It all comes down to this.

It's the final day in beautiful hot Springs, Arkansas inside Bank Oak Arena, where dreams become reality and legacies are made.

Two teams, one goal, a state championship.

It's the four a title game.

West side matching up with the Pulaski Academy Bruins.

And with that, we say hello.

Jamie Brazil alongside Alyssa Orange.

Alyssa Pulaski Academy first ever trip to the state title game.

West side's not been in 13 years.

You know emotions are going to come into play a little bit.

A lot of high emotions.

And you talked about 13 years back in 2012.

Their assistant, she was on that team.

And so it's been a while and they're both excited.

But they're also going to have to calm those nerves.

There's a lot of people in this arena.

We're on broadcast.

They've got a lot to play for.

And I know they're excited for it.

It's going to be a lot of fun.

A great matchup for West Side.

Let's take a look at how they got here in the first round match up.

West side got the bye.

That's kudos to having a great regular season.

Then beat Mina in a three set sweep Brooklyn powerhouse four set winner.

That sets up the matchup with Pulaski Academy and for West Side it's their setter Maddox Cureton who really sets up the offense.

She really does.

And when we were talking to Coach Ziegler ahead of this matchup, she said, she's just like a coach out there, like a coach in tandem.

There have been times where I've wanted to go out there and say something, and she's already saying it to her teammates and you see right there.

67 aces, 130, 173 digs on the season.

She's really someone that has stepped up with Coach Ziegler coming in here and wanting to set a culture.

She's been able to exemplify that on the court with her teammates.

Yeah.

What's it going to take, though, for West Side to knock off Pia in a big moment?

Well, this was something coach told us as well.

We're not as big as Pulaski Academy, so we're going to have to be able to be aggressive, keep the ball in play and extend those rallies and make sure that we maintain a level head.

We talked about emotion.

You cannot let the emotion of what this moment means be bigger than what it is.

And, you know, it was funny.

We talked to Coach Ziegler two beforehand and she said I was really pregnant the last time that I was here.

And she had her son, Oren, and on January 12th.

And I asked her if it's changed her, being a mom now, and she said I didn't really think that it was going to change me, but it has helped put the stress and helped really push, the training.

And I get that as a mom of two myself, sometimes you don't think motherhood will change you when it does, but I'm sure it's made her a better coach.

And she was hanging out with her son and her family last night at dinner, and he's here with her husband watching their mom coach.

So he's got a new little cheerleader in orange for Pulaski Academy.

Let's take a look at their road to the title game.

They got the bye also, and then they played a really good win team who was in the state championship game last year?

Four set winner over the Yellowjackets to make it to the semifinal matchup in a Gantlet five set victory over Baptist Prep.

And now one team left in the way.

That's the West Side Warriors.

This one sets up really well for Pulaski Academy.

Amy Smith, the outside hitter, is going to have to really bring her A-game.

She will.

And she'll do that at the service line first and foremost.

With 74 aces on the season and 265 digs, she's just a really big leader for Jason Lambert and this team.

And hopefully they can get things going again using that height.

And she's one of them.

As a senior outside hitter that can be, be really dangerous if they allow her.

What's the game plan for Pulaski Academy in a high matchup like this?

Use that height to the advantage.

Really?

We talked about that as well.

Being able to use that height that they have and the aggressiveness they have up in front of the net.

And also their well-rested coach told us, we're really glad that we had an extra day of rest before we had to come down here to Hot Springs to open up this matchup today.

Well, the energy is high and the crowd is rowdy and ready for for a state title game.

First serve from Bank.

Okay.

Coming up.

That is how it is done.

It all comes down to this.

It's the final day in beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas inside Bank Ozk arena, where dreams become reality and legacies are made.

Two teams, one goal, a state championship.

It's the four title game West side matching up with the Pulaski Academy Bruins.

And with that we say hello Jamie Brazil alongside Alyssa Orange.

Alyssa Pulaski Academy first ever trip to the state title game.

West side has not been in 13 years.

You know emotions are going to come into play a little bit.

A lot of high emotions.

And you talked about 13 years back in 2012, their assistant, she was on that team.

And so it's been a while and they're both excited.

But they're also going to have to calm those nerves.

There's a lot of people in this arena.

We're on broadcast.

They've got a lot to play for.

And I know they're excited for it.

It's going to be a lot of fun.

A great matchup for West Side.

Let's take a look at how they got here in the first round match up.

West side got the bye.

That's kudos to having a great regular season.

Then beat Mina in a three set sweep.

Brooklyn powerhouse four set winner.

That sets up the matchup with Pulaski Academy.

And for West Side it's their setter Maddox Cureton, who really sets up the offense.

She really does.

And when we were talking to Coach Ziegler ahead of this matchup, she said, she's just like a coach out there, like a coach in tandem.

There have been times where I've wanted to go out there and say something, and she's already saying it to her teammates.

And you see right there 67, 130, 173 digs on the season.

She's really someone that has stepped up with Coach Ziegler coming in here and wanting to set a culture.

She's been able to exemplify that.

On the court with her teammates.

Yeah.

What's it going to take, though, for West Side to knock off Pia in a big moment?

Well, this was something coach told us as well.

We're not as big as Pulaski Academy, so we're going to have to be able to be aggressive, keep the ball in play and extend those rallies and make sure that we maintain a level head.

We talked about emotion.

You cannot let the emotion of what this moment means be bigger than what it is.

And, you know, it was funny.

We talked to Coach Ziegler two beforehand and she said I was really pregnant the last time that I was here.

And she had her son, Oren, on January 12th, and I asked her if it's changed her, being a mom now.

And she said I didn't really think that it was going to change me, but it has helped with the stress and helped really push, the training.

And I get that as a mom of two myself, sometimes you don't think motherhood will change you when it does, but I'm sure it's made her a better coach.

And she was hanging out with her son and her family last night at dinner, and he's here with her husband watching their mom coach.

So has got a new little cheerleader in orange for Pulaski Academy.

Let's take a look at their road to the title game.

They got the bye also, and then they played a really good win team who was in the state championship game last year.

Four set winner over the Yellowjackets to make it to the semifinal matchup in a Gantlet five set victory over Baptist Prep.

And now one team left in the way.

That's the West Side Warriors.

This one sets up really well for Pulaski Academy.

Amy Smith, the outside hitter, is going to have to really bring her against.

She will.

And she'll do that at the service line first and foremost.

With 74 aces on the season and 265 digs, she's just a really big leader for Jason Lambert and this team.

And hopefully they can get things going again using that height.

And she's one of them.

As a senior outside hitter that can be, be really dangerous if they allow her.

What's the game plan for Pulaski Academy in a high matchup like this?

Use that height to the advantage.

Really?

We talked about that as well, being able to use that height that they have and the aggressiveness they have up in front of the net.

And also their well-rested coach told us, we're really glad that we had an extra day of rest before we had to come down here to Hot Springs to open up this matchup today.

Well, the energy is high and the crowd is rowdy and ready for for a state title game.

First serve from Bank.

Okay.

Coming up.

Well they are just about ready to go.

Crowd coming to life for a state title game.

Money is on the line Alyssa.

Yeah, it's a lot of fun.

There are a lot of people here for this first match of the day, including a very impressive student section for Polaski Academy.

You can hear them.

And they traveled well on West Side too.

And this is going to be a fun one.

They really did.

And Jonesboro a little bit further travel than little Rock for Pulaski Academy.

You can see them on your screen there, the Red on the right, Jonesboro, the West side, Jonesboro, and then Pulaski Academy on your left, starting lineups for Pulaski Academy.

They'll be the home team of the match.

Emma Grace Campbell, Anna Katherine Svoboda, Rachel Ardoin, Emmy Smith, Lexi George, Sophie Greenwood, and Greenlee Elmore and Greenlee Elmore will get us started for Pulaski Academy, first serve for the Bruins and here we go.

The for a state title game is underway from Bank Oak arena.

And right off the bat, it's the block for Pia and that is the height that Coach Ziegler was talking about when we talked to her.

That will be Pulaski Academy's advantage.

That's the game plan for coach Ziegler talked about that.

You're right.

That's going to be the emphasis for the Warriors Emma Bird, Macy Milner, Kimber, Veda Watkins, Kirby Conrad Maddox Cureton, the setter, and then Kadence Garland are the starters for West Side one.

Nothing PA though early in set number one.

West side back set the go with the soft stuff on the return tools.

The block.

Nice job from Rachel Ardoin and it's two to nothing.

Bruins a really good start.

And this is where if you are West Side right now this is where that level had emotion focus.

Try to get the side out and get the ball.

Coach Lambert even talked about that for his team.

Right.

Keeping the emotions in check.

Get on some runs early.

That'll really help settle the nerves and has done that thus far.

Elmore.

Another problems though for West Side.

They'll get a free ball a chance to set up some offense.

Elmore sets up to the middle out of order.

Miscommunication in the miscue gives it to West Side and that's the momentum they needed.

Now they'll get into service and see if they can go on a little bit of a run.

Macy Millner, the senior, will get the duties at the service line.

Little bit of a shank from Kimball and they'll stop play as a ball was loose on the court.

They'll reset and redo the play.

That actually might favor PA to try to set up their defense here, because they were a little bit out of system on that first touch.

So Macy Millner will get to do it again.

Head ref getting things sorted before we begin play again two one play Academy up by one early.

In the student section.

Getting a little bit rowdy.

Elmer back set off the block.

Was Ardoin.

Nice job for the Warriors.

Get the soft block.

Tipping it over.

That was Kimber Wynn too close to the net.

PA with the down ball.

It's not going to make it over.

Bruins jumped out to nothing in West Sides equal.

And this is what West Side wanted to do is to extend these rallies.

And if they can do that and set up their offense, that's what I think that they believe is going to help them have success.

Millner now with her third straight serve, they'll go right side to Ardoin Power Ball, but it's kept alive.

Swing from the Warriors win with Powell rally.

But PA was there arguing again that time on the outside.

And the attack.

No return.

West side with three unanswered a very rare error there by Amy Smith who again we talked about how many dick she's had on the season for Pulaski Academy.

Now it's the Bruins turn to see if they can side out so big.

The runs that you're going to have at a state title game.

But who can.

Why they're on the most.

And there it is.

That's the power and the height that they need to use for their example.

And if they can have those spaces, especially in these back corners, they're going to have success.

It's a really nice set up to the middle high percentage.

Yeah.

And the middle hitter Sophie Greenwood ties this up at three apiece Rachel Ardoin serve back row almost too hot to handle three ball for West Side Elmore sets middle again Greenwood found a hole.

Good placement there by Greenwood.

And that just goes to show you have to have a good mix of knowing when you want to be able to kill the ball, and then a little soft touch to find the open space mixing things up perfectly.

Found a hole in the defense and Ardoyne with her third straight serve.

Nice pass from Kimber win.

They'll go right side off speed.

Elmore sets up Greenwood again, just pushes it over.

Greenwood's having a resurgence of the offense for Pierre and if I am PA right now, I just continue to feed her until West Side finds a way to stop her.

Today broke.

Don't fix it right.

Keep going back to the well.

West side looking for an answer.

That attack off the tip of the block for the continue.

Went for the high hands and just got enough of them.

Well and they're saying that tipped it.

So that's a point for West Side.

Five four.

Now West side within one.

That's the benefit of going for those high hands like that.

You get the tips to pay dividends.

Jimmy Smith she'll get one off the block as well.

But it's dug up back row.

Nice job for Millner PA.

Now on the return Elmore sets up Jimmy Smith.

