My you are looking at the historic Arlington Hotel right here in downtown Hot Springs, the place to be today.

It is state championship Saturday, Centennial Bank State Volleyball Championship presented by every Buick GMC on Arkansas, PBS Sports as the two teams that are competing for the Class three AA state championship are on the court right now.

I'm Joey McWilliams, along with Madison Fitzpatrick and it is a fantastic day for volleyball.

These two teams have been on a collision course since last year's state semifinals and they are competing for the finals today.

Oh, yeah, both teams fired up.

I mean, right in front of us, Baptist Prep is doing a little cheer.

The the stands are filling up.

We're really excited.

You know, Hackett has the experience of being in state finals, and with that experience comes comfortability playing in front of a big crowd.

And if you're comfortable, you can be more aggressive and you can take more risk.

So there's give me high level volleyball today because both teams are very experienced and it is underway right now.

The Class three state volleyball championship and the Baptist Prep Eagles get the first point on the board.

The entire team celebrates the fan base behind us.

Excited as well.

That is Prep 35 and six coming into today's championship match.

Hackett, 28 and one on the year we mentioned the last time these two teams met was last year.

They have not faced each other this year and it was in the semifinals.

Hackett came away with the victory.

Their ultimately fell to Paris in the championship match last year.

This year, a little bit different story.

Hackett, by the way, did get some degree of vengeance on Paris, dispatching them a little bit earlier in the playoffs.

Baptist Prep with two points to get things going in the early, early stages of this match.

And Hackett gets his its first point on the board and Madison and we talk about these two teams in particular let's let's look at Hackett right now it's a team with experience and their coach, coach Bridget Freeman, says that experience gives them confidence.

Oh yeah, exactly.

She says in big scenarios like this, they're very comfortable.

She looks to Mackenzie Freeman, their outside hitter, six one, just a sophomore.

She says they look to them to hit the ball straight down pretty much every time, and they rely on that authority.

And then she also says they rely on Mackenzie Mendenhall, outside hitter senior 511.

She says she's more placement and smarts, but players with that experience, they kind of lean on, on their team pack.

It gets the point right there.

But with three points on the board already for the Eagles, we've seen some offensive higher firepower.

And we know this is a team that's going to rely on that yet Baptist prep their stats with kills are very impressive.

We have Abby Renshaw number 12 at 353 kills on the season.

Alison Jackson number 15 374 kills.

Paige Webb 148 kills and Maddie Steffensen 236 kills.

So Baptist Prep obviously really big offensive like four to our score here in the bank Ozark Arena right here in downtown Hot Springs and the Eagles.

And you might be able to hear their fan base behind us as well.

They came out and not in short supply as well.

Faith Upshaw just lining up right in front of that middle hitter, pressing her hands over the net and will get the block to the Hornets hanging around as experience.

We talked about giving them confidence.

Another thing that that the Hornets have so a lot of camaraderie as well.

Yep coach said that's their strength.

It's the camaraderie and the chemistry, she said that makes them really strong.

That does.

Krupp fired up They are Eddie Fielder the center just pushing that went over great placement.

She is fired up about that it seems like right off of the gate Baptist Prep with the momentum but it's a long game.

She's listed as five eight.

I don't know a lot of players for Baptist Prep right in that 575859 range no players in the six foot range on their team but really big offensively one player by mistake.

But these girls can jump five foot or not, they can jump.

And there's Jackson trying to go up for that block.

She's a long six footer.

Hornets get the point again.

Baptist Prep hitting 286 in the early going and Hackett three kills two errors now trailing by just two point.

We saw Baptist Prep take care of things, dispatching things quickly, getting their early points.

That was a longer volley that time.

The point goes a little bit longer.

The Eagles still come away with the point.

The crowd behind us obviously thrilled about that.

But it's interesting to see both of those ways work.

Is it going to be just a strong offense but you have to score early or can you compete through a long point and still come away and get it?

Exactly.

That's what makes a really good team.

And we just saw right there Faith Upshaw just on the slide, the ball is a little bit too outside and she still drove through.

And that does speak to the athleticism of the offense and Baptist Prep long set the defenses there for Hackett Fantastic job Aubrey Ruffles and a lot of Rothwell in on the block and Baptist Prep has to be ready to cover the ball because Hackett's a very good blocking team.

One there for the block as well.

That one goes out.

However, the Eagles get the point.

Faith Upshaw on the slide has been really effective so far.

Just tooling the hands of Hackett, who trying to find the placement can't do it.

Nice dig.

Another opportunity for the Eagles on the block but in the net that time and so the Hornets get the point.

Yep that's the key also with these long rallies, you can get a little tired, you can get a little sloppy, but you have to stay disciplined and eliminate those errors strong.

Absolutely.

Abby Renshaw with another kill her third of the afternoon.

That was an incredible swing and a really good set.

That's a testament to their setter right there.

She led the hitter very well.

Abby had time to take that long approach and have a lot of power behind her head on.

And we are seeing.

You're right.

Exactly right.

Some great sets from Baptist Prep.

Oh, nice dig.

They're going to keep this point alive.

This goes on a little bit longer than what the Eagles could control.

Michael Allen Freeman, a freshman outside coming in.

Oh, what a rally.

I mean, really good plays by both teams and I just want to shout out Alison Jackson for that pancake.

That's a very hard skill to master.

And as a high schooler, that's very impressive.

Michael and Freeman, along with McKenzie, a freshman and a sophomore on this team for coach Bridget Freeman, it's a family affair.

The Eagles are getting opportunity after opportunity.

