Well, Hot Springs AR a wonderful day outside.

It was, at least for the filming of that shot.

Little rainy outside right now.

As the national anthem is concluding here in Bank OZK Arena and we are preparing ourselves for the Centennial Bank State Volleyball Championships presented by Everett Buick, GMC on Arkansas PBS Sports.

Good morning, I'm Joey McWilliams along with Madison Fitzpatrick, and we are pleased and privileged to get to be a part of this broadcast to present this class to a state volleyball championship.

Here again in the bank OZK Arena, Madison, it is Mansfield and Lavaca that are taking the court.

Today for the Class 2A state championship, these two teams no strangers to each other.

In 2022 they faced each other already three times with Mansfield coming away with the victory all three times.

Ohh yeah, so Mansfield is definitely, they've got the upper hand right now but you know, it's hard to beat a team three times.

It's even harder to beat the team four times.

And Lavaca, head coach, she said.

Now we know what they do.

We're going to try and just.

Ever settle with how we did last time and just come out on top when they need to?

Mansfield 26 and three coming into this morning's competition and again those 3 victories already over Lavaca.

Mansfield is led by a couple of players named Allison.

One first name, one last name, totally.

They got Natalie Allison, a setter and an outside hitter, which is very rare.

She means that.

That must mean she's athletic.

She's 6 foot tall, which of course that doesn't hurt.

And coach said she's very smart with the ball.

And then we have Allison Edwards middle 511.

Athletic.

That route.

Of course with Lavaca we talked about the fact that they haven't achieved everything they want to achieve right now, 33 losses again to Mansfield, but also knowing they came up a little bit short last season in the state tournament that played a big part in their theme for this year.

Yeah, Coach said very first practice of this season.

They said alright, we need a theme, we need a motto and they came up with never settle.

They said we weren't satisfied with how we did last season and we just want to have a better state-run this season.

And obviously it worked because you're they are at this at the final and they weren't satisfied and this is where they are now.

Lavaca starting lineup on the way here.

Anna Davis mainly Stockton, Madison Proctor, Keisha Mendez, Anderson Schaefer, Caitlin Fogo and Abby Melton to get things going today for the Golden Arrows 24 and five on the year.

As the two teams have the starting lineups listed, they are ready to get things going here again.

Bank OCK Arena, the Centennial bank state volleyball championships presented by Everett Buick, GMC here on Arkansas, PBS Sports.

It is a fantastic day for volleyball.

We mentioned it's been a little bit rainy, a little foggy outside doesn't matter because the temperature is absolutely perfect here inside the arena and we're getting set to get going.

The first of five state championship.

Competitions here today in the bank OZK arena class 2A3A4, a, 5A and 6A will be presented here on Arkansas PBS Sports, in that order and of course.

This first one, Mansfield and lavacca.

The Tigers looking to three peat.

And the energy is absolutely fantastic in the arena.

They've got their fans, both sides.

I know everyone's really excited.

It's a wonderful facility.

It really is a good place for volleyball, high school championships, college championships taking place here as well.

And of course Hot Springs is is such a fantastic venue for so many different things.

A great place to bring the family as well.

It was actually my first time in Hot Springs today and it is beautiful.

Really, really pretty architecture Mansfield set to serve.

Madeline Jones, a senior.

We'll get things underway here in Hot Springs.

Toss back over.

Easygoing volley to get things underway, the attack and the kill.

Mansfield on the board first.

Allison Edwards, the 5:11 junior middle, and there's Allison Edwards, you know, coach said.

She's athletic and that was a really hard angle to hit, so that's just showing a lot of range by her out of the middle.

For lavacca.

You don't want to let things get away early and a point to even things up.

Yep, Madison Proctor.

Evening things up.

Good pass in system set and the kill by her.

Lavacca first serve Anna Davis to do the honors, and Davis gets the ace.

Golden arrows on top two.

One, we talk about playing a team four times in a season and and it really, it becomes difficult just to win three times over the same team.

But it's something that Mansfield's been able to do.

But you, you mentioned this is a team that believes that it's a beatable Tigers team this morning.

Ohh, exactly.

Last time they played, coach said they got really close and that just showed the players, hey, it's totally doable and as you can tell they're coming out with a lot of energy.

After that Ace, everyone was really fired up and looking scrappy out there.

Nice dig to keep that one alive.

Deep and it goes a little bit too deep.

Lavacca with three consecutive points.

A mini run here.

The Golden Arrows under coach Shannon Todaro.

And as we know, momentum is absolutely huge in volleyball, so starting out with the momentum is really good for lavacca.

With authority, Edwards sends it down once again, responsible for both kills so far in the early going for the Tigers.

Really good in System Pass set to the middle, and I feel like they're gonna be feeding her a lot this game.

Tapped over easy dig.

And the golden arrows get to keep things going easily.

It does in fact go all the way out the block unsuccessful the arrow.

We'll get it back.

It'll be Keisha Mendez with the tool off of the middle blockers hands.

Attack strong today by the Tigers.

And pull back to within a point.

It's a really good down the line swing.

She saw that deep corner open and she just turned her body and got it there and really good swing by her.

See some height on this mannfield Tigers team 36 footers.

Yeah, coach said.

That's definitely one of their strengths, no matter what.

Whoever the setter sets in the front row can get it done with all that height up there.

Natalie Allison records her first kill of the match, and things are tied at 4 apiece.

Neither team hitting particularly well to get things started and a service error that time.

We'll send things back over to the golden error arrows.

Excuse me, Madison Proctor to serve.

He said neither team hitting particularly well.