Rejected play kept alive.

And it looks like two touches on that one.

Didn't get that pushed over cleanly.

And we're tied up at five.

Back and forth we go.

Momentum shifted already.

Kept alive.

Soft block.

No one there.

West.

That'll that'll be frustrated.

A little miscommunication there because there was no one to set it to.

Kirby Conrad was diving, trying to keep the play alive, then kind of look to her teammate with her hands out.

Miscommunication, perhaps six five.

And I think in matches like this you need to produce your offense, but it's going to be the team that limits the miscues that usually comes out on top.

It will be.

West side back set.

Nice attack from Kirby Conrad again.

Oh what a spot.

Try to sneak it in and hit on the return.

It's Kadence Garland with a kill.

And that just goes with the feel of the game.

And being able to kind of have an idea of what each team is doing and where they are.

And you alluded to it earlier.

You know, the hitters that can attack with power, but then also take something off of it to find their placement.

PA responds, though on the other end, Lexi George, the senior middle hitter, gets the kill back row and they love to have her in the lineup.

We talked to coach and she's been dealing with an ankle, so to have her in this state championship game is going to be big for PA.

That's a good point.

George rolled that ankle in that fifth set against Baptist.

Weren't sure if they would get her.

But hey that extra day of rest really helping out.

She's looking fine right now.

Seven six PA on top by one.

Early in set number one they go with the slide, but Cadence Garland wasn't quite set up just yet.

The attack goes long.

Macy.

Adam.

It's the junior setter now to serve for the first time in the game.

Attack trying to go down line but just ran out of real estate.

Well, that was Kimber Wynn trying to tuck that one in down the line.

Yeah and I appreciate that.

Trying to get it right there.

Because again when I played volleyball we said if it was in it's all the way in.

There's no such thing as just fits in.

It's all the way.

And she tried to sneak it but didn't quite get it.

And that's what you see out of it's coming in to serve the ace.

The first of the day for either side.

Macy.

Adam.

It's pushing her team's lead out to four.

That one's handled nicely though by the Warriors.

And the attack from Kimber Wynn.

Too hot to handle Wynn gets the kill and ends the run with McLean.

And this is where those emotions start to play.

Just focus in and shake that off.

Timber went awarded to the serve Lexi George her attack.

Nice job by Veda Watkins.

The big swing off the soft block kept alive by Emma Smith.

Powerful but it set right back George tips it over.

Scramble.

Wesson keeps it alive.

It'll be a free ball though.

A chance for some more offense.

They go back to Emma Smith.

Soft block kept alive Warriors.

These long rallies are so crucial.

Dig back row nicely from Sloane Campbell.

Smith just has to push it over.

Done to clean that up.

Powerful.

Swing off the block and cadence that one all the way.

And this time it's all the way in.

And that's well done.

And again that goes back to extending the rallies.

And they feel like on West Side if they can get a rhythm going and set up their offense like that, that is where they are the most successful.

How important is it those long rallies back breakers for the opposition?

Right.

It really is on both sides.

But you always have to remember getting back into position.

Volleyball is such a fast moving paced sport that you can't let what you did affect what you're about to do.

So you just had a great kill.

That's great.

You better get back in position to do it again or to play some defense.

And so you got to make sure all six girls are in the right spot.

That's right.

Because Lexi George is coming.

She gets a kill to push it.

Right.

Coming right back.

Now a lift for the Warriors.

Another miscue to four point advantage.

Now for the Bruins.

Have you liked what you've seen thus far from PA?

It seemed to really settle the nerves a little bit.

Right.

They have.

I'd like him to see.

I'd like for them to be a little bit more aggressive at the net right now.

I think in me Smith has had some good opportunities at the net.

Maybe Lexi George, a little hesitant, potentially with her ankle.

I'd like to see her be a more aggressive as she's playing well, just like that.

Aggressive just that.

She might have heard me.

Jaden Scarlett sends it back, though.

I think you're right.

I think Lexi George has got a bug in the here.

She might be worse to the broadcast.

That attack wanted to go high but could get a touch.

And she is such an advantage to this defense for par.

Just watch her jump at the net.

She holds her hands.

She's already.

She doesn't even need to jump to do any blocking.

When she jumps, her entire hand and her wrist are over the net.

That's how high she jumps.

Huge advantage as a middle blocker.

And that's what Coach Ziglar talked about is beating the block for Pat.

Got to be quick on their attacks.

Got a picture moments out of sorts this time though.

Tight to the net.

Garland tips it over on the party ball and West Side is the indication that West Side continues to take advantage of.

The up here at times has had some what you think is going to be a nicely set up offense, and there may be some touches that go a little bit awry.

West side to their advantage though, has taken and capitalize on those moments.

George tips it over.

Right there though was Cureton the setter?

And that swing finds its way through.

And that's when you're PA.

You just have to just stay the course.

And and for West Side you don't have the height.

But that's where you try to just throw off their game a little bit and they're having success doing that.

Really nice pass sets up George.

That's nice is the aggression that I want to see.

Well done by Lexi George to side out for her team and come take a break.

It's been the Lexi George show of late really coming on strong there in the middle tied to the net.

Emma Grace Campbell the junior Diaz service line handled by West side back row power for Macy Milner.

Macy Miller.

That was impressive.

He is going to want to side out as quickly as possible.

Do some rotations.

Get Lexi George back in here.

You get Max Cureton off the line two.

She's serving her number eight numbers are incredible this year.

Diaz able to handle that off this off block out of it sets it up to the middle handled by West Side Millner who stepped up shot there by Greenwood.

Take a look at that man.

And that's what you do when Lexi George's and in the rotation at the moment.

You just got Greenwood to step in her place.

What a luxury to have the defense from Sophie Greenwood and Lexi George 1511 overpass almost troubles for West Side, but they're able to score it out of it.

Bump set from Campbell are tipped it over but West Side send it back now.

Svoboda into the game.

Nice dig.

Back row from Kimberlin Milner roll shot kept alive.

Back set.

Doesn't find his spot.

No trying to sneak it in.

She tried.

And she had success with that play before.

Yeah.

But she was just a little too close to this side of the net.

Pushed it a little too far out.

And it's nice because it looks like a back set to your right side is going to hit instead.

I at it though.

I still keep doing it.

Go back to it.

That attack from Sophie Greenwood kept alive.

Timber wins.

Roll shot now pay Ardoin hammers it for the kill.

Rachel.

And that was a player that coach Jason Lambert talked about are doing.

Doing big things as a sophomore.

Got a very bright future now with the service line.

Cureton set go to the outside and Kimberlin.

But PA was ready.

Emma Smith goes with the soft stuff.

Now the roll and B Smith winds up sent back on the attack.

No go middle the laser.

But it didn't have enough topspin.

I like the aggression.

Good attempt there by Greenwood.

Snapped that wrist a little bit more to get that ball just to drop a little quicker.

Your eyes get big when you're in the middle like that, because it looks like it's going to be a high percentage there.

Now Emma Smith is blocked at the net.

That's a great job from Kadence Garland and Kirby Conrad.

Well done there.

Coming Conrad with the cue ball.

What is Garland getting out of that two piece on her face.

She knew exactly what she accomplished.

Swoboda hammers that one back row.

No return for a West Side.

All the weapons that seems to distribute.

Well, I think that was a key.

Emma Smith, Sabata are doing George Greenwood.

They've got a lot of mixture distribution.

They do.

And right now that's what they're using to their advantage, seeing if they can wear down West Side a little bit.

If you're West Side though, you're seeing some holes, but you can take advantage of just keep plugging at it and keep attacking.

You're going to find success, miscommunication Garland in Conrad out of system and pass punch to lead out to four.

I think Coach Ziegler wants to talk things over.

She calls the timeout with her team credit for it.

You can't allow it to stretch out too much further.

No.

And if I'm Coach Ziegler, I'm just saying, hey, take a deep breath.

We're we're doing really well and we're doing some good things.

But now you get to a point where you want to regroup your energy a little bit and see if you can focus 1814 and set number one will step aside from Benkovic.

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And out of the timeout Berkeley Cortney Moore will be on the service long her first time into the game.

Big moment for the junior West Side back set.

Courtney Moore kept it alive and then tracked down by Sloane Campbell for her to get her arm out there to just kind of stop it.

She's rotating back in.

This is going to get Greenwood back into the game.

Really cool moment for Berkeley.

Cortney Moore, the daughter of West Moore and Ashley Courtney.

I know that guy tells me in pregame.

That's right.

I know he got to be a proud dad moment.

And I was like, look at you.

You don't have to be on the broadcast with us today.

You get to be a dad.

Enjoy it.

Sure.

West and Allison love, and they get to see their daughter out there living her best life.

Yeah.

I asked him how he was feeling, so I'm nervous.

I did it.

West side, out of the timeout.

Have scored two straight.

Now back row swing.

Did they get a touch.

They did.

Did wrong.

And that's what she wanted out of the timeout.

Now that's three straight points.

You're only now down by one.

And that is exactly what Coach Ziegler wanted to see.

What must have just grazed the arm of immigration boy for the Warriors.

A chance to tie things up on this sequence.

Swoboda trying to make sure doesn't happen.

Easy chance now to set up the offense.

Garland in the middle and we're tied.

Is 11.

I really like the energy that West Side came back out.

When it's out of that timeout.

What talk about setting up the offense quickly with Lexi George in the front line.

Able to find its way through Garland.

Use the power to Conrad serve handled back row by Pulaski Academy Emmy Smith sent back and now Elmore trying to go with the push set on the back row.

West side was ready though.

Warning a tip not going to get it.

Kirby Conrad's attack went long.

And you know, I get that they wanted the tip because we talked about how high Lexi George jumps, but I think her timing was a little bit off by the time that she was at the peak of her jump, the ball was already gone past.

There was a good angle of it right there, but.

Just not quite touching the fingers to pass in front by one, but not more.

Well done by cadence to find that spot.

She's working hard right here for the Warriors in the front row.

She's doing a lot right mixing up her attacks.

Power soft stop.

That was not soft at all from Lexi George a game in the middle.

Let's see if I can take advantage of that.

Get some side momentum on their side.

In this 2019 in set number one.

And now Emma Smith at the service line, the senior outside hitter for the Bruins five points away from claiming set number one West side is only six points away.

It's going to be a battle ready to close out the first set.

Nice dig.

Back row from Kimball.

Are doing something too hot to handle.

You mentioned she's just a sophomore.

You know coach Lambert excited for what her future looks like with me right down the power alley.

Really good recovery to a little bit of a mid system attack and are doing make some pay Emma Smith serve return by West side.

That attack from Millner kept alive are doing her swing through the block past the back row.

And it's back to back kills.

So stoic to watch watching her.

No facial reaction.

She is all business today.

All business.

Got to love it.

Pushes to within three attack for Millner sent back West side scrambling.

They'll get it over with a free ball from Cureton.

They'll set it up.

Adam.

It's to George and it's money jail timeout.

Coach Ziegler her final one of the set pay and the faithful.

Loving it.

Well done by PA to get some momentum after it looked like West Side went on.

A little bit of that run.

But West Side here got to be able to get back and set up that defense.

After you make a big offensive play for Lexi George.

Now that's her fifth kill of the match.

Tied her with Caleb Garland for West Side.

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We talked to a lot of the coaches about this week, of how it's grown over the years, and how big volleyball has become, and we get to bring it to you right here on Arkansas PBS.

Well, we're glad you're with us.

JB Brazil.

Alissa orange, a wonderful Arkansas PBS crew out of the timeout.

