Category: Other Sports

Razorbacks dominate on Opening Day

August 30, 2019

By Jessica Roberson/Arkansas Sports Information

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas volleyball team secured a pair of victories on Friday on the opening day of the Arkansas Classic. The Razorbacks recorded straight set wins over Northwestern State earlier in the day before taking down Little Rock in front of a rocking crowd at Barnhill Arena.

The Razorbacks have one more match this weekend and will face Montana State on Saturday morning. After the Classic, Arkansas will hit the road to the west coast, headed to the SDSU/USD Challenge hosted by San Diego State.

FINAL
Arkansas 3, Northwestern State 0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-18)
Attendance: 304 | Time: 1:16
Barnhill Arena

Quick Hits
Stat Leaders vs Northwestern State
Kills: Liz Pamphile, Jillian Gillen – 9
Digs: Klaire Trainor – 11
Notables
Senior Rachel Rippee led all players with 18 assists.
The Razorbacks led for the entirety of the first and third sets.
Arkansas is now 4-0 all-time against Northwestern State.

Junior Liz Pamphile led the Razorback offense with nine kills to the tune of a .412 hitting percentage against the Demons. Junior Hailey Dirrigl finished with a team high .625 hitting percentage through the first two sets after taking the bench due to an ankle injury.

Freshmen Jillian Gillen and Maggie Cartwright both earned a start against NSU, combining for 15 kills. Gillen also added six digs and three block assists to her collegiate debut. In total, five Hogs saw the court for the first time since arriving at Arkansas, including junior transfer Devyn Wheeler who contributed three kills, and redshirt-freshman Maylin Garret to recorded six kills in 10 attempts.

Arkansas limited Northwestern State to an .084 hitting percentage, thanks in part to an overall team effort on the defensive front. Junior Klaire Trainor led the Hogs with 11 digs, but three others recorded six or more digs in the win: Rachel Rippee (8), Jillian Gillen (6), and Gracie Ryan (6).

FINAL
Arkansas 3, Little Rock 0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-12)
Attendance: 767 | Time: 1:21
Barnhill Arena

Quick Hits
Stat Leaders vs Little Rock
Kills: Jillian Gillen – 13
Digs: Savannah Downing, Maggie Cartwright – 10
Double-Doubles: Maggie Cartwright (10 kills, 10 digs)
Notables
Junior Devyn Wheeler recorded eight kills with a .727 hitting percentage.
Arkansas held Little Rock to a .022 hitting percentage over three sets.

Gillen stayed hot throughout day one of the Arkansas Classic, helping lift the Razorbacks to a sweep of in-state opponent Little Rock. Gillen accounted for 35 of the Hogs’ 100 attacks in the victory, recording 13 kills behind a .286 hitting percentage.

Arkansas saw impressive performances from two other newcomers as well, as Cartwright played a balanced game and recorded the first double-double of the season with 10 kills and 10 digs. Wheeler was the most efficient Hog of the day, and when combined with her .727 hitting percentage, the trio swung a striking .353 at the net.

Pamphile remained reliable on the defensive side of the ball, putting up five blocks for Arkansas. Gillen, Cartwright, and redshirt sophomore Maia Stripp also recorded multiple blocks in the win.

Arkansas controlled the pace of the entire match, never giving up the lead and keeping the Trojans at bay as to never even tie the score again after a 9-9 set score in the first. The Razorbacks led by as many as 15 points in the final set, thanks to a kill by Gillen with an assist from freshman Abbigail McGee.

The Razorbacks will return to Barnhill on Saturday morning for an 11 a.m. match against Montana State (1-1). Admission is free to all fans, parking is limited and fans are encouraged to park in Baum East down Razorback Road and take advantage of the shuttle service. Shuttles will begin to transport fans from Baum East to Barnhill Arena starting at 9 a.m. Saturday morning.

Team Photo: Heber Springs Senior Girls Cross Country

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The XXXX Heber Springs Senior Girls Cross Country Team. Front, from left, Ann Krug, Amy San, Nikki Anderson, Barbara Stoecker Baggett. Back, from left, Elizabeth Krug, Brooke Irwin, Amy Powell, and Rebecca Mays. PHOTO COURTESTY OF WINGARD STUDIOS/COACH JOHNETTE GOLDMAN

Trojans Take Home Opener for First Victory of 2019

August 28, 2019

By Little Rock Sports Information

LITTLE ROCK- Little Rock grabbed their first win of the season in their home opener against Grambling State as Julia Edholm’s 81st minute header gave the Trojans the game-winning goal in their 1-0 victory.