And I'll tell you what, if they can stay in system, this is going to be a big afternoon for Baptist Prep.

Exactly.

And they've been in so far and the ball's been in front of them.

Really good passes, really good sets.

The momentum is in their favor and so is the crowd behind us.

Well, you add the strong play system.

Throw a service ace in there and well, somebody throw another volleyball onto the court and had to slow down play right there.

I don't know if that's going to take away any of the momentum from the Eagles right now.

Abby Renshaw to serve 511 junior outside and defense the order of the day now page Webb Webb listed at 59a junior middle That's what's so good about an aggressive serve if you can get the other team in chaos, get them to have a bad pass.

You've got chances to score.

Turnabout is fair play.

How about that?

Oh, just inside the backline.

Hornets get the point.

That's a big point for Hackett right now.

Momentum clearly in the favor of the Eagles.

Yep.

Hackett needed that point.

Baptiste making some insane plays, just hitting 333 right now.

Right now.

So Jim from Webb Hornets keep it alive.

Webb there on defense it goes long.

So the Hornets are going to come away with a point there.

But I think you have to mention what Baptist Prep has been doing on the line right now on that front line.

Oh, yeah.

I mean, it's every single Pitt.

Oh, here comes ball shank.

But every single hit has been powerful, really well placed.

And really the center is doing a great job leading her hitters and mixing the ball around, you know, giving the other team some different looks.

I think it is worth pointing out.

Abby Fielder, number eight, and Paige Webb, number 23 on that front line together for Baptist Prep fielder is listed at five eight.

Webb is listed at five nine.

One of those numbers is wrong.

That's all I'm going to say.

One of those numbers is wrong.

Won't say which one there is definitely not.

It takes a little more than an inch disparity.

There.

Yeah, that one goes long and the Eagles stop a mini run now from the Hornets, Webb has taken a seat.

Nice job, Pressley.

Morris keeping things alive and Freeman tries to go strong.

The defense is there once again, Alison Jackson getting up high over the net, pressing her hands over the ball.

I mean, over the net.

Wow.

Fantastic.

BLOCK Time out on the court as we keep it right here.

And this gives us an opportunity then to talk about what Baptist Prep is doing.

Of course, the Eagles 35 and six on the season coming into this class three state championship match, Madison.

And I know we were looking at numbers, looking at this team, thinking about what they bring to the table.

The offense has been on display, but in these last few points, what they've done, they're at the net.

And that front line play, I think is has just been huge.

It's part of the reason they're up four right now.

Yep.

You can definitely see where their strengths lie.

I mean, with hitting, we've got players over 303, 53, three, 74 to 36.

I mean, they have a ton of kills and now it's obvious why their center is so talented.

She leads them very well and the hitters have a lot of range, not just power, but a lot of range.

You know, you can experience the action of the state championships all over again next week as well.

Watch all the championship games at YouTube.com slash Arkansas PBS.

The Eagles going to see Pressley Morris five three senior liberal serve with a four point advantage here in this first set.

Pressley Moore has been playing very, very well, been a major reason why the Baptist Prep is always in system.

Her defense is there, but that one goes long in McKenzie Freeman's six one sophomore with the kill.

You know, McKenzie Freeman was the one that the coach said she puts the ball straight down with authority.

And I think that we're going to see her start to warm up and start to heat up as we go on later in the match.

Great dig by the Hornets have won miss played off of best wrist tianna best with a team best three kills at this point in the first set but that one went awry.

1117, 17, 13.

Excuse me.

Eagles on top taking care of business there on the front line for Hackett to best correct that previous play.

It's a fantastic swing she has a lot of snap on the ball that gets the ball moving in a very downward downward trajectory.

That's a hard word to say of a really good swing by her.

Oh, well, the fan base is excited behind us, the players excited on the court.

I don't know if there's anyone more excited than head coach Krista Spoon.

It's like she got the jump onto the court running back and forth with her team.

You got to love it.

She's committed.

She has celebrated every point, enthusiastic fashion.

And right now there are 19 on the board.

A big opportunity now for Baptist Prep.

Once again, staying in and pushing that one over was Fielder.

Ultimately, it works out to the advantage of the Eagles.

Nice placement and the Hornets didn't respond as well.

No one fielder will record a kill right there.

Very smart.

She can feel the other teams and a little bit of chaos.

She sees the open court.

She sends the ball straight there and they take a 20 to 14 lead another time out on the court.

And you are watching Centennial Bank state volleyball championships presented by Everett at GMC on Arkansas.

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There she is, Coach Krista Spooner, head coach was seeing her team lead by six here and the team in the crowd cheering on the serve.

That one goes wide.

Eagles up by a touchdown and you see a lot of the times when one team gets momentum, the other team kind of coils in.

They start making more errors because they're not being as aggressive.

You give that point back six point advantage again.

But the Eagles are creeping very close here to taking set one great hustle on the part of the Eagles.

And Alison Jackson came in.

She said, I'm so sorry.

I fully expected her to jump over both of us.

I was going to duck.

I respect the pursuit of the wall now.

She didn't need to be sorry.

That's a heads up play.

It's what state championships all about, Zach of it all.

Leave it on the court, maybe in the media table in Charlotte with another strong hit Eric net violation Eagles point again Abby Coleman a57 senior to serve now for Baptist Prep just there is another error by Hackett playing a little tentative now and that's costing them and you don't want to push anything past you want to give it all through but to the hornets and I think with that that hit kind of sums it up that won by Freeman just get through this set exactly and you know you want to get through the set but then you also you need to gain momentum.