West side looking for an answer, trying to slow things down.

They scored four in a row after the last timeout, hoping for something similar.

Really good pass set up to goal in the middle.

Nice play from Kimball to keep it alive.

Ardoin.

Millner with a nice dig.

Quick tipped over by Cureton.

I like that thought.

Trying to kind of slow it down against PA are doing her attack back row kept alive.

And the one is a kill for Kirby Conroy.

That is what West Side needed right now to try to get back into this one.

Those long rallies after timeouts.

Big for West and in their favor.

They do what can serve.

Now Millner off the block.

Timber ball can't keep it alive.

It's 2321 now.

And Coach Lambert talked to him before the match.

He said he didn't call a lot of timeouts.

He said, I like my players to go out there, kind of figure it out.

But you got to think of West Side gets too many more.

Wants one right there.

Yes.

He knows he's felt what happened the last time they came out of a timeout and went on a four point run.

He doesn't want that to happen again.

We kind of saw that building right.

You're only two points away.

Don't allow West Side.

They had the momentum the last two points.

And think about how big that point to make it 23 to 20 was for West Side.

Because if Lasky Academy makes it 24 to 19, that feels very daunting with a match point on the line.

And so now you've got that momentum back and you're able to see if you can put a rally together.

You know, I've been impressed with Coach Ziegler.

You know, she was here last year as the head coach for win.

The way that she picks her moments and coaches in game or really barn done the time up that she calls, she knows how to get her team sparked and rolling.

She does.

As we take a look at today's officials are one for the matchups J Morgan, R2 Rhonda Quarles, Scott Crotty and Kayla Braswell are the two line judge is back to action packed time out, hoping that it stunts the run against West Side.

Bay to Watkins serve.

Nice diving pass to the middle Lexi George it's been there.

It's there again.

That's what he wanted.

And he knew exactly who he wanted to feed to get that point.

Figure.

So this is huge now for West Side.

It's a really good set piece out of the timeout.

Knowing exactly how you wanted to set it up on the Grace Kimball with set point her serve handle Cureton to Millner off the block and West side gets one back.

To you now have Maddox Cureton at the service line and we talked about her.

She's got aces to her name and.

LPA try to tip it over on the attack.

West side drilled by Conrad.

They'll get it now a chance to set up some offense curtains.

Got option Millner back row.

And she finds it past the diving Kimball for both of these teams.

And this is just our first set here.

Here.

What is it?

Staff?

We've been like we've been here for a while.

We got to tighten Cureton, who's been great at the service.

And it's characterized by P.A.. You got to be kidding me.

It won't matter.

Go.

Left hand attack from Conrad or Tyree, 24.

Man, if I'm here in that huddle, I just calm down.

Take a deep breath.

You know we got it.

You have to win by two here.

Good to get the service back.

So you got to win by two in a time like this.

Is the first to 25 under attack.

Goes long out of play.

It's set point for West Side.

But Coach Lambert called a rare second timeout.

Yeah this is right where you want to be right now.

If you're West Side you can tell the crowd and the momentum is there.

If you were Coach Lambert right now you're just telling him to focus and trust your skill.

Trust your arms, trust our height and just go out there inside out and make sure.

And Lexi, I love this.

We're sitting here right in front of the huddle, and she raised her hand and stepped inside the huddle and had something to say to her teammates.

So leaders do no doubt about that.

And I think it matches like this.

Really.

You make it this far.

You're really, really good.

It comes to those types of moments senior leadership, managing the emotions and executing what it looks good.

Exactly.

And you know that both teams on both sides of the brackets, they got here for a reason.

So it's those little things.

It's the timing.

It's being in the right spot.

It's following the ball.

Those little things are going to determine a state championship.

No timeouts left for either side.

West side's hoping they just need one more pass.

Trying to get a stop.

Cureton serve handled by Campbell.

They'll go middle attack.

It's been there and we're tied Sophie Greenwood with the hammer.

Well done by Sophie.

And she was over there encouraging her teammates to she knows she understands.

And that's exactly what her teammates needed this.

So now the setter Greenlee Elmore one of the setters will be at the service line.

Goes with a soft stuff.

Floats it over.

Kept alive.

Oh my.

And West side returns the favor with the kill it around.

And I understand there Kimball wanting to go for that one but I think is she to left it alone?

It might have been out sometimes in those moments, your instinct is to say, go for the ball.

Got to go quick, as does P.A.. We're tied again, 26.

Oh.

Rachel Ardoin will now serve for Pulaski Academy.

Who wants this first set?

They know how big it is.

Pass the triple block.

What a placement for a West Side.

Really smart placement there.

You saw that whole the minute she got a triple block, she knew she had an opportunity to just kind of push it right over into no man's land.

That's a junior making a very veteran play.

It's so easy to want to power that through.

Conrad goes with placement, and it may lead to a set winner trying to make sure that doesn't happen, though.

Emma Smith off the soft block punch for Emma Byrd.

Cureton back set.

That was Conrad now playing on the inside.

West side was in the net tied again.

It's 27 all.

I don't know if this is ever going to end JP.

This is a great way to start this championship.

I was just thinking that what a great way to bring the energy this morning.

Who needs coffee.

We've got high school ball.

It's right here.

Powerful swing from Conrad, but a great dig back row.

They'll go again Rosa.

Now Emma Smith.

Great dig from Jada Watkins.

That attack she found time.

And that is what they needed.

Their timing has been a little bit late, but not then when they needed at the most.

Well done there.

That was for Boulder that got most of that.

Wow.

And now it's set point for Pulaski Academy Sophie Greenwood trying to put it away.

West side looking for a stop.

Cureton to Garland.

Oh.

Oh no.

I think it was.

Pick side was in the net.

I think that's if they go back and look.

Yeah, that was that was it was for bonus hand.

And it looked like her hand when they jumped up.

There we go.

They I think that's the right call.

It is the right call.

And I understand she kind of knows it too.

She said yeah I think that's the net.

She's not going to say it.

While they're debating it.

She's like, yeah, I did that and a big play because the point is got to go to somebody.

It does.

Now we're tied again.

Tornado overpass.

It's kept alive though but a chance for offense for West Side Garland pushed it to Campbell.

She was there.

Smith looking to jump ahead.

But back row was Millner.

That attack diving save Salvador able to push it to George.

And that attack back row into the net.

Right.

Another set point.

Yeah.

And PA needed that one.

It's tough back, Conrad.

When she went up for that attack, the ball had already dropped so much.

Didn't really have enough time to get underneath it.

Once you're in the mid air, it's kind of tough to readjust it.

It's Macy Adam.

It's the junior setter.

A chance to put it away for PA in the first set.

Bump set from Cureton Garland was there.

Free ball a chance to claim the set.

Smith.

It's rejected.

What a play though from Campbell to keep it alive by curtain.

It's chaos.

Sure Tim was there now.

Bump set to Watkins.

Free ball.

That's not what you want.

No.

If you are West Side right now, you want to attack at the net.

George thought it was over, but Watkins back row.

And that's just a proven.

And that was something you're in me, Smith.

Nothing you can do about that one just froze right there.

And that's going to happen.

But well done by West Side.

What a play from timber.

When now she's in the service line out of it.

Sets to George wasn't quite right.

He just had to tip it over Millner back row dig from Sloane Campbell.

She's been huge in the back row for today.

Quick center dump.

No problems for PA back bump set to Emma Smith.

Cureton to Millner.

Dynamite.

And they have froze on these kills twice now back to back.

And that is why setting up your offense for those kind of plays is so important.

Instead of the three balls that we saw during that last rally, this may be one of the longest sets in a state.

Don't jinx it.

Yeah, well that's right, keep just one into the JP.

I know we want volleyball, but goodness, it's too early for that right?

It is never set back.

Was Smith George for the tie things up now Millner trying to claim the set and Smith swing by West side.

Wow what a side.

Left side wins the first set 3129.

Plenty of action left.

Don't go anywhere.

We got a good one in Hot Springs.

And in.

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What a crazy finish this set.

One 3129.

Milner sealed the deal and set on an eight barnburner of the first set.

And if you're a milner, you had such a good game for West Side to start things off.

And that's exactly where you want to pick things back up.

Seven kills in our first set.

How big is it going to be for to respond?

Any time you lose a long set like that, the team that loses, you feel like they've got something that they're going to prove, maybe overcome.

Well, and that's where you got to take a deep breath.

And that is where kind of finding that a level head and being able to say, okay, take a deep breath.

We're good to go here.

Because that was exhausting for a lot of high energy.

And you two went back to the bench, took some water, and now you got to wake back up.

Cademy hitting a buck 76 as a team in that first set.

West side high or 237 for the miscues may have piled up for par.

I say all that, but what P-a really needs to do is rely on their talent and their skill.

They've got it.

They've got the height.

Use your advantage.

Get back to what you do best.

And that's everything at the net.

Yeah.

And you look at where the production has come.

Lexi George, six kills, Sophie Greenwood.

Both of those are your middles.

They lead the way with a total of 12 kills.

There's only six kills from the outside distribution.

And if I'm Pierre right now, keep feeding 11.

Keep feeding her.

West side trailing one.

Nothing in.

Set number two.

Point been active all game.

Has embraced Campbell diving, save to no avail.

West side gets another kill.

You can tell the game plan though from West Side.

Really nice job of making sure the pens aren't the ones beating them there.

They're allowing Georgia in the middles and Greenwood to have their day, but they're trying to limit Adon and Amy Smith to Smith on cue right towards us with the kill.

I got the ball.

There you go.

Put your hands back.

I'm saying put me out there, coach.

No.

You know, this is a West Side program.

And we talked about even though they haven't been here since 2012, they've got a rich history and tradition of volleyball success.

And so when Coach Ziegler came in, she said, I asked them what they wanted, what they wanted, and they said a conference championship and a state title.

Well, here they are.

And they're exactly where they want to be right now, big time.

Emma Byrd, the sophomore for their first kill of the afternoon.

This whole match has been back and fast right there.

Very impressive by Emma Byrd.

And what I love best about that service.

It just breaks the net.

And then it just dropped.

And sometimes when you're a back row player you get you get frozen because it drops so fast.

There's nothing you can do.

Big time.

Ace from the sophomore pushes West Side in front by point.

Security going to set it up off the block was Kemba went over to Smith eyes and it finds its way through.

Well done there by Smith.

Even though she probably didn't mean for it to roll down the net like it did.

It did exactly what it needed to to get them the point.

And sometimes those just happen.

I didn't mean to have it roll on the net, but it worked out.

However it works, I'll take it.

That's right.

Macy out of it's tight over the net and it's an ace.

That's her second of the match.

Big time for the junior.

And that is why they set her in and bring her in in the back row.

Because of her service and how successful she can be.

And I don't think there's anything more frustrating from a coach's perspective than three points like aces.

That's right.

Service game.

You can win a world of games.

Seen a lot of coaches roll their eyes on service situations and aces.

It's a backbreaker for sure.

Another ace.

West side back up by a point.

It's great serve from Kirby Conrad.

Tough over the net again.

The jump switches kids aces back to back for Conrad.

Amy Smith the senior telling her teammates let's go here just side out.

Because sometimes when those build, then your confidence starts to get a little shaken and you just feel the pressure of having a side out just like that.

Now you feel that the pressure is on, and that is where mistakes start to creep in.

And you don't trust your fundamentals.

The execution from two serves in a row that were hot, heavy, that one was just floated over.

Mix it up.

They couldn't.

She did that on purpose.

You've seen her hit and then she makes a mistake of her own.