That's how you get things going for your team.

Get the service ace.

Ohh, for sure.

I mean lavacca going after it with the serves, and I mean that's very important.

There's a fine line between going after it and then missing and I think they're finding that sweet spot right now.

That one misdirected error on the attack and lavacca after things were tied up gets three quickly.

Another serve for Proctor, that one close to another ace.

Tapped over.

Ward staying busy for the Tigers.

Another opportunity.

Strong, but a great dig.

Ward, looking to get it back, does finds the gap.

While fantastic swing by Kaylee Ward, I mean all that height and she came in, just jumped off one leg.

Just with all that height though, you don't even need to take a full approach.

Sometimes you can put the ball away.

Of Note 2, Kaylee Ward, a freshman.

Wow.

She's got a good future in volleyball.

Tries to find the tap there, gets up for the block, Lavacca brings it back, stays alive.

Not long enough.

Two quick points for the Tigers now and Mansfield back to within one, Kaylee ward just all over that ball.

Services for the Tigers?

Nice job by Allison.

And this one's tied at 7 all.

The key to this game is gonna be controlling that first pass having.

That'd be in system would be huge for both teams.

Yep, another race, another one for Allison.

They've had our number so far.

As she's tried to.

Get things over the the net.

Hitting just one for four with a couple of errors right now, but two service aces.

And taps that one back over creditor with the kill that time.

Natalie Allison finding a little bit of rhythm now as the Tigers have their largest advantage of the morning so far.

Showing that athleticism, setter and outside hitter getting kills and in every different way.

The Tigers trying to keep Lavacca out of system.

And it has been successful.

In the last few points that really a key to.

As coach Kaylee Pyle said, that was instrumental today.

They do want to keep the golden arrows out of system.

They're doing so right now, up 10, seven.

She said to keep them out of system, they want to serve the ball hard and they've been doing that so far.

She also said they wanna jump on him quick and get them momentum on their side and they're working for that right now, that's for sure.

Well, trying to regain it, I think they have.

Wow, what a nice attack.

That tie from Kinsley Ward and Kaylee ward can't find the gap this time.

Lavacca still pushing and that one pushed a bit hard, but it was touched so the golden arrows get a break and needed that point.

Really long rally.

And fantastic tool by the Golden Arrows.

She Mendez to serve now.

Hayley Ward, right back into the net.

Yes, she said.

That was my bad.

They're really trying to feed her, too, which is understandable.

She's a fool.

1 foot higher than everyone it seems, but the set seems a little low right now and she's having to tip and making a few errors so I know they'll be looking to get her back on track.

That woman sent through with authority as well, Emberson Schaefer, averaging 10 kills per set this year.

That's a fantastic stat.

Outside hitter, right?

Side hitter, 61.

Junior.

Seems like a leader on the team.

A lot of energy, Tim, the number right now, both teams having that on the scoreboard.

And lavacca, now with an opportunity.

From the line, it's gonna set things up well for Mansfield.

It does great set and Kaylee ward pushes that one over.

Mansfield retakes the lead.

You can really see Kaylee Ward's range.

I don't think she's hit a ball in the same spot twice.

That sharp cross angle, hard to read.

Listed AS64.

Emerson and a nice dig that time by Jones.

That one goes long.

Tigers get the point.

Now one of the things that Lavaca head coach said, she said in a game, we know there's gonna be peaks and we know there's gonna be valleys.

And she said, well, whether we're in the peak or the valley, we need to stay focused and work on consistency.

So I feel like right now they're in the valley.

But she said her team is going to work to get out of that and stay consistent no matter where they are.

It's a big deal for coach Todaro.

You know, she, she talks about this game being just, it's a mental game.

That one sent long as well.

Valero say they they wanted a touch.

And not gonna get that call.

So lavacca does come up short.

Asking trying to get something back and a miscue on the serve there for Mansfield.

So give a point, take a point that way exactly.

And hey, we've all served the ball like that before.

You're not a volleyball player unless you served it underneath the net.

You were saying?

Yeah.

It goes back and forth.

And you know that it it has to be one of the most frustrating parts of the game.

Trying to find that momentum and and just a miscue on a serve like that just to a giveaway point.

Ohh exactly.

You get the point you but go back to serve you wanna be aggressive.

But like I said before, there's a fine line and you really gotta find the the consistency there.

Lavacca now trailing by 4 here in set number one and have asked for the touch more than once now not getting the call their direction.

The officiating crew here.

Right on it.

It's a great spot by Cole Smith junior 59.

Southern she set that ball over and really good placement, finding the open court.

Brooklyn Adams serving now for Mansfield.

Nice tip, but the Tigers are there.

Pulling off a little bit on the attack, that time they sent a few long and and when that happens you you just hoping somebody had touched it.

It was not the case in either of the last two times.

When Levac had sent it past the baseline.

So the pulling off it looks like just a little bit that one stays in the net.

Golden arrows.

And that one went long and it was four.

Yep, Mansfield definitely has the momentum on their side right now, levack and making a lot of mistakes.

And you know it's common to make those mistakes when you feel the other team kind of gaining that lead.

But you gotta stay aggressive.

They run right now for the Tigers, a 7 to one run after these two teams were tied at 10 apiece just a little bit earlier.

Watching the Centennial Bank state volleyball championships here in the Banco ZK Arena, presented by Everett Buick, GMC on Arkansas, PBS sports as Madison, it has it's been a game in which, or at least this first set had, has been an opportunity for Lavaca in the early going, however.

Mansfield didn't go away early.

Yeah, no, no they didn't.

