TEXARKANA, Ark. - Sheridan played spoiler to Arkansas High's varsity volleyball home opener.
The Lady Backs (4-9, 0-3) fell to the Lady YellowJackets in three sets Tuesday night at Razorback Gym in a Conference 6A/5A match, 25-18, 25-19, 25-16.
"We're going to keep fighting and we're going to keep getting better everyday," Arkansas High coach Kaylee Treas-Dalby said. "We're getting better every single day we go on that court. The girls are really listening and trying to get better. They're trying to fight and find a way. There's a few little things we will continue to work on but I told them to control what we can control. As long as we continue to do the little things right, something big is going to happen. The girls are really buying into that."
Arkansas High held their largest lead of the night at the start of the third set, 3-0.
The Lady Backs were trailing 18-10 when Kieonnie Strickland. Strickland finished with four consecutive service points, slicking the Sheridan lead to four, 18-14.
Kieonni Strickland paced the Lady Backs to begin the second set. Strickland accounted for three of AHS' first four points after a Sheridan hitting error.
Strickland finished the match with 10 points, six blocks and eight kills for the Lady Backs, while teammate Sydnee Blackwell added seven kills with seven blocks.
"Kieonni is going to be special for us," Treas-Dalby said. "She's only a sophomore, so I'm excited to see her progress. She's extremely coachable and one of the best all-around kids I've had a chance to get to work with. She's a great kid."
The YellowJackets were able to regain control of the set after a couple of Arkansas High miscues.
Kaitlyn Fortenberry ended her night with 22 assists and 10 service points.
Bailee Bibb paced Sheridan at the nets in the second set.
Z'niyah Nelson finished with three kills, five blocks, two aces and six service points for AHS.
The Lady Backs found themselves in a early hole in the first set, trailed the YellowJackets by as many as nine, 23-14, before the visitors ultimately took the set.
"Towards the beginning of the year when conference first started, they would get down on themselves," Treas-Dalby said. "We've really worked on teamwork and it takes a team to win. We fought hard to change this culture and I think the girls have really bought in. We're going to get better because our girls have the attitude that they want to get better."
Arkansas High won the junior varsity match with Sheridan in two sets.
The Lady Backs are back in action on Thursday, traveling to El Dorado for another conference match.