TEXARKANA, Ark. - Arkansas High met its match in Benton High School.
The Lady Backs (6-12, 2-7) fell to the Lady Panthers (19-1-1, 8-0) Thursday evening at Razorback Gym in a Conference 6A/5A match, 25-4, 25-15, 25-6.
"From the first time we played them to now, we've grown as a team," Arkansas High head coach Kaylee Treas-Dalby said. "We've learned a lot about ourselves this season so far. Even in my time at Arkansas High, I've learned to take the good. You have to see the positive side of things.
"If I stay looking at our negative things, we will never grow as a team. They look to me as their leader, and I'm going to lead my troops. I'm not going to let them down. If I get down, they'll get down. As a second-year head coach, it could be easy for me to get mad about some of the little things. There's no point in it. These girls haven't let me down yet, and they aren't going to let me down."
Benton held an early advantage in the third set behind the service line play of Bissette Childress.
AHS took their shots when they could, but the service line play of Molly Maxwell and Hannah Brewer was too strong.
Fortunate Barry finished with 12 digs for Arkansas High.
"Fortunate has really grown," Treas-Dalby said. "She may be little, but she's fierce. She didn't play libero last year, but she's grown into the position this year for us. She's never complained and has done everything we've asked of her."
The second set began much like the first, except the Lady Backs capitalized with points off Panther blunders.
AHS trailed 13-10, before Benton ballooned their lead, 24-14, and took the match on a Katie Morrison block.
Kieonnie Strickland led Arkansas High with seven kills and four blocks.
Sydnee Blackwell added five blocks with four kills for the Lady Backs, and teammate Z'niyah Nelson ended with four kills.
"Sydnee was all over the court for us tonight," Treas-Dalby said. "Kieonnie has a bright future ahead of her and she's only a sophomore. I'm excited to see her future the next few years."
The Panthers started with a grasp of the match.
Benton held a 9-1 advantage before the Lady Backs took their initial serve in the match.
Laci Bohannan led the Panthers at the service stripe, collecting seven points during the set.
Ashlyn Walker ended the match with eight digs for AHS and teammate Kaitlyn Fortenberry contributed 15 assists.
"Ashlyn is a freshman and she's played really well for us," Treas-Dalby said. "She's really been stepping up. She took a big leap from playing with eighth-graders last year to playing varsity this year."
Benton defeated Arkansas High in their junior varsity match.
The Lady Backs are back in action on Tuesday, traveling to Hot Springs.