So I really would have loved to see her jump and hit that ball rather than make a standing hit.

Eagles get the points and take the first set Baptist Prep on top one nothing in this class three state championship.

Back to the second set in the moment you're watching the Centennial Bank State Volleyball Championships presented by Everett Buick, GMC on Arkansas, PBS Sports Centennial Bank is committed to you.

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The Baptist Prep Eagles lineup looks like this.

And actually as a looking at the Hackett starting line up there, head coach Bridget Freeman McKenzie Mendenhall McKenzie Freeman alone Rothwell as well as Prairie Vaughn Tianna Best Kylie Hill, Aubrey Ruggles, Michael and Freeman Freshman coming in Lindley, Oxford Hackett trailing one set to nothing right now as the Eagles getting some good performance so far from Abby Renshaw wearing number 12 there in the blue and red Renshaw four kills hitting for 29.

She had a service ace as well, yet Renshaw playing really strong and honestly, pretty much every single offensive player on the Baptist Prep team playing very strong.

Coach Krista Spoon for the Baptist Prep Eagles again, if she has any energy left over when this match is over with, win or lose, I'm going to be surprised because she's just like one of the players.

She's given it all out here for her team.

Yeah, I feel like she drank about three energy drinks before this.

I would to her teams at state it's exciting it is what it's all about state championship Saturday here bank okay arena says match number two of five today for a five and six AA on the way here on Arkansas PBS Sports please stick around set to just about get underway and the Eagles will serve first during the honors is Addie Fielder the five eight sophomore?

I think she's about five six.

Oh, yeah.

But it doesn't matter because she's a really good shot.

She has taken care of business today.

Looking at her numbers, too, she has nine assists through the first set, couple of kills.

Whitmire My hornets attack the lady Nice dig pretty good.

The Eagles can't find system there and the Hornets will ultimately get the point tied this one up at one apiece.

The Hornets led by Tiana best in set number one with four kills.

Michael and Freeman had three.

McKenzie Freeman with two as well, but it was a whole lot of Baptist Prep Eagles.

Abby Renshaw All those four kills we talked about that.

Eddie Fielder with nine assists and seven digs from Pressley, Morris Yeah, I think Hackett's going to start to look to both of them.

McKenzie's as the coach said, she said they rely on them in big pressure situations.

So I wouldn't be surprised if they start to get fed the ball a lot.

Mendenhall, a senior.

Freeman, a sophomore.

Nice set, an even better kill from Renshaw and that one off the blocks and into about the third row Baptist Prep is on a mission here.

The Hackett Hornets, the block is there, but they just didn't quite get their hands pressed over enough allowing for a tool to take place.

Yeah.

Nice dig fielder set from the ten foot line.

It's going to come back.

Another one coming back defense there for the Hornets field tries to place it got out this time the set and the kill coming in strong for the Eagles is Maddie Stephenson and they're cheering her name behind us.

And that was a fantastic swing right down the line.

Hackett Defense did not know where that was going.

Renshaw to serve Stephenson, another senior playing in her final match today goes long.

We just get another point up for two.

Now some of these athletes are going to be playing at the next level and in all of our matches today.

So we'll say final match, final high school match.

You know, there's something to being playing to playing on on championship Saturday final match is going to be on championship Saturday then that's a good way to go out.

Exactly.

You can leave your high school volleyball career very proud.

Win or lose, making it to state is such a feat.

Strong attack from Jackson keeps it alive as well.

Can't continue the point.

The Hornets get that one but lots of credit going to Allison Jackson, the six one senior giving it all that fantastic swing and and really Baptist prep just the communication was not there on that play service error point goes back the Eagles serving now for Baptist press prep Pressley Morris there's the opportunity Jackson taps it over Hornets with a shot Nice dig by Morris and getting that one passed the defense just through the net Maddy Stephenson senior showing up again I'm very impressed by Baptiste Prep's offense.

You see, she's not even tied to the net and she's still swinging with a ton of power and a ton of aggression.

Great placement.

Good job for Hackett.

Perry Vaughn getting that over the center, just taking it.

Taking care of business on her own, by the way, Madison, talk about some centers, too.

I mean, what Vaughn did there was was obviously key.

But what we're seeing from Baptist press prep as well, we're seeing some cross court sets.

I mean, they're taking opportunities and really putting it out there for both sides of the court outside opposite side to get involved.

Oh, yeah.

Out of system.

I mean, kind of just jinxed it.

But the play before that she can has a ton of power, keeps the ball in front of her, sets the outside from a very far way away.

And it's it's very impressive.

That's really high level setting by her.

It's it's cross court just begins to describe some of these sets six.

All right now hornets get another point Jackson has that sent back and Hackett with another point Hackett has a lot of blocks so far this game and maybe they've been told a few times, but they're getting up there pressing their hands over the net and it's going to start paying off.

They just have to stay disciplined.

Strong attack stays alive.

Hornets keep it alive again.

Not this time.

Hackett No stranger to the finals we've talked about that, came up short to Paris last year.

However, won in the state championship in 2019 and 2020.

Try to make it three in four years.

But Baptist Prep is not making that an easy opportunity today.

No, it seems like before the game they made a collective decision to come out and be as aggressive as possible and it is really paying off early on.

Kylie Hill, a58 senior serving for Hackett on the Into the Net Hornets will get another point packet trailing one set to nothing here in this class three state championship.

I'll tell you what Baptist Prep Services is really fantastic.

They're giving their center a perfect pass every single time.

Definitely are.