Both teams obviously fired up.

Giving it their all and now this is just gonna be about lavacca finding that consistency and and not shying away.

You know setting that ball tight and trying to tool the hands of of the tall front row of Mansfield.

That was coach Kaylee Pyles, Mansfield's coach.

Nice serve.

The Tigers trying to build on this run and they will add to the run Allison Edwards with another kill.

That'll be her second kill, I believe, or third.

She's got a lot of range too.

Both of Mansfield medals really delivering for them right now.

Edward's third kill in four attacks.

How about this?

Let's make it four and five.

Yeah, hitting 800 now the couple of digs along the way.

Look at that again.

Nice spot.

You feed her when she's hot.

She can see the open court right now and get the ball there.

So if I were the setter, I would give it back to her too.

Ohh over the line and landing on the ankle there.

That was not good.

Cole Smith, who has just come in the game, is is feeling that left ankle she went across.

Momentum, took her a little bit farther and she landed on one of the Golden Arrows.

Shoes as well.

That's always the scary part about volleyball.

Pretty much once a game, you'll see a player underneath the net twisting an ankle.

Sprained ankles are very common in this sport for sure.

So we will have a.

Substitution here, Lana Turner.

5-6 senior.

Will come in for Smith.

You know, as a senior, she's gonna wanna come in and step up for her team and.

Obviously player Basket last year playing get the state title.

Try to add one more ring, again trying to three peat these tigers.

Nice dig by the golden Arrows put back deep and another opportunity now, Adams.

We're gonna find Jones.

Tipped back over again, Tiger is able to stay in system pretty well here and you see the fruits of that right there.

Another kill for Mansfield and the Tigers now have 20 here and set #1.

Allison Edwards on fire.

And you know, it's not just the policeman.

She's got a lot of power behind that too.

So if you can hit that ball with a lot of power, tool it off the hands.

It's really hard to get that ball.

Edwards now with five kills in six attempts, a fantastic set number one and the Tigers continue the momentum.

Natalie Allison this time with the credit for the kill.

And the Tigers are four points away from taking set #1 here.

Natalie Allison with the really long approach, and you can tell she sees the court very well.

That's one of the things her coach said that's so good about her is that she's smart.

She knows where to put the ball.

For the golden arrows.

And maybe a timeout on the way.

We will take that time out as well, the Tigers.

Three points away from taking set #1, you're watching the Centennial Bank state Volleyball championships presented by Everett Buick, GMC on Arkansas.

PBS sports.

So important to the 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 S Arkansas, but fans around the entire state.

I can only think of the kids in small towns and this is the biggest moment maybe in their sports careers and they have that keepsake of having that game on TV to have with them the rest of their lives.

Set #1 winding down here and the momentum all in the favor of the team in red and black right now.

The Tigers on a 12 to two run.

This was knotted up at 10 apiece just a little bit earlier in Mansfield.

Putting themselves in a position to take set #1, Madeline Jones with the serve.

Opportunity for lavacca?

And that one.

Goes off to the left.

Proctor can't control it.

I mean, you have to be, you have to give the back of some credit.

They're going for these swings and they're just barely missing.

So if this can click for them in the second set.

I could see this going to four or five.

You know that is a big positive.

Is that one nice dig from Allison.

From her attack topped over.

And that is exactly what the golden arrows needed.

Proctor was right there, the six foot one junior middle averaging 9 1/2 kills per set.

That one was big.

Can it turn things around?

And I agree with.

Madison I mean, they they are not.

Pulling any punches are the golden arrows.

Great dig where to dig that out by Davis.

They're going to leave it all out here on the court and that one back into the net for Edwards, her first error of the day.

Has a fantastic outing so far, but the golden Arrows with back-to-back points, they needed them.

And you know, even if they can't get this win, they're still gaining momentum for the second set.

That violation.

Lavaca.

So set point on the way.

Serving as a Lana Turner came in just a moment ago.

Tip by Proctor.

Proctor with her.

Second kill on the afternoon.

It's a really smart location to tip the ball.

Right over the block.

Defense is a little farther back.

Really good vision by her.

Actually, I was Proctor's third.

We're gonna replay inadvertent whistle, I believe, is the call.

So they are going to.

Replay this point, it'll be set point again.

I believe he thought that was a double and then he caught himself and went back on it.

That's some nice serving for Lavaca.

Great job from Stockton.

Both teams been really aggressive with the serving and and that's the key, getting the other team out of system.

So they can't set their tall, really powerful medals and she shift things up a little bit.

She'd had it where it just dropped.

As it stands, Mansfield gets the point.

Another kill for Allison Edwards.

Fantastic set number one for the Tigers.

Edwards leading the way and Mansfield is up 10 in this state championship match.

We'll take a break.

You're watching the Centennial Bank state Volleyball championships presented by Everett Buick, GMC on Arkansas PBS sports.

Sports is 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 S Arkansas, but fans around the entire state.

I can only think of the kids in small towns and this is the biggest moment maybe in their sports careers and they have that keepsake of having that game on TV to have with them the rest of their lives.

During the past year, we've been traversing the natural state with our cinematic drone from lakes and rivers, waterfalls, scenic byways, mountains, swamps, overlooks and towering rock formations.

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We have the Arkansas PBS student All Star for 2A, Julietta Roberts, Flippin High School Middle Blocker senior has a four point O GPA.

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Congratulations to her and congratulations to the Tigers, at least in the early going away with set #1 here.

And lavacca.

Getting set to serve here in set #2, the Golden Arrows were led by Madison Proctor and Emerson Schaefer, each with two kills.