But you got to tip your cap to Conrad because she had two aces.

And she said, you know what?

I see a massive hole right here.

I'm going to just drop it in and see what you do.

And on the return, they're thinking, hey, we can't allow another ace.

So they're playing in that back row.

Well, unfortunately if you're West Side, you just got them out of that situation that you had a lot of pressure on them and now that attack doesn't find its way over four hits for West Side.

And the point to be a. Emma Smith's a good server.

Good things have happened when she's been on the line this year Adam.

It's has been great.

Also.

Off kilter on that pass out system.

A good shift in it by Lexi George.

And she's gone I think she certainly maybe got her teammate.

That's okay Kennedy Wilson the other senior got really excited by I think Coach Lambert wants to make sure that they're okay.

She's checking to make sure that Kennedy Wilson's all right at the two to make sure.

Yeah she's laughing about it I think she's good.

Seven all that serve just goes awry for me.

Smith.

You know, like that.

If you're here again, that's another three point for West Side.

They didn't have to move to earn that point.

Timber win.

Nice serve.

Back row.

Kimball.

Not a harder one.

Dug on Millner.

And can't recover.

Well done by Millner there.

She's having such a great match so far for West Side.

That's her eighth kill.

Wow.

Cadence Garland and led the way for the most part with six.

Kirby Conrad and Macy Millner really coming up big and Garland on the pass crosses the plane.

And the issue is a PA point.

Man, I love the aggression there because that was a really good idea.

And sometimes that just happens.

But you see, we talked about Maddox Kurtz and being a coach on the court was telling her, hey, you can't do that.

Go straight up.

You can't bend your wrist like that.

If you go as a block, you can cross the plane.

But if it's an attack.

Exactly.

And that's what she's telling her.

Say, shake it off.

I love the aggression.

Just make sure you keep those wrist straight.

Nine all Campbell serve is a pass from Conrad.

Now Miller.

Back row.

Jimmy Smith was there.

Greenwood off the block.

Back set.

Conrad.

Greenwood.

Powerful swing.

Middle West side tracks it down.

Keeps it alive.

This one rallies.

West side's really in a nice job with their effort.

That's what they do best.

Your heart on Sunday beat her 11.

She's doing so.

I'm so impressed with the sophomore.

She's also so serious.

I love watching her play.

She's so serious.

I haven't seen her smile.

Maybe I'll just find me.

That's the goal.

But I love it when she gets a point and then she's here.

We got more to go right now.

Let's let's get back to it.

Miller with the roll shot.

Now Ottawa wants another off the tape diving save from Campbell Wind church in with a free ball out of it.

Sets it up too tall for Greenwood.

Couldn't get it over.

Yeah, she tried, but her timing just a little bit off.

But you got to commend her because she was one who dug that pass to her center to try to get back up, to get the kill and the timing just a little bit off.

This set, much like the first set, has been nip and tuck back and forth we go.

Greenwood trying to retake the lead problems for West Side, but they're able to get it over now on.

Dug up nicely by Millner.

She gets the attack.

Sit back back to Millner looking to block this.

You get a touch in a matter it lands in.

Well done by Millner and Macy.

Millner right now is just feeling it for West Side.

And she has battled over here on this outside corner.

She is the hot hand.

And they always say feed the hot hand.

Greenwood responds perfectly.

Found a spot and gets a lift.

And that's what you needed.

Right now you have Sophie Greenwood, Lexi George and Rachel Otto, one all with six kills to play.

Really good production from them in this front row.

And right now.

Tied up at 11.

Roll shot.

Campbell's there.

Elmore sets up Greenwood.

Man.

Wicked off the danger.

1211 pays the lead.

There's a look at head coach Jason Lambert.

He's got to love what he's seeing from his team.

The grit, the fight.

It's.

A big fight.

Just his second season at P-a and already leading this team for their first state title appearance.

Spent three years at Mount Saint Mary's for success there at attack.

Toronto won in the net.

We're tied up at 12 again.

This is where you got to dig down deeper.

Only in the second set.

There's a lot of volleyball to play, but that first set wore both these teams down, so now it's endurance and it's mind over matter on a mental side of things to stay top.

Oh two touches against trying to set it over.

The miscues again we talk about them.

You can produce offense all you want but the miscues when they pile up that's usually the difference.

Really good jump set Greenwood able to keep her balance and tip it over.

Good to clean that one up because that ball a little too close to the net than you'd like it to be.

Okay that's a good call.

It's tough to readjust like that Greenwood did a nice job for Pitt.

She had one low line drive.

What a dig from Kimball with the warning attacks.

Not going to get it.

We're tied again.

I want to see that one.

In the corner.

No touch.

Let's take a look.

No, I don't think there was one.

And she was right there.

The ref?

Yep.

Had a really good angle on it for sure.

That one rides the tech.

Wow.

Found its way over those.

Those are the hardest to judge.

Smith trying to go with a soft Puritan and that one another kill cleanly.

Elmore trying to get the set up but couldn't get there.

They see Newton serving a whistle.

So now Macy Millner senior outside of the service line, she's had a great game.

First player double digits and kills it ten.

Sophie Greenwood's going to give her a run for money though.

She's one away.

Yes she is.

Look at that powerful swing.

Both Greenwood and Miller hitting well two 320 hitting percentage for Macy Milner 300 for Greenwood.

Those two are playing out of their minds in a game that matters most.

Now Berkeley Cortney Moore's nice serve handled by West side.

That attack though from Emma Bird straight in.

All about timing and that's where you just want to be able to time up your offense a little bit.

Take a deep breath.

Set it back up.

Berkeley for a more trying to go on the right side.

But the service error ties things up.

Just a little bit of a outside serve there, but I like the spot she was aiming for.

If you can push their defense over here, you're going to keep them away from their strength on the other side.

Smith's attack dug up nicely.

Great pass to Cureton, but the swing in six straight back.

Kimball in.

Couldn't find a hole.

Great back there by Boda and Lexi.

George there.

It's been a great game.

First for Moda.

Two blocks, five digs for the senior.

Kadence Carmen will handle the bump set.

Bisbee sent over by Miller.

Back set.

Adam.

It's Kennedy.

Wilson now.

George on the overpass and west sides of the net.

I don't think either side really say I. That happened so fast.

I didn't necessarily see it, but yeah.

1715 now PA on top by a deuce.

They'll go back, set.

Conrad.

The soft block keeps it alive.

Campbell with a really good bump set to him and Smith.

But it's kept the line Conrad down line Campbell the dish.

Good.

Did Smith with the roll out a system free ball.

And this is where West Side just get your offense back in sync.

Children at home but this side keeps it alive Emma Smith powerful but it's dug off George throws it over.

What about Dixon from Conrad.

These long rallies.

Who's going to win it Campbell bump set Smith trying to end the long run.

And she will go down there by Emma Smith.

And now Coach Siegler runs your timeout.

You can't be mad about that rally.

But what she's telling her girls there is.

We've got to be able to set up our offense to be able to use those aggressive arms that we have.

Well, U.S.

Army is sponsoring our 2025 volleyball trivia.

The question is, who holds the Arkansas state record for most wins by a volleyball coach?

What do you say to that one over a little bit?

The U.S.

Army is where leadership, teamwork and discipline go beyond the court.

I'll give you a hint.

It does have to do with one of these two programs.

Yeah.

Well, and we talked to one of these coaches about this coach.

I don't want to ruin it for our audience.

So it is in my notes, so I won't, You already know the answer I did.

I take good notes to be better than I do.

Yeah, all these coaches given us some time this week to talk about their teams.

Really appreciate that from them.

So I won't ruin it for the audience.

But we do know the answer.

That's right.

Except for JB looked at the paper.

Yeah, I do it off the top of my head, I cheated.

You take notes, I cheat.

I was one of those students.

Yeah, I know, but you don't.

You're not my note.

That's what it was.

Not me.

Notes.

So the timeout for West Side.

They trail by three pas.

Yeah.

Up 1815.

Macy.

Adam.

It's at the service line.

Last time out of the timeout.

Just trying to calm things a little bit to try to in that run and regather after that long rally was won by Pulaski Academy of attack from Kirby Conrad in the DAC.

Is that the first time out of a timeout?

West side hasn't gotten the point.

I think you're right.

I think so.

And usually the timeout naturally is to slow down the momentum.

But usually you can't capitalize to the point.

But West Side didn't that time.

Garland with a deep roll shot of it sets up George and she beats the solo play.

One on one.

It's tough to block back.

It is tough to block that.

And they tipped it and now let's go through.

Lexi George knew it the minute she hit that ball though she likes her chances on one on ones.

What a save from West Side to keep that ball alive.

And in jumping out of the gym is Kenny Wilson okay.

Well done there by Kennedy.

She got some height there.

And also.

A great opportunity at the net for her.

And this is where we've talked about this with West Side.

They're scrappy and we've seen them around.

But they haven't been able to set up their offense the way they wanted to.

These last couple of rallies.

So this system they have been trying to recover hasn't been there.

Lexi George has been dynamite in the middle.

Long save man.

The effort from Watkins.

Center dump.

This is it was I was there.

That's going to be a we're trying to go to the net.

I don't think Maddox Cureton likes that.

She's getting some clarification from the ref on what she called and what she saw.

I think she was trying to get her hands more in a web shape, but she ended up more flat.

Just a quick clarification on what she did that got that call and now we're back at it.

Largest lead of the match for either side 2215 PA trying to tie things up.

And that is what happens when you set up your offense and you have success to put your players like Caden Scarlett into a position to have success, serve.

Now Kirby Conrad will be back to the service line.

Another thing too, that West Side needs to do is continue to keep side and out so they can get Macy Millner back on that front row.

Yeah, she's been huge for West Side.

He also has gotten a lot of different distributions.

Made them really tough to block out a system.

West side have recovered and they're two points away is par for playing in the second set.

And second serve.

Emmie Smith, the senior at the service line after set one, was a 3129 finish in favor of West Side trying to equalize out of it.

Six George really big swing, but it's kept alive.

Win with the first touch.

Now she'll give them with a free ball.

Offensive chance for Pierre Otto on off the block.

And it's him.

You got a little bit of a smile I've been watching her.

Maybe a little one last academy.

It's kind of be creeping in at some point, right?

Maybe when they win, she'll smile.

So I like what you said earlier.

It's all business for Otto on.

She it is.

And you hear the crowd for PA behind us getting into this trying to claim the second set.

Otto on the touch.

Kimball.

Bump set.

Kennedy.

Wilson on the attack.

Track down by West side.

Free ball.

Offensive chance again.

George to finish up.

And she does.

We're tied.

Well done there George.

She gets the kill and then walked straight to her bench because she knows how big it was for her to win this set 2516 third set from Banco Z coming up.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by Centennial Bank, supports communities across Arkansas, and is a proud supporter of the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS sports, providing financial services since 1999.

Member FDIC.

More at my 100 banked com.

Sports is so important to this state and the fabric of the state.

And I appreciate Arkansas PBS doing all the state title games.

And that makes it available for not just the fans in central Arkansas, South Arkansas, but fans around the entire state.

I can only think of.

The kids.

Since, well, time out the this is the biggest moment maybe in their sports careers and they have that keepsake.

Hey football fans.

David Bell.

Still here.

You know, the little touch down club as well.

But now it's time to honor our Arkansas PBS student.

All star.

And for the for a classification.

It's Gentry's call.

Smith.

Just a sophomore.

Yeah, she's got a 4.0 GPA, which is always commendable because I don't have one of those.