And Fielder takes advantage of that.

And Fielder has 13 assists so far today.

She also has three kills that that's that's a sign of a good team when you're center is also an offensive tool that can score points she's not there just to set up everybody else she's going to score points on her own and keep the other team guessing what she's going to do.

Michael and Freeman on the line.

Yeah.

Not able to stop that one.

Baptist Prep has been very successful.

When Faith Upshaw runs the slide the blocks not getting there in time they're not pressing and she's gotten a tool every single time she's ran behind.

And Upshaw, by the way, four kills in six attacks, no errors, another one into the net for the Eagles and the Hornets, you think?

Put that on the wrong side of the scoreboard.

There believe it should be 11 nine.

I think you're right.

They'll get that adjusted here in just a moment here in house.

In the meantime for Hackett, it'll be Lilli Oxford, five four sophomore liberal Lilli Oxford with only one dig so far.

Well, I think that's really a testament to how strong the Eagles have been on offense.

Exactly.

They're finding that open court not even giving Hackett an opportunity to make the dig and as if on cue, you know, it's very impressive.

Abby Renshaw made an error right before this play comes back, swings just as aggressively.

And that's what makes a good player is that you're not afraid to make mistakes and you keep going at it and now you don't.

So you can't remember everything.

But there are some things you have to put in short term memory loss and let it go.

Exactly.

Short term memory is key.

And I think Abby has short term memory.

Two kills back to back, one swing, one tip, really using all of her wheelhouse here to score those 11 nine just a moment ago and then Freeman up her game.

Renshaw Excuse me, after game Jackson doesn't get it over from the line and so Hackett will get another opportunity here.

Up to serve for the Hornets is Prairie Vaughn Junior Center back three shot just couldn't get over and time for that said it was high enough placed well but she was a little far back so Hackett with an opportunity to set and the placement and that was put exactly where it needed to be a lot of Rothwell getting kill really smart play by her she saw that middle court very open tips it right there feel like the liberal could have laid out but there's just some communication errors and that's a hard spot today that one pushed over quickly.

Paige Webb And that's a power tip if I've ever seen.

One waits behind the ball, keeps it in front of her powers through that tipped dress, probably the tallest front line of the day.

Now for a Baptist prep, that's when you have Webb and Jackson both up there.

Yep.

With this tall line.

Let's see if they can get some blocks.

They are forcing Hackett to make some errors, though.

Renshaw with another ace Renshaw is having herself a game seven kills, hitting 385 and another ace to those on the afternoon.

This one is playable and Renshaw back great dig Jackson Hornets put it into place Another great dig laying out that time was Vaughn Eagles and Paige Webb still in the lead I'm really impressed by Baptiste prep setter leads her she waits behind the ball swings through and even though it was tight, she still comes in aggressive because she knows she can pull off the hands of Hackett.

Time out on the court.

Coach Spooner, her team is up by two.

We'll take a break.

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See her greatness, said number one, went the way of the Eagles set.

Number two, at least favoring the Eagles here.

The bank.

Okay, arena and Coach Freeman looking for the right answers here.

She talked about the fact that her girls played well.

But even through the playoffs, there have been a couple of matches in which she's had to switch up the lineups a little bit.

And so you take that time out, make the adjustments that are necessary.

We'll see how they come out.

Yep.

It's all about grit right now.

Defense Webb is there.

Jackson, another kill.

Jackson with a ton of power.

She gets a lot of space from the ball.

Takes that long approach.

It's very strong.

Having a lot of success from the outside.

That one goes a little bit too far.

Renshaw off the air.

But the Eagles got some points that little mini run while Renshaw was serving back on top little cushion as the Hornets now trying to make something happen.

McKenzie Mendenhall, the senior to serve and take advantage of it.

I think that most about this crowd skills I mean if they're not straight down, then it's cooling off the hands of Hackett.

So Hackett really needs to stay disciplined in their blocking lineup correctly in press over the net.

Pressley Morris with 13 digs on the afternoon so far.

Nice placement.

McKenzie Freeman, the sophomore, puts one back in the Hackett column.

McKenzie Freeman for fourth kill of ten attempts from the line.

And Upshaw is just going to put that back over opportunity now for the Hornets defense is there for Baptiste Prep Upshaw had a strong attack violation at the line and the Eagles get the point Upshaw very consistent player no errors hit the ball powerfully got got Hackett in a bit of trouble and the center couldn't quite get there to double double the ball too strong service here Hornets back to within two set number two with the first one going to the Eagles Hornets trying to counter here Abby Renshaw hitting 385 Faith Upshaw we just mentioned hitting 667 for the match.

Yeah, that's a fantastic statistic.

You know, Hackett graduated four seniors last year, so the coach said they're going to have to step up.

Some people have to step up and fill those leadership roles.

And you can kind of tell that there's they're a bit younger this year.

Michael and Freeman hits that one into the net.

She's a freshman.

Part of that young squad brings a lot to the court for Hackett Eagles hit that too strong pack it just hanging around staying within a two point gap running out of real estate, though, they're going to make a move.

We're going to have to do something pretty quickly as the second set is starting to wind down right first, placement, good job.

Another great set by fielder and another good kill for Renshaw.

Fantastic placement again by Renshaw right there.

No one can even touch it.

That's her eighth kill you watch that defense slide over there and there's nowhere for them to go.

No time to get back.

And Renshaw is having a fantastic afternoon now hitting for 29.

And just when you start talking about Baptist press offense, you have to talk about the defense as well.

They're blockers are all over.