“In the first half we were really nervous,” said Head Coach Mark Foster. “We talked about it at halftime and we gave the girls some solutions to what was going on out there and we played much better. I think it was a win that the girls need for their confidence and once you get that first win everything starts to settle down. We’re really thankful for all the fans that came out tonight, as well as the people for the athletic department and the school who made it a great night.”

Grambling State came out with some lively play from the start, dominating possession in the early minutes. However, the Little Rock defense held strong, allowing just one shot in the first half.

Morgan Smocovich fired two shots from long range, including a driven free kick in the 65th minute, but was denied by the Tigers’ goalkeeper.

Little Rock did well to get back into the game in the second half, winning possession high up the pitch to create solid scoring opportunities.

Mari Young was extremely effective in the attack, starting the match in the striker position. She did well to create space in the attacking third and continually won free kicks near the penalty area.

The game-winning moment came in the 81st minute when the Trojans won a free kick about 35 yards from the goal. Smocovich delivered a wonderful lofted ball near the penalty spot and Edholm rose above the Grambling State defense to flick her header into the back of the net and score the first goal of her Little Rock career.

Julia Curatolo continued her great form between the posts, making one save and earning her second shutout of the season. The redshirt-freshman has now played 245 minutes without allowing a goal.

The Trojans improve to 1-1-1 on the season while they hand Grambling State their first loss of the season as they fall to 2-1 overall.

Little Rock gets back to action Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. when they head to Tulsa, looking for back-to-back wins.

Texas A&M-Texarkana downs Lyon College

August 29, 2019

By Lyon College Sports Information

TEXARKANA, Texas – The Lyon College women’s soccer team fought hard, but ultimately fell to Texas A&M-Texarkana on Thursday by a score of 1-0. The Eagles first half goal proved to be the difference maker in the match.  

Lyon is now 1-1 on the season, while Texas A&M-Texarkana moves to 3-0 on the year. 

GAME FLOW 
In the first half, each side would have opportunities, but it was the Eagles who got on the board first. In the 41st minute, Emily Juarez found Alexandra Martinez who delivered a shot that found the back of the net, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead at the break. The Eagles outshot the Scots 10-1 in the first half.

The Scots sent numbers forward in the second half, looking to knot the game at one. Lyon created chances, but was unable to find the equalizer and ultimately fell to Texas A&M-Texarkana by a score of 1-0 Thursday night.

KEY STATISTICS
– Lyon’s Sarah Evans recorded two shots on goal.
– Lyon goalkeeper, Tabetha Troxler, made a game-high five saves.
– Texas A&M-Texarkana outshot Lyon 17-7. 

WHAT’S AHEAD FOR THE SCOTS
The Scots continue play in the Texas A&M University-Texarkana Tournament on Saturday as Lyon will face Bacone College at noon.

Arkansas State downs Kansas State

August 29, 2019

By ASU Sports Information

Manhattan, Kan. – Despite only taking five shots on the night, the Arkansas State women’s soccer team defeated Big 12 opponent Kansas State 2-1, Thursday evening at Buser Family Park.

Following the win, the Red Wolves improved to 1-1 on the year, while Kansas State fell to 0-2-1.

Naperville, Ill., native, Haley Furio found the back of the net in the 28thminute, her first of the season, giving the Red Wolves a 1-0 lead over the Wildcats. The goal was setup by Junior Sarah Sodoma, who threaded through various Kansas State defenders, then sent the ball off the cross bar which found Furio just inches away from net. 

The Wildcats countered about 10 minutes later, in the 38thminute, off the foot of Hannah Davis as Brooklynn Entz was credited with the assists.

Megan McClure made five saves for the Red Wolves as Kansas State out shot A-State 27-5 on the night. The Scarlet and Black took four shots on goal compared to K-State’s 6 while only committed seven fouls compared to the Wildcats’ nine.

Cape Coral, Fl., native Sophia Restrepo was able to give the Red Wolves a 2-1 advantage in the 60thminute, when she found the back of the net in a wide opened fashion. The unassisted goal marked the first goal of Restrepo’s career.

Arkansas State will return to action Sunday, Sept. 1, in its home opener against Central Arkansas. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at the A-State Soccer Park.

Razorback Soccer draws with Minnesota, 1-1

August 29, 2019

By Ben Breitbach/UA Sports Information

OXFORD, Miss. – The Razorback soccer team played to a 1-1 draw on Thursday night against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium on the first night of the Rebel Classic.