She's an outside hitter and wants to play volleyball in college and major in agricultural field.

Congratulations to Kylie Smith.

So you, me, with all those notes taken 4.0.

She had better, but better than I could do.

See, the notes were because I had to handwrite things.

I'm such a hey, if I write it, I'll remember it.

You know, that's kind of how I learned, but still.

Still not a 4.4.

If you wrote it down, you remember it.

Then you're going to remember the answer to this question.

Yes.

So the answer, Glenda Patterson, longtime head coach at West Side, look at that record, 783 to 205.

And she was responsible for a lot of those state titles.

Obviously, that West Side had.

And then it it dropped off a little bit.

And so now you've got Coach Ziegler here trying to rejuvenate the volleyball history at West Side.

Yeah.

For West Side their 21st appearance in the state finals they have six state championships.

Their last was in 2009.

But their last time making it to the state title game was in 2012.

And so the job that Coach Ziegler has done in her staff is quite commendable.

Her assistant coach, Brittney Shaw, was also an alumna.

And you mentioned of this state championship team and she was on that 2012 team, and she's been here before.

But other than that, and Coach Ziegler, who was here last year with a different team.

This is a brand new experience for everybody on this court at the moment.

And for Pulaski Academy.

Coach Lambert spent some time, wanted to talk about some of his assistants, alumni, coaches Lauren Whitehead, Anna Clemens, and then some seniors for last year, Kate Weatherly, Hayden Schick were huge and instrumental.

They didn't win it last year.

But getting this team to this point, the leadership that they had, every coach will tell you when you talk to them.

If it wasn't for the players who came before any team that's having success, that team would be having success.

No doubt about it.

Pulaski Academy starts things off with a kill for the one one nothing.

You know, a long set in set.

One 3129 West side one PA has responded quite nicely.

It's early in set three, but they've looked pretty good in response.

They have.

And we talked about this in the last set, that the one thing I noticed the biggest thing for West Side is it didn't feel like their offense found much rhythm on the other side.

PA finally felt like they were getting comfortable and getting a rhythm going, especially with their big hitters up front, and they picked up right where they left off.

Two nothing.

The advantage in set three reminder it's a best of five format in sets, you win three.

That's the number to get three sets in and you've claimed a state title.

That fifth set though, if it were to go to five, it's the first to 15 run by two.

There you go.

Just keep feeding the 11 we've talked about.

And I'm going to keep saying it because she is continue to find success.

That is her eighth kill of the day.

Rachel Ardo on hard to believe.

She's just a sophomore.

Just a sophomore.

And you know, every time Jason Lambert sees that he's smiling because he knows he's going to have her for at least two more years to check it.

Oh, and the response though from Garland.

Nice job on the powerful.

And that is what happens when you set up that offense.

You're going to have some success like that with the power up front.

Okay.

And Scotland just a junior Kirby Conrad just a junior.

She got both of those really talented hitters back in for Coach Ziegler.

Svoboda who's been big on the defensive side of the ball.

She pops up for a second, kill the match well and she's someone to when you look at right now with the kills Lexi George with ten Rachel Orton with nine, Sophie Greenwood with nine.

But if you're Swoboda, you're just like, don't forget about me.

I can come in here and have some.

Have some fun too.

Let me swing my arm a little bit.

What a luxury to have the options that PA really West Side has.

Also maybe utilize that.

Both teams have used three different attacks.

Is over to us.

Nice catch by Miller and Bobby Swofford with good hands.

Good hands team good to go Bobby I tried I don't have go go gadget arms like that down.

But if you did you too caught it.

We caught the other one earlier.

So I mean the table caught it.

I just picked it up and handed it back.

But yeah, that table.

Right?

Yeah.

You were there for two.

PA's lead by two.

Nice job from Kirby Conrad to keep that play alive.

Kim ball bump set to Smith and is roofed.

Emma Bird.

Well done by Emma Burton.

She's been kind of silent.

She added a little bit of a run there in that first set, but she didn't do much in that second set.

They'd like to get her going.

We talk about Erdogan being a really, really good sophomore.

So has Emma Bird been great future for her at ace for West Side tied up and four services.

And excuse us Maddox Cureton with another ace to get to her.

Add to season total.

There's another one coming.

So back to back aces for Cureton in.

The senior leader here for West Side.

So make it two for Cureton.

Just her first two aces of the match at a really good time.

Make it nice.

Nice and beautiful.

She's feeling it now.

And now she's starting to pick on this defense.

And we talked about this the last time.

It felt like West Side had a little bit of a service rally going.

Par just needs to take a deep breath and do exactly what they're doing right now.

Nicely dug up that box it back out of play.

That initially gave the point to par, but they'll reverse it is the block was knocked out of play.

It's A50 run now for West Side.

And that's a timeout for head coach Jason Lambert.

Just wants to talk about it.

But that is the start that West Side needed after par came out and had two straight points to open up this match.

There's a look at that block that went out of play.

That was enough to warrant the timeout for Coach Lambert.

Here's a look back at some history, some hot springs history as you look at the West Side Warriors.

Wow.

That's that's a pretty good runs under the tutelage of Lydia Patterson.

It really is.

And that's impressive numbers.

When you think about how long volleyball has been played in the state of Arkansas and just being able to be that dominant in the sport for so long, and that's exactly what Coach Ziegler wants to do again and recognize that there's talent, especially up there on that east side corner.

Get some volleyball talent into your program and get back to winning the way that Coach Patterson had been winning.

Here's a look at Coach Ziegler and Maddox Gerson.

Coach said she feels like curtains grown so much this year almost.

For what?

She's a second coach out of the floor when she feels like she needs to, you know, instruct her team.

Curtains are seemingly up there doing it.

Yeah.

And she also told us, you know, she's really into listening and learning.

However, sometimes you got to pull her back.

Sometimes we joked with her, it's a lot easier to pull them back than it is to pull your players and try to force them to be a leader.

You need them to be.

Fierce and certainly did.

That leads to another attack and a kill for the warriors.

It is very evident with this west side team that they go as Maddox Curtin's energy goes.

No doubt about it.

And you know, that's huge to have a big vocal leader like that, that's also your setter because she's basically the quarterback of the two.

She is.

She's orchestrating everything and letting everyone know how plays are unfolding, what she's seeing on the court.

Is to go back row two Lobero this time.

Watkins with the swing now Greenwood for P-a and she gets a kick.

So Sophie Greenwood now in double digits in kills along with Lexi George.

But Macy Milner still leading the way with 13.

But that one really well done and executed well for West Side.

They've done what they wanted to do and that's limit Emma Smith.

She's only had one kill today on 31 attempts.

But Lexi George, Sophie Greenwood and Rachel Arden have not been held in check.

And that's where I think if you were to ask Amy Smith how she feels about that, she says, you know what?

As long as someone's getting some success.

Yeah, I'm all about the distribution.

And you have to imagine Coach Ziegler knows Emma Smith's numbers.

She's incredible.

Well, you talked about it in the open.

They're trying to make sure Amy Smith is not the play that beats them.

It is.

And now you've got Lexi George that you're focused on.

And Sophie Greenwood and they're they're stepping up.

And if you're West Side you're just making sure that you're just paying attention to where everyone, especially Swoboda where is she on the court makes it so difficult to block when you know this world is out there.

George is out there.

Amy Smith is out there.

Kennedy Wilson is out there.

Where do you go with the block?

There's so many options for your setter.

You try to win points with assists.

That's right.

They're doing that.

Two up three is West Side in set three is out of its serve.

Was almost too hot to handle.

Really impressive there Emma might have to adjust her body to a pass set that wasn't quite on point.

And be able to kill it down this line right here that she was able to do.

Turn her body and make sure she didn't go crosscourt.

She went down the line.

I was very impressive.

Ten six now West side.

Smith checked the Brandt.

The camera, Conrad and Garland.

They're great timing.

Just couldn't get it past the double.

Five point advantage for West Side, their largest lead of the match.

At any point.

George from behind.

Nice job to readjust.

And still going off.

She had to stop her body there.

But she's got the height to be able to at least get it over the net.

I'm sure she wanted a little more power behind that one.

That's going to be a lift called against Kimball.

Wind ball just stayed in her hand a little bit too long when she pushed it over.

Yeah, and that's okay.

In the moment you're just sometimes trying to.

And you see coach coaching or sometimes you're just trying to get things done right.

So you try to execute a play and it'll happen.

Nice pass to set up Conrad.

Sit back.

Out of it's to George again from behind the set comes and George gets it off on it.

Free ball chance for some offense for the Bruins.

Center down one handed save from West Side.

Out of it's time to the net.

Back at Kennedy.

Wilson with a hammer.

Oh she's got one of the most energetic swings that we have seen today.

And she comes to the net with power man.

That was a fun show to watch.

It's like springboards up.

She does so good.

Comes out of nowhere.

Yeah sure a trampoline down there might be even harder ones.

Attack goes awry four point lead now for West Side.

Rare error for her but.

I like the idea.

She's played great.

She really has for her team.

As a team Lasky Academy now hitting 208 high back George in the middle.

Strike out.

I love that she knew exactly what she wanted.

She's been waiting to get up to the net to just be able to have that kind of power.

And she looks great off after that one.

That was a drop the mic moment, I think, for Lexi George, Coach Lambert all smiles as well after that kill from George Cadence Garland off the block and she returns the favor.

Not smiling now is Coach Lambert.

No, but we'll see what West Side is able to do here.

They've got timber wind at the service line.

But man, you really want to build on that momentum.

When you have a player like Lexi George make a play like that.

They call a double against the originally given the point to the Bruins.

And then West Side now whistled for the point there at five.

We've seen a little bit of everything today that goes back to affect your mentality, right?

Your mental focus here.

Right.

That's the first ace of the day for Campbell.

When.

We saw a tight one in the first set 3129 winner for West Side.

Then to the second set 2516.

But now the Warriors will find some success here in the second set on set three.

Now a lift.

And that is what the third time this set that West side has been called for a lift like that and.

You wonder if it's frustrating them a little bit.

The crowd doesn't like it.

Sure.

Coach Ziegler doesn't like it either.

Well, she's a competitive coach, isn't she?

Greenlee Elmore at the server side, with her team trailing by five turns and sets up Garland, tips it over now.

Elmore out of system.

Campbell the back set to order one.

It's there.

Great location there by Arden.

Want to get that point for PA.

Man great topspin to pass the diving win.

This is a good rotation for Elmore at the service line.

Millman looking for her hands and she got him.

I want to watch that one again.

But Macy knew it the minute she hit it to.

Yeah, that one was tipped to Watkins.

Just serve.

1611 PA looking for answers in this third set.

Millner through the block.

Kept alive.

Just tipped over.

Whistle blows.

That's tough a double hit.

Yeah.

Gosh.

And that's so hard in that moment.

The last game.

Again let's get your live action photos from the game at my AARP PBS.org.

Backslash photos, grab free downloads, have prints made.

These are great championship keepsakes.

Can you imagine the action shots from this game?

J.B.

Man, I bet they're incredible.

Sign me up.

We had so much action.

Really.

It's been a little bit of everything.

Very tight.

First set, second and third sets have been, you know, seem to jump out this set.

West side jumping out.

You've seen a little bit of everything.

But I think the one thing that's been so impressive from both teams is the energy and the grit that they've both shown.

That really has, especially after the marathon of the first set that we endured and they endured even more on the court.

Little mistakes, little things here and there, the double hits, the lifts.

You're starting to see fatigue creep in.

But there's a lot of volleyball left.