It seems like every single ball that could come over there, they're they're up in the air and they're posing quite a threat to the Hackett offense hit wide point to the Eagles timeout Hornets set to starting to get away from Hackett that's Freeman calls a time out We'll take one as well You're watching the Centennial Bank State Volleyball Championships presented by Everett Buick GMC on Arkansas.

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With you in mind, Centennial Bank member FDIC coach Freeman.

We talked about her making some adjustments after the last time out.

See if any of those come into play here.

Sometimes the time out, just to give your team an opportunity to calm down just a little bit, recollect their thoughts.

As Abby Coleman will be serving for Baptist Prep and the Eagles three points away from taking set two.

Nice job that time by Mendenhall the senior.

That's how you come out of a timeout.

Exactly.

That's why you call the timeout.

You want to make the other team think, you want to slow down their momentum and then you want to regroup and put yourself in a better position than you were before.

Strong hit a little bit too strong for Renshaw back to back points for the Hornets.

Yep.

That that time out boding well for them for sure.

Schor keeps it alive a chance now for Hackett and misplayed at the net.

Rothwell just couldn't get the handle on that one and that's a really a big missed opportunity for Hackett.

You have a good serve, you get the other team out of system and then you get a free ball and you're hoping that you can convert.

And just the Hackett middle she was just too far behind the ball great placement good job by the Hornets staying alive found the open spot the back right you know a lot of the times you see a team break away and then you see a team kind of, you know, shy away and let the other team break away.

But I'm very impressed with Hackett.

They feel they've stayed within three or four points of Baptist Prep this entire time.

Tipped over opportunity.

Now goes long but it was touched so point pack it.

There was almost a scandal.

I don't think the line judge saw the touch right away, but there was definitely a touch on that ball.

I don't I don't believe that the Eagles have too much to be frustrated about right then.

No, exactly.

It was pretty obviously a touch and Hackett really needed that point to stay in this game, but to still have an opportunity.

We see it here.

Yep.

The blocker just up a little too late.

It goes right off her fingertips.

Question here is, can the Hornets pull any of the momentum back?

Looks like the answer might be no.

Yeah.

Hackett BLOCK Not really able to get in there and completely close it and Abby just hit in the seam right there set point now for Abby Renshaw to serve Renshaw has to service prior to this this one playable and Morris along set Jackson tips back the other way now fielder with the opportunity for Jackson and the Hornets stay alive here in set number two I'll tell you what I'm very impressed by the way that Baptist Prep feeds all of their hitters.

It doesn't matter how far away they are, they're going to send that ball and try and get Hackett kind of off balance.

And it's hard for Hackett's block to read that.

Here's Fielder again.

Great dig.

Hornets will keep it alive.

Right fielder takes care of business himself.

Set number two goes to Baptist prep fielder So impressive she can read the court so well it seems like she she knew that there was a hole right there and so deceptive doesn't even look like she's going to do it.

And then she just dumps the ball right over.

That's her fourth kill of the afternoon and none bigger Baptist prep up two sets to none in this class three, a state championship match.

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Two teams with a goal today in this match, only one is going to come out on top.

And right now, the Baptist Prep Eagles having their way in this championship match up two sets to none over the team that defeated them in the state semifinals last year Baptist Prep trying to get their revenge and all of their hitters are playing so aggressively.

It's really impressive to watch.

Abby Field with sophomore is having a great afternoon, but we talked about her kill to close out set number two.

I was just about to mention what she's done setting her team 21 assists on the afternoon to go with four kills and five digs.

Great day for Fielder, the sophomore really putting up numbers and and I serve as well that's a hard area of the court to defend right there very back deep corner really good placement by Hackett back to serve now for Hackett is Mackenzie Mendenhall and a service error to give things back to the Eagles looking at numbers through the first couple of sets Abby Renshaw hitting 375, she has nine kills on the day fielder.

We mentioned with four that is second on her team along with Faith Upshaw, Maddie Stephenson defense there just can't talk about offensive numbers very long for this Eagles team before they show you they can play at the net as well.

Exactly.

Did the middle get in?

Oh, close that block.

And she's so tall, has such a high reach.

It's really hard to get the ball past her.

If you're Hackett, Paige Webb and I will make this point just one more time.

Not to belabor this at all, but just to make the point listed at five nine.

She is not.

No, she is strong and just a great wingspan, but strong at the net and very coordinated to for the Hornets after two sets, four players with four kills apiece and Tiana Best, Michael Freeman, Mackenzie Freeman and Mackenzie Mendenhall.

It just hasn't been enough put together in a set to come away on top.

One goes long.

Yep.

The Hornets definitely looking to shift the momentum, get the energy back on their side and they're going to need a few players to step up if they're going to do that.

Another assist at the net and another kill for the Eagles.

Maddie Stevenson Having a very good game, five kills heading to five hitting percentage.

She's very athletic.

You can tell Jackson at the net drops that down and the Hornets looking around a little bit I think it will concern who was to get there, who was supposed to be over.

I also might be asking about a net violation as well.

That's what I think.

I think they think she was in the net or maybe over, but I don't think the refs saw it yet.

Make it a point of clarification, but they're not going to get the point.

It's going to stay with the Eagles.

Morris Back to serve.

Oh firstly Morris has had a good afternoon 14 digs a couple of assists and the Hornets now bill to try to just put that one back in play you get that close to the net and when you start directing the ball back the other direction, you know, things aren't always necessarily right.

Exactly.

If as a hitter, if you see your center crashing towards the net, being a little tight, you kind of want to take a step back that way, you know, just in case it pulls off the net, you're still going to be behind the ball and be able to make an attack on it.