Schaefer also had five digs in the first set.

Anna Davis now to get things going here in set #2.

Davis with a dig opportunity.

Set just a little little bit behind Proctor there.

Another opportunity for the Tigers?

This job in the back row.

Mansfield just put this back in play opportunity for lavacca.

And the golden Arrows take care of business, Madison Proctor.

Madison Proctor's third kill of the night.

Nice high swing by her, really hitting at the top of her reach, tooling the hands.

Of the middle blocker.

Proctor trying to find a gap again can't do it.

The doughnut hole, the money spot right outside of the 10 foot line, the middle defender a little too far back to get that, and nice piece of open court right there.

That's a good spot to hit.

Great job.

Bye Brooklyn Adams.

That one goes a little bit long.

Coach Kyle says there's really nothing that Adams can't do either, and we saw that just a moment ago.

Labaro.

Talked about his numbers from set #1.

How about what Mansfield did in the first set?

Natalie Allison Allison Edwards, each with five kills apiece.

Kaylee Ward had four kills as well.

And that one touched and will go the way of the Tigers.

Adams had seven digs, too.

Just looking at Mansfield's numbers, they're just being a lot more efficient with the amount of times they touch the ball and converting those to kills.

Tigers is a hole and set #122 digs to Lavaca 16.

Played some strong defense and put themselves in a position to score as Natalie Allison, just a little bit behind that one, didn't get the full swing she wanted into the net.

Lavaca retakes the lead.

Yep, you can tell Natalie Allison likes to turn that ball down the line.

She was trying to do that there and just.

Like you said, it's a little too behind her.

Proctor serve.

And another kill with authority trying to get the ball over here to where we're sitting right now.

Allison Edwards continues to dominate here in our first match of the day.

Hitting 455, that's fantastic hitting percentage by her.

She can tool.

She can hit the open court.

She's doing it all for her team right now.

Back again to Natalie Allison, this time successful.

Gets through the block.

And the ball drops.

Second set was key to this match.

As was mentioned by coach Todaro had a chance to visit with her this week coming into this championship match and last time these two teams met, they were actually up and up 2419 in the second set in their most recent pairing and weren't able to pull through.

Weren't able to pull it out, take it on in win set #2, they won set #3, fell in four sets to Mansfield, but coach Todaro said look if we'd had taken care of business.

Could have been a 5 set match.

We could have won that one as well.

They really do feel like the Tigers are in fact beatable, although Mansfield not giving us a lot of evidence to show that right now we've been showing some dominance so far.

Ohh yeah Kaylee ward.

Just.

I would love to know what her reach is if she reaches her hand all the way up high because I mean she's just a foot over.

Everybody tip that ball on the 10 foot line.

Nice dig.

Melton has been there.

Quite a few times already.

Can't find the gap that time, Davis tries.

Forward again and just push that one back over.

Right place, right time.

You gotta give the golden arrow some credit.

That's fantastic.

Defense by them.

And they're not just getting the ball up, they're getting the ball up and to the center.

They're giving their hitters, hitters, a lot of in system passes.

You know, I really think that's a a big part of even why they're able to stay around for a while and set number one they they've been able to stay in system they have, they haven't really gotten out of it that much.

It's just been.

I mean, some fantastic hitting by the Tigers, a double.

And it's gonna go the way of the Tigers right now, who have doubled up on lavacca on the board, 8 to 4.

Yep.

And what you just said is 100% correct.

They've, they've been pretty insistent except for service they've been struggling a little bit, but defense wise they're giving their setters some good passes.

And keeping the ball in play.

But then you're right, Mansfield just puts the ball away.

Opportunities there.

Need to take care of some business here and set #2 Mansfield again on top by 4.

Davis trying to find that gap again.

Again.

Just a hit that goes awry.

Yep, it's really just the errors that are doing it for the golden arrows right now.

Look at the stats from here in set #2.

Two kills, 2 errors, but for the match is a whole.

Six kills, 7 errors.

And that really has has been a big part of what we're seeing take a time out on the court as we keep it right here for just a moment.

Lavaca trailing by 6:10 to four in set #2 as the Tigers are on top and and Madison you know you you mentioned this that Levac has been staying in system but for Mansfield they've been able to just keep hitting the ball well Mansfield continues to just.

Find the gaps and find that that they're, I guess accuracy has has been on display exactly.

It's really a consistency thing right now.

Mansfield keeping the ball in play, swinging to the open court, they're showing their power, they're showing their range and they've been consistent.

I don't think they've made many errors.

Whereas with the Golden Arrows you can tell they're lacking in a little bit of confidence right now and that goes hand in hand with errors.

If you're not as confident, you're not going to keep the ball in play as often.

And listen, we have volleyball action today, but you can experience the action all over again next week.

Watch all the championship games at youtube.com/arkansasPBS.

10-4 our score here, this second set match number one of the day.

Championship Saturday here in Hot Springs.

This is the place to be, the Banco ZK arena.

That was as good a placement.

We talked about accuracy just a moment ago, Madison.

We mentioned what Mansfield's been able to do.

How about that?

Miesen Schaefer.

Great.

Yeah.

No, my mouth just dropped open.

That was such a good spot.

61 junior.

That was the senior player.

That was incredible.

And you know, a lot of the times you're you're pumped up, you make a good play and you go back to serve and you make an error.

It's just volleyball.

What can you do?

It goes back and forth.

Well, from our angle, even with with that particular hit, I didn't think it was gonna make it over the net and it dropped perfectly.