And that's where we continue to go back to who was going to keep a level head, who's going to be able to be mentally tough through this whole entire thing.

Coach Lambert is hoping the timeout slows the run of West Side, and he goes right to what he's heavy hitters and on on.

It's handled though by the Warriors.

No attack diving save.

Kimball tight to the net.

Tipped around and pinball Millner again.

Kimball goes to Ardo on tip off the block.

Scramble free ball from West side.

Does it make it over?

Won't matter.

West sides underneath him in the cross.

The play him.

Yeah that one's unfortunate.

Just being aggressive trying to get that ball.

And sometimes you just can't control your body as much as you want to.

Then you can cross the line as long as part of your foot is touching.

But the whole foot crosses.

And that's what happened for West Side Response, though, for Miller, she takes matters into her own hands.

She does.

And they got to get her going here in this set to close this one out.

That is her 15th kill J.B.

wow.

She's had a great match.

And you know, her attacks and kills have kind of piled up.

Not saying that she hasn't had a lot of chances, but she's really done a nice job of executing what her name is.

Call exactly.

But she's got a lot of power and that's when she's on this outside corner here.

It's an outside hitter.

The power she has to go on the cross is what West Side wants to take advantage of.

And then you see on the replay it's the youngster Emma Bird who's had a really good job defensively at the net.

Greenwood pushes that off the block at the line.

Shorten to Miller.

Sit back on the block.

He needed that one in the worst way to get themselves back offensively.

But it also gets Lexi George back in the game.

No kidding.

That's going to be the weapon you imagine is going to try to get them to spark a little bit of a run.

Now Courtney Moore to serve her nice job.

Back row dug up though by West Side.

The roll.

Bumps set two tight to the back and that's what's hard.

My best friend in high school.

She was a setter for years on our varsity team.

And she didn't want those blocks personally.

Give her some space to work.

Well, you hear all about it to make sure you knew about it when she hit it, especially being a set it as the starting center as a freshman.

So Macy knew she was good.

Who's also good?

Macy Milner yeah, her first ace of the game.

But she's got 16 kills, a 324 hitting percentage.

She also has 14 digs for this team to walk.

Evans leaning left side.

That was back to back aces.

Now for Millner.

She's trying to close out the third set PA in a position they haven't been in this whole entire match.

Down nine overpass I took the charge with the last touch and west sides two points away.

This crowd JP getting loud and red.

And the warrior faithful had a lot to cheer about.

They struggle with Miller serve here in this sequence.

Just trying to side out.

Let me Smith the role.

Free ball here to capitalize here on the offensive side and set it up.

Go to Georgia Power and she's looking for a high five.

That's exactly what she needed Lexi to set up that offense to get the side out.

That's the call right.

Go to Lexi George to get you some points.

It is.

And now you've got Macy Edmonds who's also had some success serving against West Side today.

She's been really good has out of it's got two aces.

That attack from bird.

Sit back.

They'll do it again is the take when puts West side set point Chandler with the kill in the third.

So making the ball well I think the idea was to attack quick against the blocker.

And this set certainly West side has done a great job.

Boom.

They're doing bird.

And she knows she can see it.

But that's okay.

You've got some room for a little bit of an error but not too much room I don't give them.

Yeah they'll get polite right.

They'll run with it.

Set the server.

Bruins trying to go.

I don't need to rattle off at least nine points in a row to force that back.

Nice block from Roxy George.

And that's what you need.

Just to see if you can get some momentum.

The pressure's on right now for par with match point, and they've got some work to do.

Serve from Jimmy Smith.

Curtain back set up for a block.

And there it is.

And set three belongs to West Side 2516.

They got work to do in the fourth set.

West side going for their seventh state title.

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What a dandy.

We have been treated to setting the bar very high for the other matches.

We've got.

This has been an incredible match.

He's going to have to for a fifth set if they want to win their first ever state title.

And one side, theoretically he's 25 points away from another.

Well, the last time West Side won the first set to respond and won the second.

So let's see if they can hear respond here in the fourth.

On the one down line.

But it just missed the line.

That's where I would have gone to.

So I, I don't hate that for par.

But.

Really wanted that point.

Just try to keep it.

It's tough to do that angle and all the way out into the net.

Sides up two.

Nothing.

We remember PA started the last set up two nothing and then rebounded and was able to.

It's right West side was able to rebound.

So.

We see a repeat on the opposite end.

Maybe we'll see.

Down ball saves by Smith set up for Greenwood.

Back row from Kimberlin was there.

Now Milner gets it to the block.

Nice save from Ardo on her tips.

Blocked and set back back set up no more was there on the tip.

Long rally.

Ardoyne back row.

Dig.

Win.

Milner.

Another long rally.

Swoboda high hands kept alive.

Conrad back row and she gets the kill.

There goes those wall rallies going in favor of West Side.

And as we've talked about, they set up their offense every single time.

That is what they need to do to get those points.

Now that's a good point.

You know staying in rhythm, staying in system.

That one.

Too hot to handle though from PA a nice response from the Bruins.

PA saying if they can start a little rally on their own, they're hoping it starts with hard on at the service line.

A little bit of some trouble from West out on the return.

Nice job.

Elmore found a hole back home, but Veda Watkins tracked it down.

No more is read by Sophie Green one.

It's for Mona.

That's that height coming into play.

Two on her serve again.

That time a good pass to Cureton.

That went a little bit off the mark by Cureton to Garland.

Ellis now bump set Milner trying to punch it through.

And sure, she doesn't have to kill it every time to have success.

And a great location there for her to spot that.

It's a great sign of your outside hitter, right?

When you know you don't have to just completely go with the power.

You've got a lot of things in your back.

That's 17 for Milner.

Wow.

And that's and that is where again, sometimes those balls just drop so much quicker.

You feel like you're in the right spot.

Your feet are set, your arms are set, and then all of a sudden it drops maybe a foot sooner than you think it does.

That's ten service aces for West Side in the match to only three for par.

Amy Smith finally getting back into the action.

She's been held in check, but she rips that one through the block.

And that's ten points.

I'm sure Coach Lambert would love to have back to those aces.

It's come from six different players.

Wow.

You know usually you've got one player that's putting the ball out of the ace numbers.

West side's had a handful.

On the biggest stage to Milner gets another kill.

Give her a deal with it too.

Well done by Milner.

And that is why she is so, she's such a weapon for them when she is in that front row.

Maddie Stewart in this for now.

Carrington at the service line.

Campbell to pass George back row to long in the air on this side.

And that's usually been there for par.

That usually has.

Again we talked about the wrist just snapping the wrist a little bit longer.

Have that ball drop sooner.

But that is her third ace for Cureton.

Wow.

Now gets back in on the action.

Off the block out of play pulling it in seven.

Feeling well down there by Swoboda.

And just go up there and put it on that location.

That spot right there by the by the line that's so hard to defend.

Now Macy out of it.

Who has two of the three Bruin aces.

She's been tough at the service line to recover from.

Really really good day for out of that set Wilson Kennedy was timing just a little bit off there Wilson's.

And she wanted that one bad just a little too soon.

On her approach.

Just a tad out of sync between out of it and Wilson.

The error gives West Side a four point advantage.

They'll set George two wrong again.

There's some frustration there.

And in this team huddle I think that's a really great time out here by Jason Lambert.

Because she can start to see a little bit of frustration not just on Lexi George's face, but everything seems a little out of sync right now for Pia.

You know, and we mentioned that Georgia's attack from the middle has been there pretty much all match.

When they've gone long, you kind of feel like the momentum deflate for a little bit.

But if you've watched to some of these balls that have gone long, her timing is off.

Yeah, she's having to have to kind of stop her body.

You want to be able to hit the ball on your attack at your peak over the net, and she is having to either not jump at all or slow her body down and hit the ball when she's about three feet off of the net.

You want to be a little bit closer to the net?

Sure, your momentum that way, and I think that just kind of comes with getting back into sync in rhythm with your setter.

Yeah, I would absolutely agree.

We've seen a lot of her attacks have gone straight down because of her length and height.

But the higher she can hit the ball at her peak, the faster it's going to go down and it'll stay in and not go out looking for answers.

They'll go to Amy Smith, who's been there all season long, and she comes in big here.

She's been quiet.

We've talked about it.

She's had her teammates around her step up.

But that's why she is who she is.

She can come in and be what she needs, when she needs them to be.

Cuts that deficit to for now.

Smith awarded with the serve.

Cureton backs it to Byrd.

Good pass from Smith George.

There it is.

What?

She rumbles straight down.

That is exactly what you want.

That is her spot right there.

Right at the net at the height of her jump.

And it allows her arm to go down further where she's not hit.

She's hitting it here.

And you can't see me as I demonstrate this on the broadcast, but you going to be able to hit it closer in front of your body than behind your body?

Rachel ATA one pushing down line.

Nice.

Did for Millner.

And now Kimbo Lamb goes long on her swing.

Sailing a little bit too high for her.

Max Cureton kind of directing traffic through the center between the serve.

But it's an ace for Smith.

Is is something.

You talk about aces.

That's just the fourth for.

The serve receive game is so big right.

If you can get these aces it's easier said than done.

And it depends on who you ask.

If you're a coach, they'll tell you it's the most frustrating thing in the world for points like that.

Wilson with the down ball dug up by Cureton.

So a bump set and that one didn't make its way over three straight.

She had a little bit more momentum on that one, but she hit that one at the bottom of her downswing and it went into the net.

The PA faithful giggle out of rally behind us.

Smith's serve that was handled by Watkins.

Miller.

Excuse me.

Conrad on the left by West Side.

You look at Coach Ziegler.

You had your captain, Maddie Curtain looked at her and she said, I didn't see it.

Yeah, yeah, something's just a little bit off with her technique.

So the corner lift on that attack from Conrad.

Tough call, but it's ten nine now.

Pat.

Center not one handed save from out of it's back.

Bump set to Ana on.

Really nice job from room home.

That did Conrad's attempt kept alive trying to win the long round or what a save from Cureton that high up Conrad sent back.

But it's kept alive.

The effort in this rally, it's unbelievable.

Now Ardoin is blocked.

What a stop for side.

Well done there.

What a block by west side to feet.

That one right back into our one.

That was a powerful hit by number 11 was they had the double there.

Paid off tied now at ten in the fourth set.

Cadogan gets it through that time.

Another kill.

The crowd getting loud again.

They've been quiet on us for a while.

It's good to have them back.

Trying to fuel their team.

The big comeback here in the fourth set and for the fifth set.

Cadogan another make it up.

Baker's dozen for.

A match it has been for the sophomore.

Campbell at the service line.

Conrad will have the bump set to Garland.

It's set back.

Conrad sneaks it through out of it.

To the net.

Greenwood.

Powerful, but it's nicely dug up by Millner.

Set it up on a miss.

It looks that one works.

Well done.

She's been trying to get that all match and that one pays off.

That was a smart play there by Adam.

It's it's now an eight one scoring run for Pulaski Academy.

West side trying to stop the bleeding Garland tips it over all the way.

Keeps it alive.

But there's a left.

So now Conrad will be at the service line for West Side after the miscue.

Likes to serve it back row.

Smith was there.

Quick set.

Greenwood in the middle.

It's cash money goes on there by Greenwood.

There's nothing that West Side defense could do for that one.

That one came just too fast.

Really quick set up anytime you got the solo block Garland was there.

But it's tough one on one against a really good offense.

Greenlee Elmore at the line to serve with her team up by three.

Sheridan good set up to Garland.

Probably not the attack that they wanted though.