Great set and a nice point on the way.

Freeman With a second opportunity, that one is good.

McKenzie Freeman with the kill Freeman and a lot of her teammates have been very successful.

Hitting that back corner seems to be an open spot, a weak spot in the Baptist Prep Defense.

JACKSON Great take, though, by Hill.

Freeman Again Point Hornets again.

The Hornets gaining some momentum, getting some kills.

This is what they were looking to do and they're going to need to continue this.

They've got a76 lead, but this time Eagles will get this one back.

One thing that's very impressive to me about Allison Jackson is the power and the aggression she brings to every single attack.

She may make an error, but she's going to bounce back from it and still come out as aggressive.

And McKenzie Freeman taking shot after shot, try to get her team back into it.

But the Eagles defense is their feeder.

Well, she's hot kill after kill wind up and the swing Aubrey Ruggles the junior middle credit at the point that time that will be Aubrey Ruggles first kill of the night or the day she.

It's going to be a long day here.

It's all right.

Yeah.

Lots of championship matches going on.

More on the way.

Class for a state championship match coming up next, scheduled for 3:00.

We'll see how all this works out, though.

Eagles up two sets to none and fielder with a long set.

And that time Renshaw is not able to get over to it.

The Hornets get the point and not this one up again very impressive overhand dig from Alison Jackson about this prep defense.

Really good and the set are really going for it there but just a little tight.

Oh, how about that?

Eagles keep it alive.

Hornets get another opportunity.

They make the most of it once again, it's Aubrey Ruggles, the junior.

And this I would submit this Madison, this.

This may be the first time in this match that we're seeing Hackett get a little momentum.

It's been pretty much all Baptist Prep.

Hackett has stuck around and stayed around a couple of times in that second set, but tried to develop some momentum of their own.

And that's the key to a good team.

Even if you're not playing your best and you're making mistakes, you keep the pedal, you keep your foot on the gas and it's going to pay off.

And they got a little bit of momentum.

But it's back and forth right now.

Both teams pretty playing evenly.

Abby Coleman now to serve or have six seniors listed on the Baptist Prep roster.

They're playing like a really experienced team right now, too.

You can tell there's a lot of maturity and a lot of leadership on this team.

The Eagles retake the lead and try to grab a little bit of that momentum back.

So that set was a little bit high, looked like the Rothwell just couldn't quite get to it.

He goes out and it's another Eagles point.

Lots of Eagles fans here behind us.

But as the crowd continues to build here, the bank Ozark Arena and a few of maybe some of the fans that could be neutral here today, I think cheering for the Eagles as well.

The passion is definitely infectious from the Eagles.

I mean, from the coach to the fans behind us to the players, you can tell they really want it.

And it's it's hard not to be on their side if you're neutral.

I swing it.

That one Hornets will get the point I have to give credit though, to the Eagles.

They're excited about just the effort that was shown in trying to keep that win around.

Emily Ivey, a senior, laying it all out there.

But the point goes to Hackett and the Hornets now trailing by two, trailed by three oh, Ivey checks out.

Stephenson comes back in and as you mentioned, having a pretty solid.

Yes, for sure.

Very consistent player coming up, really big for Baptist Prep.

Hackett's going to look to make a quick side out right now get a good in system pass set and Cale right off the bat that would make a statement they don't need to let Baptist Prep get any more momentum.

There's a question on the scoreboard at the moment, and it's not really a question anymore.

Coach Spoon wanted another point and her player said, Coach, it's all right.

They gave us the point.

They don't give away free points around here and we have a line violation this time.

Michael and Freeman Momentum carried her a little bit far.

There's the point that Coach Beam wanted, by the way.

Yeah, you better point mention they don't give away free here.

I tell you what, though, the Eagles have done their part to earn every single one a fantastic outing so far.

Two sets to the Eagles, try to make it a third and pull off a sweep here.

We'll come back and find out a little bit more about that.

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Oh, the way the Baptist Prep Eagles are playing right now, win or lose, a lot of their fans and I'm sure would like to get a copy of this DVD because they are looking good.

It's very true.

Playing so consistently and so strong and even points that they're not getting, they're still going all out and diving for every single point.

The effort is there.

It's paying off so it service ace at the hands of Abby Fielder that's serve and flat Such a good floater Hackett just can't backpedal and get their platform underneath fast enough This one still a little tough coming off the serve receive.

Yeah you know eagles get it over now the opportunity for Hackett but Freeman pushes it over another opportunity right here quick set and the Eagles are sticking around and they get the point page Webb coming off another fielder assist fantastic swing by Paige Webb Fantastic set She loves that area of the court well cross-body swing tool off the hand straight down almost impossible today that Freeman and Hackett will get the point net violation that's why it's so good to be ahead and have that cushion just in case you make an error like that.

It's okay.

You still have a good four point lead this one and coming over into our vicinity to stay alive hornets with a chance Freeman with the kill McKenzie Freeman keeping the Hornets in this one now coach said McKenzie Freeman will put the ball away with authority and that was an authoritative swing by her and her team needs her right now.

I like that phrase.

And when Coach said that in the the pre-game discussion, I thought, yeah, we're going to have to use that a time or two.

If she does.

And she does, yeah.

But the Eagles have been doing it as well and likely better over the course of the afternoon.

Oh, and they have choreographed cheers.

Oh, well, I just turned around and saw the fans section behind us.

Pretty big.

Yes, everyone is on board.

It's growing.