Back-to-back service errors as the Golden Arrows will get it back here and Caitlin Foco to serve 59 senior middle.

Lavacca needs a big play.

To get the momentum on their side, to get some confidence, some energy, they need a momentum shift.

It's a nice swing and even better dig.

Maybe not.

Ohh, I thought she had that ball.

That was a beautiful pancake.

From my angle it looked like it was up.

Stockton, the great opportunity.

Tough to see from that angle.

She felt like she had it, but goes the other direction, 12 sixes.

The Tigers continue to develop on the Golden arrows on the board.

All things being said, we really haven't seen enough.

I don't think even about Turner and just getting that ball back over the net on that previous point.

Long valley here.

And once again, Allison Edwards.

Leave it to Allison to put the ball away.

You know you can tell her team and her set are really rely on her to finish the play and you know you've always got two or three players that you know are going to get the job done and she's that player for Mansfield kill #8 on the morning.

And that one was one Davis has had coming.

I think for a while.

She's seen that gap in the middle of the court, hasn't been able to connect this time, does find the opening yet, but that one, the Mansfield middle blocker, just couldn't get there in time.

She had a quick swing right down the middle and Yep, found that gap and she's been looking for that this whole time.

And Stockton didn't get the dig last time.

She does get the kill this time goes up and the point for the golden Arrows trailing now by only 5.

A lot of the times that tip right over the blockers hands is very effective.

Stay in once again, Edwards.

It's almost impossible to read her, and you can tell her back.

His defense is really struggling with it.

She'll she'll swing to left back.

She'll swing to right back.

Seems like she's alternating every time, and lavaca's defense is struggling.

Edwards is now hitting 500 on the morning.

That one goes long.

Golden arrows get a break.

Then capitalize here, Stockton.

At least Stockton A58, sophomore outside and defensive specialist, averaging 8 digs per set this season.

The coach said Stockton is a very smart defensive player and.

She played prior competitive softball, so that makes her really be able to track the ball very well and she said that that bodes well for her on defense.

Well, as much as we've seen Edwards.

Power things through that time.

It was just great placement.

And that's the key.

You gotta mix it up so the defense doesn't get too comfortable digging the hard hit.

Great swing well, Vaca.

Schaefer, as coach Todaro, says she can play any position.

How she looked there on the line.

Pretty solid.

Pretty solid, I would say.

Give it to her again here and the result is the same.

Emerson Schaefer it seems like she's starting to find her rhythm.

Coming in very confident with that long approach.

The set was a bit inside, but she's so athletic she can get there.

Doctor serve.

Exactly where it needed to be.

She'll get another opportunity here, as the Golden Arrows have pulled back to within 3.

Lavacca's in it.

Gotta keep serving aggressive.

Keep Mansfield out of system.

Get a few aces here and there and they're back in this game.

Great tip again, even better.

Dig.

Or was it again?

They're so close and from my angle, it looks like it's up.

If they, I mean, they gotta keep going for it.

If they keep going for it, those balls are gonna get in the air.

And we pushed a little far, a little wide.

Lavacca trying to find that back corner.

Seemed like that set wasn't right over her shoulder where Shaffer wanted it.

Service ace as the Tigers.

Extend the lead again back out to 8 after three consecutive points.

Or, excuse me, back to six.

Tigers started that breakaway.

She's got a nice flat float surf.

Giving her back us some trouble.

Job by Mansfield to put it back into play.

But Lavacca able to take advantage and I really was surprised they pushed it back over as quickly.

But a nice job, a nice look that time.

Great job by Fogo and found the gap.

Yeah, a lot of the times when the other team is scrambling, you want to get the ball back onto their side of the court because they're not totally ready for it.

And she caught them off guard with that one.

Quick point again by the Tigers, back to A6 point advantage.

And so Mansfield into the net.

Mansfield coach said.

One of their strengths is mental toughness to gain momentum, and I think that they're showing that here today.

They're very mentally tough, even if Slovaca gets a few points.

They're consistent, they're focused and they don't get distracted.

Golden arrows.

Have to just put this one over an opportunity now.

Great job with the block though.

Going the other direction.

And.

Kaylee Ward couldn't finish this time.

Kinsley ward.

Seals the deal and the point time out.

Golden arrows.

We will take that one as well.

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Fantastic day here in the bank OZK arena.

Little chilly outside, little foggy, little rainy.

Great atmosphere in here.

And the crowd continues to grow as.

Fans here for both Mansfield and Lavacca, but other teams.

Gonna be supported as the day goes on Mansfield on top by 6.

Ward.

Places that one well.

Strong kill that time for the freshman.

It blows my mind that she is just a freshman.

I mean, she has the consistency.

And it seems like the physical maturity of a senior.

Well, how much one do you want to say about him?

Wow, I mean the opportunity.

That was a straight down kill.

I haven't seen many errors out of her and she plays so aggressively.

It's very impressive.

Her kill to air ratio.

Yeah, I'm for Lavaca.

There really wasn't much you could do, you know, just trying to get it back over the net and just goes a perfect placement for Ward, who was in the right place at the right time.

Mansfield trying to win its third consecutive state championship.

You have to think with the player like Ward, who has three more years in front of her after this one, it could be an even longer run.

Oh yeah, it seems like they were to come away today.

Totally.

They are seem to be set.

For the long run and head coach Kyle said a three-peat right now would put them on the map, especially being so small.

But I have to say I think they're already on the map.

Winning two already.

I I felt that as well.

You get 2 State Championships, 1 maybe you get 2.

You have to think people know who you are not going to be.

Not gonna be a surprise on anyone's schedule.