How It Happened

>> After a quick 1-2 between Stefani Doyle and Taylor Malham, Anna Podojil turned her defender in the 21st-minute, sending a shot to the right upper corner for her first career goal.

>> Minnesota would get the equalizer after a high ball dropped inside the box before Golden Gopher Sadie Harper would put in the back of the net for Minnesota.

The Run of Play

The Razorbacks turned up the pressure early in the first stanza. Just 35 seconds in, Doyle connected with Malham, who sent a shot just over the cross bar. Arkansas recorded four shots and two corners, including a Tori Cannata header that went off the cross bar, in just the opening seven minutes.

The Razorbacks finally took the lead in the 21st-minute from the boot of Podojil. The Golden Gophers didn’t get off their first shot until the 36th-minute, which was saved by the right post.

Arkansas went into half with the one-goal advantage, leading the Gophers in the shots category, 6-2.

Coming out of the locker room, Minnesota would get their equalizer in the 55th-minute off the foot of Harper.

Looking for another goal, Malham split a pair of defenders to lead Doyle to space, but Gopher ‘keeper Maddie Nielsen made a diving stop to deflect Doyle’s first touch in the 79th-minute, as the teams headed into extra time.

Malham had another excellent opportunity as she got a shot off going across the face of goal that Nielsen could only deflect out of bounds for the Razorback corner. However, Arkansas couldn’t get anything off Parker Goins’ corner kick. Razorback ‘keeper Katie Lund came up big when she was 1-on-1 with Haley Hartkmeyer, making a save and then securing the loose ball in the 97th minute.

The two teams would stay scoreless in the final 10 minutes of extra time as Arkansas and Minnesota settled for a 1-1 tie.

UCA falls to Arizona State in Season Opener

August 26, 2019

BY UCA SPORTS INFORMATION

TEMPE, Arizona – It was a tough night for the University of Central Arkansas women’s soccer team as goals were at a premium in its 7-1 season opener defeat to Arizona State Sunday night from Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Potentially the toughest game of the season for the Bears, they faced a star studded Arizona State squad that featured six players from their respective national teams, a top honor for any footballer. 

UCA (0-1) took an early 1-0 lead in the ninth minute, but were unable to consistently create chances for the entire duration of the match. The Bears tallied three shots total, putting two on target compared to Arizona State’s 19 shots combined with nine on target.

FIRST HALF

  • Senior striker Connie Awuku-Darkoh gave the Bears a 1-0 advantage inside of nine minutes after capitalizing on a mistake from the Arizona State goalkeeper.
  • Arizona State equalized in the 12th minute and would take a 2-1 lead in the 30th minute. Both ASU goals scored by Nicole Douglas.
  • Arizona State went on to score two more goals before halftime and went into the locker room with a 4-1 advantage.

SECOND HALF

  • Central Arkansas gave up goals in the 48th and 54th minute, ultimately falling down seven goals to one.
  • Freshman Sydney Brough would create the best chance for the Bears in the second half after her 84th minute strike forced a save from the Arizona State keeper.

COACH JEREMY BISHOP QUOTES
“It’s great to be able to get out on the field with an opponent of that caliber and compete with them. To play against a team where at least half of their starting lineup is national team players from all over the world is a great experience, something we can learn and draw experience from. We are ready to get home, get back to work and be ready for our home opener Friday night.”

ON DECK
The Bears will look to bounce back Friday evening as they host Missouri State in their home opener at the Bill Stephens Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Conway St. Joseph downs Heber Springs in Volleyball action

August 29, 2019

HEBER SPRINGS – Conway St. Joseph swept Heber Springs in nonconference volleyball play Thursday night at the Panther Den.

The Bulldogs (2-1) downed the Panthers (1-1) in four sets, 25-17, 26-24, 20-25, and 25-18.

In senior girls junior varisty play, St. Joseph defeated Heber Springs (1-1), 25-14 and 25-14.

Heber Springs will open 4A-Central play with a road contest at Pulaski Academy on Sept. 5.

Heber Springs drops Little Rock Hall in Volleyball Opener

Heber Springs sophomore Jessica Blalock waits for the serve in junior varsity volleyball action at the Panther Den on Tuesday. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

August 27, 2019

HEBER SPRINGS – The Heber Springs Panthers opened their 2019 volleyball season by sweeping Little Rock Hall in three sets at the Panther Den.