Barlow on it goes to Sparrow to and capitalizes.

Wow what a turn of events here.

And again we looked up and it felt like West Side had that momentum.

And now it's a 15 to 11 game.

And so Ziegler has got a timeout that says a lot to pay.

And this resiliency of not being able to just hang your head.

1511 you're right.

It talks a lot about this program.

The grit that they've shown that that West Side has shown to Coach Ziegler wants to talk things over.

But man, what a match it has been.

1511 we had we really knew from the very first set, 3129 that we were in store for a very good one, and it has certainly fit the billing.

It definitely has.

And obviously we've seen the momentum go back and forth, but I've been really impressed with both teams being able to capture it back and try to go on some rallies and not just let things snowball.

That goes back to that level headedness and being able to take a deep breath, call the timeouts when you need them, and come out of these timeouts with the right mentality and the mental focus.

But we've seen the response really from both teams for the timeout has called, seemed to slow the opposition a little bit.

That's what Coach Ziegler's hoping for against.

The Bruins looking for ten more points and send it to a fifth and final set.

Out of the timeout.

They ice the kicker ice to the server if you will and it goes long.

I love the reference.

Happy college football Saturday everybody.

But that's what West Side wanted and that gets them going.

We'll see if they win.

So now what Kimberlin can do with her service in a lot of times those timeouts can serve as a couple of things right, to talk your team over.

But hopefully, maybe the server has some problems and it worked out.

Then 1512 Millner going back row just a little room.

And they were close.

They had a good angle on that one.

I told you J.B., if it's and it's all the way in, if it's out, it's all the way out.

It's never close.

That one was just.

Yeah.

That's right.

Just a little upside.

But they called it all the way out.

It's all about always.

All the way.

The NBA fueling the run.

And they're up five.

Now he's in a groove.

And you can feel it in this building.

If you're West Side right now.

Regain the momentum if you can.

You talked about it right.

That was off the pin out of play a shake.

That's an ace for play.

You talked about this set.

West side jumped out two to nothing.

PA has responded after in the previous set dumped out two.

Nothing on the west side returned the favor.

Yeah they did I'm not saying I'm a, fortune teller or anything.

But it just felt like you knew, regardless of how these sets felt, teams were going to let that affect them.

And PA has been able to bounce back, especially after losing that last seven.

It's going to go back to normal.

No where to go on the block.

And.

Play zone 19 to 12 in the fourth set.

It's a nice third one service.

It was such an elite discretion between these two teams and we were talking about it.

And West Side still has ten like you mentioned.

But now Pulaski has six.

And they're starting to see some success at the service line.

I think that's big for climbing back.

Right.

To force the final set.

She got to get more at the service line.

They've done that Abbie Smith her attack is set back.

They'll try it again.

Second time for Smith goes off speed.

Chariton to Millner off the block.

And Millner gets a kill.

That's what they need it.

Let's see now what they can do.

You've got Veda Watkins going back there to serve.

She's got an ace of her own and.

No room for error in here, JP.

Not at all.

If you're West Side.

Really?

PA, either.

Greenwood tips it over to the net.

They didn't get over and PA gets another point.

That was a tough break for West Side there Emma Bird.

And what I would have liked for her to see is to follow the ball with her.

I don't necessarily know if she knew where the ball was.

Greenwood to serve for Pulaski Academy out assist a chance now for a good offensive set up.

Sloane Campbell bump sets the ball to set back.

Campbell bump set Amy Smith.

Her swing doesn't quite make it out.

I think they're going to say it was off the block.

I don't know that it made it over.

Frankly a break for Pulaski Academy now trying to capitalize Lexi George.

Went over the top over the top.

That's going to be a West Side point.

That's frustrating for Lexi George.

Yeah.

Soldiers come up and she does that with her blocks.

But she again has to have those strong press when she's going up there for an attack.

Now we're going to have a lift.

West side creeping back a little closer.

They're not done here in this fourth set.

I don't know if I've seen this many lifts call in the game, JP.

It's crazy.

I'm with you on that.

So Boulder attack goes long now.

The run starting to pile up for West Side.

They cut the deficit to.

Both of these teams have gone on these big point runs swinging this momentum back and forth.

And no one's ready to go home yet.

No doubt about it.

They got all day here at Banco.

Okay.

One on one Byrd sends back George on the block.

Smith atop it is long and long.

And we got a timeout for Coach Lambert.

Oh I don't I don't dislike the way that play is playing right now.

They're being very aggressive.

It's just tough breaks right.

Sure.

It's just you know being over the net or not being able to get the ball to drop in bounds.

But they're being aggressive and they need to keep that level of aggression.

The exact same way that they were.

And just little tweaks here and there.

You're going to find some success.

But I'm not mad if I'm Coach Lambert right now.

I just remember don't don't overhype yourself.

Stay in the moment.

That was tough to do.

The stakes are high.

And I think you've seen just the resiliency of West Side two.

They're never they never out and the same right.

We've seen both teams go on long runs.

That's why both coaches know how important these timeouts on you know.

I don't think there's anyone you want serving right now than Maddox Cureton.

No kidding.

She's been dynamite all season.

They'll go right side Svoboda.

She finds a hole and.

Make it five kills for Emma Catherine Charbonneau.

They're checking to see how many timeouts PA has left to confirm.

One coach has one more.

He doesn't like to take them very often, so.

He told me in pregame.

He said if I'm calling two timeouts, it's usually because I can't give up any more points.

But he usually doesn't call more than one.

Naturally, a state title game I think you throw most out the window.

Yeah, you got it's all.

Now there's some discretion.

Clarification.

We're back at it.

No, this is a state title game.

If you feel like you have to call a timeout, you call a timeout.

You don't waste them.

You don't leave them on the board.

Coach Lambert, I think he's confused.

You said they use one.

They did.

So they're saying that he's got two timeouts left but only one for West Side.

22 17th May not matter.

Attack from Conrad.

Looks like PA was in the net.

That's five straight unanswered for West Side.

Millner serve is handled by Campbell.

Nice pass out to George the attack Watkins the did back set Conrad back row.

Nice job Campbell.

Keep it up Smith with the roll.

Call it timber win.

Lofts it back row.

Back set Kennedy Wilson.

Nice top spin.

Conrad.

That's to readjust.

Really nice job done.

Get it, get it get Smith.

Another row.

Diving save.

Kimball win.

Long rally soft blocks on the attack from Conrad Emma Smith trying to put the point away.

Conrad going cross court.

Nice job from out of.

It's Smith.

She's going to be on that side.

But West side victorious.

What a rally there by both these teams.

Man those long rallies are crucial.

Nice job of the blind.

They're fun.

They're fun.

Smith went with the power.

But it was since way down another serve from Miller Cassidy Lucas in the game.

Now Lucas quick action.

The freshman to jump out of the gym.

It was set Kennedy Wilson rolls it.

Miscommunication and it ends well done by Wilson again.

And he said so now that the service line the game.

What a moment for the freshman.

She hasn't been in the game been in this game yet.

First action for Cassidy Lucas big moment for the freshman.

Coach Ziegler wants a timeout.

While times you'll see him taking it 23 points right when you trail by this amount, you want to make sure he doesn't get those final two without a fight.

Talk about Coach Lambert and the success that he's had though.

It's as his assistant Gustavo.

They both won a national title at the club level.

So the tandem that they've got plus the other assistants is in good hands.

They are.

And again this is just year two.

But you set a precedent like this.

And build a culture and a foundation already this quickly.

It's not going to take much convincing to prove that you've got a winning system.

We talked to coach before the match.

He said his middles is where they like to run.

Man has certainly been true to that.

Abby Smith and the service line out of the timeout handled by Millner on the pass attack Conrad splits the block.

And you get a little sense of urgency from West Side.

They need that sense of urgency right now to close this three point gap.

Sophomore Emma Bird with a jump serve.

Boy, that's nice out of system.

Wilson just has to set it over.

Conrad gets it through two straight for Conrad on the conversation with the freshman.

I'm sure nerves are a little bit of a thing right now, but go straight up with that block.

Bird back row ball.

The dick.

All along to run on their own skin.

Interesting.

Here, J.B., this is where PA just needs to settle back in.

Nerves starting to build a little bit.

Out of it.

Set.

Wilson pushes it over.

Back row.

Free ball.

A chance for play out of.

It's got a set Wilson down.

What a spot by Wilson.

Well done there to get that one down to drop it right there on that back line.

That is exactly what he needed now at set point.

One more for pardus for the fourth and final set.

Perfect spot.

And a Grace Campbell at the service line.

Hey Randy.

The reigning back row Conrad.

Almost that same little spot that back area.

There's no one there.

And if you can find it, well done.

Now Conrad will be at the service line.

Yep.

Great placement.

Back corner.

Yeah.

Trying to force a fifth set the on dog up by Millner.

Carla just has to bump it over Greenwood pushes.

Kimberlin snakes it through out of.

It's tight to the net.

Coming.

That is tough.

That is a great dig.

There.

Unfortunately just a little bit too close to the net.

And hey Jade, don't look up now.

But we got a timeout now 24.

Oh got a win by two in the fourth set.

Here's a look at that.

Just barely grazes the net.

That's just enough Conrad to serve again.

Floats it tight to the net.

Pushed over Adam.

It's the first touch they'll set on that she's been in.

She's had a little bit of miscues these last couple attempts for her.

But that is exactly what she needed to help her team out.

Wow.

The first set we had a 3129.

In the second and third sets were dominated by either side.

These scores fitting to play.

Very fitting.

One point away from forcing a fifth set.

Timber win back row attack.

Arnold on.

Be ready now!

Conrad swings.

Let's dig for Jimmy Smith.

They'll set Greenwood to the block path outside.

And that's the left side at Sophie Greenwood right now.

What a gritty performance by Pierre to keep this one intact.

There's a look at it 2620 for the finish.

We're playing from the tip from here.

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Welcome back to Banco ZK arena, JB Brazil and Alissa Orange.

Glad you're with us for a dandy and some, some celebrity spotlight, perhaps.

Yeah.

Head coach for football.

Anthony Lucas talked about our buddy Westmore in action as well.

But this crowd on their feet, the student sections are on their feet.

And we are in for a awesome fifth set here.

JB, a five set classic to begin the state championship from Hot Springs.

Here we go.

Pulaski Academy one.

So they will serve here in the fifth set.

They won that toss.

Be ready to attack.

Now on, off the block.

Really nice job to keep it alive.

Overpass, though.

It's a point, though.

In the net on the attack.

Boy, that has been something that we want to keep an eye on.

JB, is that point awarded to West Side?

Will we see Lexi George back in this rotation?

We're not sure.

We saw Cassidy Lucas the freshman come in her status.

And if she were playing misfits that we're going to have to see.

You know we talked about her rolling her ankle right.

That five set win against Baptist Prep in the semis.

She seemed to be in a lot of pain on the sideline heading into this fifth set potentially yes.

We'll see what happens.

It's a huge storyline.

If you're West Side.

Warriors already up two.

Nothing to go with a side to Sophie Greenwood who makes some play.

Sophie Greenwood making up for it.

She understands what's on the line right here in a role that if we do not have Lexi George back in this, how much she has to step up for this Bruins team.

No kidding.

Rachel Arnold on now at the service line.

West side going with the roll.

Back row sets it over.

Cureton looking for Milner blocks Meister Bono doing what that girl might have been going out to close to handle.

Milner going back row diving save from Kimball.

Quick set.

Greenwood got a runner.

That was a great set there by Adam.