And that also is a big part of it too because Coach Kyle said you know they really want to schedule up and they're not just playing just a 2A schedule they're they're going to play a number of teams in in larger classes and that goes a long way to help too.

Exactly.

She said the key to their success is not playing down to the two a standard.

And she said that's why they scheduled such such hard non conference, to kind of hold them to a higher standard.

I shot by Kinsley ward to keep that one alive.

Well, teams trying to find some placement here.

Stockton before now tries to send it through.

Can't get it over the net.

Miscue there brings up set point in set #2.

It seemed like Stockton just hit that ball a little low.

She could hit it just a little higher of a reach.

It would clear the net.

Stockton pushes it a little far.

And the golden arrows.

We're looking at A2 set deficit now here to a very strong Mansfield team.

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These are a great championship keepsake set 3 underway here in this Class 2A state championship.

John McWilliams and Madison Fitzpatrick with you here this morning and the bank, OZK Arena and Lavaca getting the first point again here in set 3.

Well, coach piles of Mansfield said the key to winning this entire thing is going to be staying strong in the third set and not relaxing.

She said.

Sometimes her team, you have the lead, you get a little relaxed.

She says it's key for them here is going to be keeping the pressure on Lavaca and just seeing it through all three sets.

Opportunity here for the golden arrows.

And we have a net violation.

So Mansfield will get that one back.

Tied at one apiece here, Lavacca, led by Emerson Schaefer.

6 kills on the day, hitting just 167 right now.

Schaefer also has 10 digs.

Mainly Stockton with 10 digs as well for the Golden Arrows.

Now the Golden Arrows are playing good, they're just making a little too many errors, whereas Mansfield has been more consistent.

I think that sums it up well.

Stockton here to serve.

Through the first two sets.

The Golden Arrows have 13 kills and 12 errors.

Are hitting zero 15.

Through the first two sets.

Meanwhile, Mansfield, 31, kills 8 errors and are hitting 285 and I think that really I think that is the story of the match so far.

Yep, that sums it up perfectly.

Nice job again by Emerson Schaefer.

When Emerson Schaefer gets that long approach, high reach, and being a lefty, she can hit that angle and Mansfield's having trouble digging it and reading her shoulder.

Proctor to serve.

Haley ward.

With the kill.

She didn't even look happy with that one, but I thought that was pretty amazing.

Now we've seen him come across a little bit.

With a little more velocity than that one did.

I think that's what she was feeling.

Didn't feel like she got all of it that time, but it was enough to get the point.

Lavaca will get this one back off the service air.

Tigers led by Allison Edwards after two sets, 10 kills, just one air.

She's been hitting 474 on the morning so far, again as a team.

The Tigers 295 and Edwards with 10 kills, 5 digs.

Brooklyn Adams 13 digs, Natalie Allison 11 digs says a lot for the defense too, that the Tigers have shown here in our match today, 100%.

The defense is what sets up the setter, which sets up the offense and it seems like.

Everything from Mansfield was working right now.

I think I just jinxed them a little bit of a Shank by the Tigers.

And with machine.

Going to find the placement and give it back.

Golden Arrows stay in system.

Stockton can't find it.

And no one knew exactly where to kill us.

Just a good job by the Tigers to get that one back over the net.

Great job by Anna Davis.

Really smart placement by Anna Davis.

She sees two big blocks in front of her.

She doesn't feel like she can tool them or hit through them.

So just a little tip right over the hands of the blocker is usually open and she finds the open court there.

6th Kill of the Day 4 Davis.

Davis has 8 assists and three digs.

It's part of her stat line in this championship match.

Trying to get another kill there.

Give her another shot.

Same spot she looked up.

I I I think she was on her way down to put that one over.

Got just enough to get over the block.

Yes, she was great job, as surprising as it is sometimes a mishit.

And honestly, most of the time I miss hit is a kill because the defense has trouble reading it.

You know, it says a lot about the athletic ability for Davis as well.

Just to stay with it, even when it had a bit of a miss to it.

Still finds its way over.

Yep, coach called her the quarterback of the team.

She says she's balanced and strong and she can see the court make plays happen like she just did.

Trying to find that one again.

Two hit to double.

And.

So this one not not successful for the Golden Arrow.

It's a shame because it was a really good dig by Emerson.

And a great pass to back it up.

Lavaca Fan base seated behind where we are here on New York.

On the other side of the court, the Mansfield fans cheering.

It's starting to get a little louder.

Probably will be louder the longer the day goes.

Stadium's gonna get packed.

Stockton dig that time for the Tigers?

Not enough.

Credit Stockton and Lavacca back on top.

Yep, Natalie Allison.

Just pushing that set a little too far outside the pin.

And Madeline could not bring it back inside the court.

Job by Mansfield this time Skyland Harris, the six foot senior, getting in on the action.

Second kill of the night hitting 400.

The hit down the line has been very effective for the Tigers.

Doctor keeps that one alive.

Now an opportunity.

Nice dig by Melton, who's come back in.

Scramble play.

Long Valley, Stockton.

Gets the kill.

Nice high swing off of the hands of the blocker and.

Tools have been very effective.

For lavacca.

Stockton swinging away, and rightfully so.

Trailing two sets in this one.

Nothing to lose there and that was a pretty long volley as well.

It's one of those.

You want to get the point when you have the opportunity.

And this time the golden arrows, they say in the net.

The error is just really stacking against them.

That should have been their point.

If I can hitting 294 here in this third set.

It's been a better set for them, you see.

Reflected on the board as well.

Yep.