Heber Springs (1-0) downed the Warriors (0-1), 25-8, 25-8 and 25-12. In junior varsity action, the Panthers also claimed a win downing Little Rock Hall, 25-14 and 25-18.

Heber Springs returns to action on Thursday when they host Conway St. Joseph (1-0) beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Panther Den.

Heber Springs opens Volleyball Season with Little Rock Hall

Panthers are coming off a program first state tournament appearance

Heber Springs volleyball coach Andrea Riggs gives instructions during a recent practice at the Panther Den. The Panthers open their 2019 season on Tuesday at home against Little Rock Hall. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

By Philip Seaton

HEBER SPRINGS – Last season was a year of firsts for the young Heber Springs volleyball program.

The Panthers had their first winning season in the program’s history which also resulted with their first state tournament berth.

Heber Springs will look to repeat on that 2018 performance when they open play today with a nonconference match with Little Rock Hall at the Panther Den beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Despite a three-set loss to the host Mena in the 4A state tournament in 2018, coach Andrea Riggs’ squad finished with a 13-8 overall record and a fourth-place finish in the 4A-Central conference in the seventh season of the sport at the Heber Springs.

“They have already said that (reaching the state tournament) has helped them and they know what to expect,” Riggs said. “That level of play helps any team. 

“We lost two big front row players (from last year), and replacing with two inexperienced players, that’s tough but we are going to try some things.”

One of the things that will be tried this year for the program is another first — a junior high team.

“We had been starting in the ninth grade,” Riggs said. “We’ve been behind the curve, some teams we play actually start volleyball in the fourth grade.”

She added that will help in building the program over the long term.

“We are always rebuilding, there hasn’t been a year where we haven’t been in this situation,” Riggs said. “Until we get something established where we have a good competitive group of junior high kids that we can move up, and maybe have some 10th-graders getting some varsity play, like you see with a traditional basketball program, then those things will help us long term.”

Though the junior high team will not compete in a conference this season because of the lateness of declaring the program, Riggs said that junior high team has potential.

“It will hands down be the best we’ve had at that age,” she said.

While the future of the program looks bright, Heber Springs returns four players from last season that saw significant varsity action.

Seniors McKenzie Becerra, Katelyn Vanlandingham and Zoe Monroe, and junior Ellie Skelton.

“Ellie is a setter, and she pretty much runs the court,” Riggs said. “McKenzie is the libero and she is pretty much our best defensive player. Katelyn is a super strong hitter, sees the court well and has great volleyball knowledge, while Zoey is a good all-around player that is going to work hard.”

Riggs credited all four varsity returners with being good servers and said overall that serving will be one of the strengths of the team.

“We will be shallow on our hitting,” she said. “Hopefully that will progress as the year goes.”

Several seniors will be moving up from the junior varsity squad and are expected to see significant playing time this season.

“Cheyenne Kent does a good job blocking the ball which is nice, and we’ll be looking for her hitting game to improve,” Riggs said. “Mayra Leal and Abi Finkbeiner are (also) both moving up from junior varsity.”

She said that is typical for her team with seniors seeing their first significant varsity experience their senior season.

“That’s when most are ready to play,” Riggs said.

A couple of underclassmen may be the exception to that rule as Riggs said that sophomore Kiley Wilson may see some varsity action, “if I have to pull another hitter, might have to go to her.” Junior Felicia Wildmon may also see varsity of action according to Riggs.

The Panthers will most likely go with a nine-player rotation.

“That is more than in years past,” Riggs said. “We are having to play on different strengths, having to move some things around and shift some things.

“There some things we haven’t necessarily run in the past that we are running this year to try to play on the different strengths we do have.”

Morrillton, which was undefeated in conference play last season, and Pulaski Academy, a 4A state semifinalist team in 2018, are expected to be the teams to beat in 4A-Central play according to Riggs. Other teams in the blended 5A-4A conference are Lonoke (a state tournament team last year), Joe T. Robinson, Clarksville, Dover and Forrest City.

When asked what it will take for Heber Springs to make it back to the state tournament, Riggs said, “work hard on every single play.”

She continued, “Are they playing the ball smart? They are going to have to think and be smart. We are not going to have the tallest girls on the court, so we are going to have to outwork them. If they go out and work, we’ll do fine. If they don’t, we’ll get beat.”

Heber Springs’ 2019 Schedule

The 2019 Heber Springs Panther Volleyball Team

The 2019 Heber Springs Senior Volleyball Players