Fielder tries to take that one back across at the line, but she keeps it alive.

Great.

Dig by Freeman.

But the Eagles will come away with the point.

She laid it all out.

But it's been Baptist Prep this afternoon and 1914.

The lead extends again.

You know, a lot of the times when your team is playing really good, it's almost like you can't mess up, you can't do anything wrong.

It's when you're in the flow zone.

I feel like Baptist Prep is in the flow zone right now.

Hornets sin that one long and the hornets will call a time out.

Baptist Prep is five points away in this class three AA state championship match.

Back in a moment.

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With you in mind, Centennial Bank member FDIC +38 state championship on the line here in the bank Ozark Arena Baptist trip eagles up 20 to 14 and Abby Renshaw has had a fantastic day so far.

She will serve now for the Eagles.

I think Renshaw having pretty much as good of a day as you can have and peaking at the right time.

State finals showing out for her team.

Hey.

Oh, Baptist Prep has never won a state championship and the fan base here is sensing that that elusive title may be close at hand.

And how nice would it be to send off all of those seniors with the state title?

And we mentioned there are six listed on the roster.

You know, that means all four years they've been putting in that work and to have it all pay off their senior season, I can't imagine the feeling yet.

Another pill, another point for the Eagles.

Stephenson continues to look good.

One of those six seniors as Pressley Morris, another will serve just inside great kill for the Hornets and it stopped another of those mini runs for the Eagles.

Yep, exactly.

That's what Hackett hopes to do right now.

You stop the run, you gain some momentum.

You have players, step up, make big plays.

You tell the defense, hey, nothing hits the ground.

Every single ball needs to be up.

So every now for Hackett, Kylee Hill Upshaw, one of those seniors for Baptist Press Trap excuse me, the nice attack.

Jackson's going to send that one.

Long Hornets staying alive?

Yep.

Hornets just trying not to have any errors.

But then being aggressive at the same time.

It's a fine line, but really, you have nothing to lose at this point.

Field on set and that one will go wide as well.

Stephenson Not successful this time.

Hackett Sticking around.

Stephen Trying to find the outside hand of the blocker and just couldn't get a touch on that.

Jackson sends that wide and the Hornets with four quick points.

It looks like Coach is going to call a timeout.

It's a very smart move by her pack.

Hackett gaining some momentum looking to make a stop to that get in the service had a little bit aggrieved coach Krista Spoon who has been the head coach and I believe the head cheerleader, if there were one here today, I think she has that responsibility as well, sees her team give up four quick points and at this point in the match, definitely a good time to slow things down and talk it over with your team.

Meanwhile, Coach Freeman, on the other side, this is exactly what you need to do.

You haven't had any real momentum all day long.

You've been playing from behind most the day.

But stick around right here because it is not over yet.

And so you just want to stay in it.

Stay in it?

Exactly.

It's not over till the other team gets 25 points.

Nothing to lose.

You have to stay aggressive.

It's your last game.

You give it all you have and that's all they can do.

Yeah.

And just try to push to a set for.

Exactly I serve up Shaw.

That one falls.

It's an impossible place to dig.

Almost not impossible, but fantastic.

Deep swing.

Pretty close.

Yeah, it is pretty close.

It's not.

You're right, it's not impossible, but wow, it's pretty close.

Upshaw playing with a lot of consistency.

Coming up, big for her team today.

Another senior for the Eagles, Emily Ivie, to serve it good aggressive serve got him out of system Upshaw again Upshaw with the kill again at that point put that whole area at the back court wide open the block needed to close and cover that area but match point here we go I.V.

serve and the Hornets stay alive, stay aggressive no matter what.

And here with the serve, you Don't want to miss her serve.

But you also need to get Baptist out of system.

You need to make the center, have to get off the mat struggling.

And here we go.

FREEMAN To serve fielder the set Jackson Hornets keep it alive and the Hornets get another point really really good placement by Mendenhall Kinsey Mendenhall one of four seniors on this Hackett Hornets team, making their fourth appearance here in the finals field or tries to push it over.

Morris is there and there is a line violation.

Now, I'll tell you what, though.

That's fantastic coverage by Pressley Morris.

And she saw she saw the blocker get in there, push the ball back over and she was underneath a very impressive net.

Hornets sticking around here Freeman with the serve Jackson since that over and Jackson hits the point match point this clip look at that dogpile It's hard not to be so excited for the team even if you don't even know the fans are lining up behind us.

Looks like everyone wants to be in that dogpile.

Coach burst into tears.

It's obvious they put in a lot of hard work for this win the first state championship for the Baptist Prep Eagles here in 2022.

And they do it in straight sets 16, 22 and 22 over the Hackett Hornets.

A fantastic afternoon and a great showing.

What a way to go out.

Each element of the team playing with such consist urgency and such maturity.

It's obvious there was a lot of seniors getting there.

You celebrate both these teams in the seasons that they have had so far.

Of course, the handshake there at Center Court Hack Hackett Hornets will close out the season with just two losses, 28 and two on the year.

And for Baptist Prep, it is win number 36 this season.

All of those reps, all of those games, all of those hits leading up to this point.

And it's obvious why players and the coaches would cry because there's so much effort, countless hours in practice, all culminating to this one feeling.

And it's definitely worth it for us to really pack it with its fourth consecutive plaque, two of them as champions.

And now back to back years as runners up.

And, you know, I mean, that has to hurt to get to the finals and lose.

But that is such an incredible feat to even make it here.

They didn't need to not hang their heads.

They should be very proud of the way that they played in their season.

Champions agreed.