They can keep their errors to a minimum, stay aggressive because they have nothing to lose.

They just have to get in the right mindset.

Stockton serve.

Eventually taken in by Allison and.

Another point, Proctor.

Fantastic deep Swing by Proctor.

That set was just a little behind her, but she's still powered through.

Got the kill and she has a lengthy wingspan there as well.

I'm able to go back to find that one.

Play this will just send it over.

Once again, Allison Edwards.

That is.

Go ahead now.

Sorry.

It's her 11th kill of the day.

Wow.

I mean, that's just such a sharp angle for her to hit.

She comes in powerful.

She gets that nice snap on the ball.

It's a hard ball to dig.

It works, 11 kills, 5 digs.

Teammate there.

Natalie Allison has 11 digs.

And she is flirting with a triple double right now.

Give it to her.

Fantastic swing, long approach, got a lot of power behind the ball.

I mean, Lavaca's defense is doing well.

They're making plays.

They're making digs.

But in these long rallies, man, Mansfield just has the depth to put that ball away.

Natalie Allison, 10 kills, 11 digs, 18 assists.

The service for the Tigers to go with it in Mansfield now back on top midway through this third set.

Can you think of a better time or place to get a triple double in the state championship match?

That's what I was about to say.

She's peaking at the right time.

You couldn't ask for a better game.

Ward strong.

Nice job that time by Stockton to keep it alive.

And the Golden arrows will get the point.

Ultimately, fantastic scramble play by pretty much every player.

On the Vaca and then Mansfield, it's their turn to make the air.

Stockton pretty much kept that alive with her head, but did a good job.

Right place, right time.

They do get the point strong again, this time for Ward, and this time it goes on through.

She can hit from the middle, she could hit the slide and she just hit the outside.

So athletic.

And that athleticism is just gonna grow the older she gets.

Schaefer very strong.

And golden arrows would go ahead and get the point over the line.

Similation.

Sorry, no, no, no, you're good.

She's got a ton of power, her coach said.

She can pretty much play any position on the front row.

She's tall and she has a good reach.

She's very strong and she's got a passing, so she's definitely a leader for the Slovakia team.

Keep the back of 24 and 5 coming in.

But three of those losses to the same team?

That's this Tigers team that they're matched up against right now.

Great placement again by Schaefer.

We'll get the point this time.

She'll get an upper opportunity.

The lefty.

That one great dig by the Tigers?

How about Shafer again?

While she is just placing this all over the court right now and ultimately gets the point for Lavaca?

She seems to be a physical and a vocal leader.

Every time she gets a point, she's looking at her teammates, she's yelling, she's trying to fire them up and.

It's working.

The score is tied.

Nice dig from Allison.

Another opportunity now here for Lovaca.

It's gonna be a golden arrow point that time.

I mean, not the way that they drew it up.

But.

They'll take it.

Yep, Mansfield making a lot more errors in this third set, you know, that's where their coach said.

The third set, we tend to get a little relaxed.

We gotta keep the foot on the.

The gas and.

Power through.

Strong kill that time.

That was Skylan Harris.

She's hitting 429.

It's really good hitting percentage from her.

Yeah, her 4th kill of the afternoon.

As we are now into the afternoon, early morning starts.

This one lines up over here.

We got a handle on that one too.

Mansfield retaking the lead.

A couple of quick points for the Tigers now, just as you mentioned, they might have let off the gas just a little bit trying to put that foot back on.

Nice job at the line.

And to finish.

Allison Edwards gets credit for the block assists.

She'll also get credit for the kill.

She loves that spot.

That right back.

If the defender can just get there and put out her platform, she can get that ball up.

Nice place there on the frontline too, when Kaylee ward is out to be able to have Harris in there along with Edwards on that Frontline, Harris with the attack.

In Stockton.

Was too far forward for her to really get the momentum she wanted that time taps it over now.

Davis goes deep.

And once again, Allison Edwards.

She'll hit right back, and then the next place she'll hit left back.

Golden Arrow is having a hard time getting their platform underneath the ball.

Now she's getting a lot of help from her friend and Natalie Allison as well.

That is a cyst #22 and a number of them going to Edwards.

Golden arrows get the point.

Have to go to that.

A little further to make that point for Natalie Allison.

The senior.

This is this is her last match.

Ohh yeah.

So there has to be a lot of emotions.

There is.

Leave it all out there on the court right now and she's done her part pretty much in every facet of the game.

Give her credit for another assist.

Yep, obviously you want your last game to get that state title, but if you can't get it, you want to play your hardest and you wanna be proud of the way that you went out.

I know man, I'm here and set #3.

You can feel the shift, and I believe Coach Todaro feels the shift as well.

Time out on the court as we are in set #3 of this Class 2A state championship.

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The tigers.

Away from another championship trying to do it 3 consecutive years.

But I could trying to stay alive in this one and.

To see what happens from that point.

Madeline Jones to serve now for Mansfield?

Madeline Jones just got the ace and what was so good about that service?

It was flat, it floated and then it had that drop off at the end.

Senior Michaela Worsham checking in now for the golden hairs.

That one drifts and it will be the Tigers point.

The Tigers inching closer to those 25 points.

Natalie Allison once again just continuing to add to her stat line on the day and the triple double looking even that much more impressive with another kill.

That's #11 today as Natalie Allison is hitting close to 300.

Yep, it seems like everything is working for Mansfield right now.

They're going on a bit of a run, the ends in reach.

Another opportunity now.

And the arrows.

The Golden Arrows coming off that tough on server sieve couldn't put it back in place.