It's to Greenwood and allowed her to give so much power into that swing.

And it was Cassidy Lucas she's been playing.

It seems like in the absence of Lexi George that rotation there in that fourth set frame boy been shooting down three one exactly what her teammates needed.

That energy and fire from number 20 is infectious for this Bruins team.

Wow.

That was a missile off the arm of Greenwood.

Just rears back and pounds it gets me out 32. lead in today's world.

Rachel is missing her third of the match.

Oh they ready attack and a kill for West Side.

Much needed.

Well done by West Side here.

And now you've got Maddox Curtin in the service spot and see if they can go on a run themselves.

This is a West Side team that coach took on to play laser tag the first day of the state tournament.

They did that last year when coach was at win that you saw them well, I saw them last night at Deluca's.

I went and I got some pizza and they were there as a team getting pizza.

They got ice cream before they came down here to hot spring.

So spent a lot of time rewarding themselves.

For all the success they've seen this season, it has been a rewarding performance to build on the party.

Bowen Hill ties this up at four.

They love to reward himself even more with another state title.

You know, I'll reward myself with some pizza and ice cream too after this.

We're not.

I think we deserve it.

This has been a thriller, a delight, a treat, not a trick.

Not at all.

West side up by one.

Greenwood has three kills in the sandwich.

It doesn't matter where she is on the.

If she's in the middle or over here on the outside, she is really in sync right now in this front line.

Five apiece.

Very impressive.

And that's what you need when you need players around you to step up.

The race to 15.

In the fifth set, Greenwood now awarded with a serve and has to track it down.

Miller rolls it.

To go bump sent to Amy Smith tips it over Ellis Watkins sets up cornbread rejected by Lucas.

Look at Kennedy and Lucas and I think that's your answer right there with the freshman coming in stepping in in the absence of Lexi George.

And Cassidy Lucas was all over it.

I'm pretty sure I heard her dad.

Hahaha.

He's still on his feet.

He's taking photos.

Proud dad moment.

Absolutely.

We ready?

Conrad back row Campbell great pass back set for boda.

Brakes set up by West Side to keep it alive.

Back and forth we go in the fifth set from the back line.

So voter rolls it.

Conrad tips it back one another.

Long rally.

Smith.

Rally Conrad sneaks it through.

All done.

And that's them taking advantage of the freshman who's on that front line.

Six.

All in the fifth and final set, man.

And remember we're playing at 15 right?

First to 15 Lucas has to tip it over when was their back set Conrad off the block diving a tip Campbell.

But it won't matter.

No I don't know.

Boy, this is certainly been such an exciting match.

We get the fifth set that we deserved and it's been a tough year.

Two we do.

The fans deserve it.

Both of these teams have worked so hard this season, deserve to go all the way down to the wire here.

What a kill by senior boda on the Macie Miller service and we wouldn't want it any other way J.B., you know, and this is going to sound so uncompetitive.

Me being a former athlete, you really don't want either.

It's hard to do.

You don't want anybody to lose, right?

No, no, you just want good volleyball.

And it is exactly what we've seen.

It has opened up this state title championship Saturday and it's an exciting fashion.

It's going to be tough to top this Smith really powerful swing.

But Watkins was all over the did win goes back row.

They'll go bump.

Smith to Smith goes left hand.

Sit right back over Smith.

Free ball sure to try to set up offense to Conrad block.

And he could not for a couple of kills for Conrad.

These long rallies going to the West Side's favor.

And we've seen it time and time again.

That is how they try to take advantage of what they don't have.

Like Coach said, the height up front left sides.

Kirby Conrad sends the Warriors to first to eight here in the fifth set.

Wilson rolls it.

Cureton has to recover.

Free ball Emma Bird getting it back over the net here Lucas tips that Lucas the Newcastle.

What a position to put the freshman in and she's executing.

She is doing what she needs to be doing so you can tell she's like a I'm just here trying to play my best.

But she's done really well in the position that her team has put her in.

Certainly doing her part ties this up at Conrad.

Drilled back on the block Campbell Wayne gets it through Campbell tight to the mat going into the party.

Ball finishes.

What a move by Garland.

Such smart volleyball there to understand and awareness of the what the players on the other side of the net and where to put that that volleyball warriors back up by one was Kirb It's a good rotation for West Side and has to track it down.

And Wilson throws it.

Diving save from win a three ball.

Great job by Macy Millner there to get it over and out of it.

She set it up.

Nine.

All of a sudden in the fifth set the race to 15 is on.

Garland high hand swats the tip.

Not gonna get it.

Wow.

Campbell to serve again.

That's it.

And we're tied at ten again.

No service errors are so tough.

And now you've got Timber Wind back there to serve.

And she has an ace to her name.

Already handled by Polaski Academy Greenwood.

Now Garland tips it over.

Wilson just bumps it.

Cureton got option.

Sets up Millner looking for Hawkins.

Not going to get a touch.

If I'm Macy Millner, just get your follow through.

I think she's been used to try to hit it over the block.

But you don't have Lexi George at the net anymore.

You can have a little bit more aggression and power in your follow through arm, because you're not trying to get it over her really tall hands.

It's why they're going out quick.

Set it up from Cureton.

But the net slows it down though.

Reset.

Go to Millner again, trying to get to the block.

Not going to the double, was there from Greenwood and swallowed up Conrad.

Can't get it over the back row attacking her.

Within three.

Coach Ziegler over there just telling her, girls, we've got to get a good pass.

We have to set up our offense.

They're playing really well, and they need to adjust to the fact that they don't have Lexi George over here on the PA side.

And if your PA just stay steady.

It has been impressive to see them come out with the momentum and the power that they have to start this fifth set.

No doubt about it, man.

We've had all kinds of elite action.

Macy Millner leads all scorers with 12 kills.

Kirby Conrad's got 18.

Garland's got 12 for par.

It's Sophie Greenwood who's plummeted to the top 17 kills.

Leads the way for the Bruins.

15 for her alone and 13 for Lexi George, who has not been in since the fourth set.

It's getting so loud in here, JP.

It's hard to hear you on my headset.

The PA fans behind us, everyone's loud and on their feet in this arena with a 1210 ballgame on our hands.

Greenlee Elmore serving, trying to send Pulaski Academy their first ever state title in school history.

Greenwood tips it over Watkins bump set Millner diving save from Kimball.

What a play.

Smith back row attack is long and is within one that was good by Millner there to adjust her swing to keep that one inbounds, but allowed to push that one out of bounds.

They had a Watkins the serve Elmore trying to go slide to Greenwood.

Miscue time to 12.

And that's okay.

That'll happen.

She started off so hot to start this set.

Just get her going.

If your PA get her going up at the front of the net right now.

Ada Watkins serving again Garrett Elmore North side Greenwood left hand touch.

It's almost like Greenwood said.

Give it to me again.

Let me make up for it.

Give it to me again.

And this time she had success in exact same play.

She goes left handed.

Cue up the same play.

PA two points away from a state title.

Padawan.

Serve.

Cureton to Miller blocks it back mid kept alive.

Ball trying to go long.

It's too long.

It's match point for Pulaski Academy.

Coach wants a timeout again over here for West Side.

This is huge.

As you mentioned it is match point.

And right now it feels like PA has got the energy.

The Bruins have got a lot of energy right now.

But we have seen time and time again when their backs felt like they were against the wall.

West side steps up to the occasion.

Coach Ziegler in the lap.

She told her team, hey, you guys still have this ballgame here within to get it to two, force to win by two.

If West Side gets it to 14 without scoring, that's when you got a win by two.

Gives you a little breather.

That's the first hurdle.

Get to 14.

Tie it up for PA.

So tough right here.

Close it out.

But right now the biggest focus is you got to get this.

You got to get out of this service.

You got to get the ball back.

Yep.

It's going to be Rachel hard on the sophomore three.

That's right three aces 15 kills trying to close it out for PA.

Cureton sets Millner looking for their first ever state titles for Bulldogs.

Dug up the back row swing.

Elmore to Greenwood.

West side resilient now.

Millner shakes it.

Fanatic what they needed and West Side's not done yet.

Well done and well executed there.

Millner going to the net twice and finally see some success there.

Wow, that is.

Now Maddox Cureton biggest serve of her life gets it over.

Greenwood just has to tip it.

Crashing in.

Cureton to Millner for the tie.

It's blocked up.

Play started it their first ever state title in school history.

That is an incredible incredible getting a lot of emotion out on that court right now JP what a match.

What a battle.

What a fight for this Bruins team for this West Side team heartbreak on the other side of the net right now.

But a lot of happy tears and blue and white.

Wow.

And we said it.

You didn't want to see a loser.

You felt like they both were leaving it out there.

A five set thriller, 1513 Pulaski Academy, a first ever trip to Broncos UK.

And they come up a winner.

I don't think you could have asked for better volleyball than what we just saw, J.B.

that was fantastic.

And man, what a way to set the tone for the rest of the day.

Heart break for West Side.

What a valiant fight that they showed.

But it was Pulaski Academy knocking off the Warriors for their first, first ever state title.

We'll step aside.

We'll have you on the trophy presentation when we come back.

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It's a huge moment in Polaski Academy's history.

First ever trip to the Big Dance and their first ever state title in school history.

Sophie Greenwood awarded the most valuable player.

Man, what a great finish.

And the Bruins must reason to celebrate with their trophy as they get that championship picture.

You got to be happy for Coach Lambert, his staff, this team, the resilience they've had all season.

You tip your cap to West Side who had such a great season too.

But man they just played gritty today.

That was a lot of fun to watch.

J.P.

they get to take home the hardware.

Kennedy Wilson's hogging the trophy.

She wants it for now.

Big moment.

Smiles all around.

And again.

Heartbreak for West Side.

What a valiant fight.

But just comes up a little bit short for the Warriors final stats.

A32 winner for Pulaski Academy boy.

As expected, with the way this was so back and forth, most of the stats are pretty much mirror images of the other.

They really are.

And we understood how big the service was going to be in this game.

And we talked about the aces for West Side with 11.

But the Bruins aces seven.

Those came in those last final sets and that was really big for them.

And of course the height the advantage there with 12 blocks to double the blocks that West Side had.

Let's take a look back at our highlights Alyssa run us through just really how awesome this game was.

But the highlights from each of these teams well and this is where the height took such an advantage for par with Lexi George early on before she did not play this fifth set to get the kills that she had and up at the net two with the blocks.

But you have to look at Macy Millner 21 kills for her today and for West Side.

Really impressive showing up front by them.

And then of course my girl number 11 Rachel Arden with her kills.

Impressed with her action today as well for par.

It was a thrilling match.

Lots of excitement, a lot of back and forth.

I think that's one of the most tightly contested matches I've seen.

Certainly with the stakes as high as they are.

Wow runs the full length, as a matter of fact.

Ran a little bit long.

As a matter of fact, 120 is.

I guess it's 124 now.

Next match was supposed to start at 1:00.

That was the class five match up between Merion and Farmington.

It's still happening, but they're going to get that one started as soon as possible.

So if you're tuning in thinking you're going to have to watch Farmington Marian, it's rolling because of the five set thriller we just had.

That's what's coming up next.

Alyssa and Bobby will have the call, so be sure to tune in for that.

Should be a lot of fun.

Thanks so much for tuning in to today's coverage.

The first match for a state title, it's Pulaski Academy that take home the hardware.

The first ever state title in school history.

Don't go anywhere.

We'll be back for the five day state title game.

Thanks so much for watching.

You've been watching the volleyball state championship for a title on Arkansas PBS Sports.

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