And they'll be back for the state champions Upshaw there to receive it for her team and take it back in the middle of the mosh pit.

Congratulations to the Eagles and what a great, great year.

We'll take a break and we'll be back in just a moment.

Get to talk with Coach Spooner and one of the Eagles here.

As you are watching, Centennial Bank State Volleyball Championships presented by Everett Buick, GMC on Arkansas, PBS Sports.

Can you see her greatness when you attend her games, when you cheer her on or when you participate in any way, you support your community and make it better and you will see her greatness.

Join us as we pledge to increase the visibility of women's sports in our community.

It makes a difference when we all are involved at the DNC.

We proudly support our local female athletes and encourage you to do the same.

See her greatness.

Centennial Bank is committed to you.

Since our founding in 1999, we've become one of the nation's most trusted banks.

By remembering that you come first, by empowering our communities to reach their highest potential through our dedication to local charities, education, and exceptional service.

Because we are proud to call Arkansas home banking with you in mind.

Centennial Bank member FDIC Centennial Bank is committed to you.

Since our founding in 1999, we've become one of the nation's most trusted banks.

By remembering that you come first, by empowering our communities to reach their highest potential.

Through our dedication to local charities, education and exceptional service.

Because we are proud to call Arkansas Home Banking.

With you in mind, Centennial Bank member FDIC will have an opportunity to talk with Coach Krista Spoon here in just a moment, but she's going to have to make her way through the sea of people.

And so will we'll get the headset on.

Coach Spoon here.

She did find a way to get around.

It helps to have people getting you back over here.

Coach, come on in here.

We want to get a chance to to see you, and we can tell that you're emotional.

That's not a surprise, because we watched you coach your very emotional coach as well.

Talk a little bit about your feelings of winning this championship.

Well, my seniors were seventh graders the last time we came here and we didn't win.

And so since the seventh grade, there's six of them.

They all contribute.

They all play.

And they've had this goal since July.

And they've never looked back.

Honestly, they haven't.

And I'm so, so proud of them.

The end the season like we did is just truly incredible.

I'm so thankful.

Talk to me about all the hard work that you put in throughout the season and how it feels for all of that to finally come to fruition.

I mean, we we get after it in our gym every single day.

I mean, we have tape on our floor that we the last person that dives the furthest we put piece of tape on the floor.

I mean, we go we get after it every day.

We have a great culture and our bench is very supportive.

Like every kid has a role and every kid is important to our volleyball program.

We have 65 kids in our volleyball program, seven through 12th grade, and every single kid that contributes.

And I'm super proud of the hard work they put to coach.

It was a fantastic offensive effort.

They came out swinging?

No, no question that they were going to be active on the offensive side.

But the defense stepped up as well.

Yeah.

Myla Libero is one of the best liberals out there.

And my other two DCIS.

I think you lost me.

My other two Diaz's are truly incredible.

Well, I would have said the opposite of what you said, because I would have say coming in our service, even our passing, I think, was what was going to get us to where we needed to go, because they had a lot of offensive weapons, but we just kept them out of system the whole time.

And I think that was truly what did it for us.

That really was key.

And I know there are a number of players we talked about Alyson Jackson, but also talking about Abby Renshaw.

She had a fantastic day as well.

Abby's amazing.

Abby worked as hard, if not harder than any person in my gym.

And I can't.

I'm glad to get her back for another year next year.

So.

Well, Coach, congratulations.

We'll get a chance to talk with your MVP.

Now, take it all in, baby.

Thank you.

You got a chance now to talk with Alison Jackson, who is a senior now, and have the.

What a way to finish out your career.

Alison, congratulations on the win.

You so much.

We are we want to celebrate you in the end.

The fact that you're the most valuable player.

Just name that as well.

Talk about what that means to you.

Well, it's honestly like such an honor, but it wouldn't be possible without my amazing teammates.

I just think that this is so important more than just for myself, but for the Kingdom of God and for my school to represent my school, to represent my friends and the teammates that got me here.

It's so, so incredible.

But it's more than just about me.

Oh, I love it.

Talk to me about the feelings as you're inching closer to that third set win.

I mean, just what were you feeling?

What did it feel like when you finally got that final point?

Well, honestly, processing everything is crazy, but the fact is that we just made school history.

We've never won a championship.

And school history.

And so that's just crazy.

I I'm like, shaking right now.

So even honestly.

But I just think it's more than awesome.

It's the greatest thing.

Greatest Feeling I felt and that's it.

Like, I've worked from fifth grade all the way to this moment to do things like this, to be in a spot like this.

It's awesome.

Last, I want to ask one last thing, that last point.

I mean, you you sent quite a few of them cross with authority.

That last point looked like you just put it back across and and wow, it went in.

Yeah, barely.

I was, like, shaking.

I barely could get off the ground, but, like, to fight.

And a fight for more than just myself is just everything that gets me through.

That last point of.

Wanting it more.

Congratulations.

You so much graduations.

Again, our class three state champions, the Baptist Prep Eagles and Alison Jackson, who is the most valuable player.

And we give her the congratulations as well.

Listen, this is what we're learning halfway through the day here, Madison.

We have three more state championships the way the Class four state championship is coming up next.

It is set for first serve just a little bit after 3 p.m..

So tune in right here to watch that.

When Brooklyn and Shiloh Christian in the state championship in class 484, Madison Fitzpatrick.

I'm Joey McWilliams.

You have been watching the Centennial Big State Volleyball Championships presented by Everett Buick GMC on Arkansas, PBS Sports.

More on the way.