The Tigers get the opportunity and we were looking at match point right now.

State championship match point and Madeline Jones, the senior setter to serve.

Jones finds Alison.

And the tigers?

In three sets, 123 win, championship #3, the three peat.

For Mansfield.

It's hard to win one state championship.

It's hard to win two.

And they did it for a third time.

Mansfield fans on their feet.

Fantastic play.

Consistent.

By every single player on that Mansfield team winning 2516 in the third set, coach Kaylee Pyles team moving to 27 and three on the day in Madison, I would ask you this, would you say there on the map yet?

I think they were on the map after their first state championship, but you know, that just shows the level of expectation that the coach has.

She's she wasn't satisfied with one or two.

She wanted three and they got it.

Tiger celebrating here in Bank OCK Arena in Hot Springs, says the Class 2A championship goes to the man's field.

Tigers, we're going to take a break.

We'll be back to visit with some folks here from that championship squad.

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The Mansfield tigers.

In three sets.

Celebrating.

The trophy that they have earned.

On this Saturday, championship Saturday underway.

With a program that is setting the pace here, putting themselves on the map and doing it.

In three-peat fashion.

251625152516 we're about to get to visit with the Most Valuable Player here.

From this class to a state championship match.

Allison Edwards has been named the Most Valuable Player here.

And doing so on the strength of 17 kills, 8 digs on the day.

Had an assist as well.

When did that happen?

I thought she was just sending everything across.

I didn't know she took the time to get an assist as well.

You too.

It's just so blown away by her gameplay.

I didn't even catch the assessed but hit 424 on hitting percentage.

That's fantastic.

Hi Allison, congratulations you so much.

Another state championship.

I know that they're all valuable.

They're all a big deal.

But talk about this one here.

2022, How big was it to to win this one and and come away as a as part of A3 peat?

Yeah, this is huge.

This is huge for our girls.

We've been working for this for so long and it's just a really good feeling.

And low back is like our hometown rivals.

We want to be there all the time and we got them for state and we knew what we had and we just came out and looking to win.

Talk to me.

What was so special about this team?

I mean, obviously you guys made history.

Three people.

But what was so special?

The chemistry.

We have such good chemistry.

They're all my best friends.

And yeah, congratulations.

You are a little emotional now.

Yeah, well, rightfully so.

When you win a championship with your best friends.

I I think so.

Congratulations to you all to the team, and just a fantastic effort today.

Most Valuable Player, 17 kills.

My goodness.

Every time you put that ball across there, I mean, it looked like it was going to reach escape velocity.

Well, thank you a big day.

Congratulations once again.

Thanks.

Go celebrate with your team.

Allison Edwards, just another big day overall for for her and for the team as a whole.

I know we're gonna get to visit with the coach piles now.

They'll come around here and we'll set you up.

Go come in just a little bit closer here.

We want to make sure that that you're there now, coach.

And another state championship you said, and we mentioned it a couple of times, you said that the three peat might get you on the map.

We think you were on the map already.

However, 3 peat does that, is that correct?

Yes, it does.

Talk about the win today, this one in particular.

I mean, we expected to be here this year and a 3 peat was just icing on the cake.

I knew that they were going to come out ready to go.

That's something that I've always tried all season long about us being mentally tough and in this atmosphere we've been here.

So we have experience, but I knew that it would be a little bit more.

They came out a little bit with a little bit of tension, a little bit stress, but then they just put it down right after a couple of points after the first set and then I knew we were going to go with it.

Your entire team played so consistently.

What areas were you most proud of them?

Defensively, we were on our toes.

We were constantly moving to get the ball.

I had an injury short in the first set.

I asked a couple of the girls and the girl that I came that came in, she stepped up really quickly.

We adjusted there on the on the net.

Offensively, we put the ball down every single time.

Coach, you're seniors.

I know that you're excited for them.

You mentioned that one of them had a fantastic way.

How about Natalie Allison going out with the triple double?

Yes.

Ohh, my gosh.

Natalie Allison, MVP last year, captain of the team every year she's been consistently everywhere.

She said her and outside heater replaced it on the back row.

I mean, she's everywhere.

Outstanding player all the way around.

All right.

Well, Coach, congratulations on the win.

A fantastic victory today, and I know you all have some celebrating to do.

You've set the pace here for our championship Saturday.

Thank you so much.

Fantastic afternoon as we take a final looks here at at the championship Class 2A championship here and it looks fairly even there in the way that they've attacked the ball as slovaca had opportunities just not successful in in all of them.

Mansfield able to complete things a little bit better hitting three O 5 on the afternoon Mansfield was six aces and we talked about the the defense too.

I mean that you see both sides doing pretty well but the tigers with 6067 digs yeah and that's one of the things that coach.

She was so proud of her team.

They were getting to every single ball.

I mean the effort was there, back row, front row, all around and it paid off.

Probably the biggest factor in all of all in it is the fact that the the Tigers more than doubled the golden arrows and kills 48 to 23 just a big afternoon and took care of business when they needed to do that.

So now Class 2A State championship then goes to the Mansfield Tigers.

But that's not all here from the bank, OZK arena, we have more championship matches.

On the way, it's championship Saturday here from Hot Springs and Class 3A Championship is on the way.

Hackett and Baptist Prep coming up and it is scheduled to start at 1:00 PM, so that's not that far away.

I'm Joey McWilliams for Madison Fitzpatrick.

Want to remind you you're watching the Centennial Bank State Volleyball Championship presented by Everett Buick, GMC on Arkansas PBS sports.

Congratulations once again to the Mansfield Tigers for the state championship.