisionals. 

The Hot Springs ladies had a tough start to the tournament Thursday afternoon when they met White Sulpher Springs.  With only three or four of the Hot Springs girls having ever played at Divisionals, the girls were nervous in their first match and lost in three straight games with scores of 23-25, 19-25 and 18-25.

After getting some rest, the girls came back strong Friday morning and swept Seeley Swan in a three game match with scores of 25-14, 25-14 and 25-12.  Team totals for this game were 16 aces, Devon White leading with five, 25 assists, MacKenzie Wood with 19, the team had 32 kills, Randi Arnold leading with 11, two blocks both from Wood and 43 digs, White leading with 11.

For their second game on Friday, the Lady Heat met Harrison for the win in a four game match.  The scores were kept close in the first two games.  Game one had a score of 25-23 and game two was 27-25.  Seeley Swan came back in game three for the win 18-25. 

“Our defense was very solid in this match,” said Head Coach Bonnie Franklin as the girls were digging up almost everything Seeley Swan hit at them. 

Hot Springs came back for a big win in game four, 25-12.  The team had 12 aces, Wood leading with four, 24 assists, Wood leading with 20, they had 41 kills total, Arnold leading with 15.  The team had 10 blocks, Wood dominating the net with eight.  The team also had 115 digs, proving their defensive skills, White leading with 32. 

“They were feeling good about things, they were playing up to their potential, talking on the floor and moving the ball.  It was great,” said Franklin. 

For their fourth and final game of Divisionals, the Lady Heat once again took on White Sulpher Springs and started off strong.  They lost their first set, in a close game of 24-26.  The girls fought hard for every point in the game and came back to beat White Sulpher Springs in game two, 25-19. 

Things took a turn when Abi Retallick hit the floor with a rolled ankle in game three. 

“We didn’t have anyone who could fill her shoes at the same level, we tried different combinations and couldn’t pull it off,” said Franklin.

The girls managed to stay strong and lost games three and four in two close game, 18-25 and 19-25 and walked away with the fourth place title. 

“These girls should be really proud of what they did and everyone came to play.  We had an exceptional season, with an exceptional group of girls,” said Franklin.

In the last game of their season, the team walked away with 19 aces, led by Wood with seven and Adrielle Massey with six.  They had 31 assists, Wood leading with 27.  Arnold led the team in kills, with 17 out of the team’s 39.  There were 11 blocks, White leading with five and 80 digs, Arnold with 21 and White with 19.

Last weekend ended the Lady Heat’s successful season, taking not only fourth place in Divisionals, but also winning the District tournament the previous weekend.

“These girls came further than a lot of people thought they would through their commitment to the game and giving 110 percent throughout the year,” said Franklin.