Lady Devils trip Trumann

Lady Devils trip Trumann

West Memphis defends home turf

WM School District The West Memphis Lady Devil volleyball team, full of newcomers on the court, got their season off on a positive note Monday night at Lehr Arena, dispatching Trumann in two straight sets.

West Memphis dominated set 1 with a 25-14 decision before pulling away from Trumann late in set 2 for a 25-21 win.

Head coach Erin Neeley was pleased, but she noted that her youthful outfit still left something in the tank at the end.

'That's not as good as we can play, but I'll take a win any day,' she said.

Powerful serves helped the Lady Devils with some easy points as they racked up five aces in only the two sets.

'I stress every day in practice that our serves are so important,' Neeley added. 'We can't give up any points with faults. Our serving tonight helped us quite a bit.'

Three newcomers led the West Memphians in digs with sophomores Cameron Aaron and Anna Beth Nelson along with Victoria Templeton with three apiece.

Senior returning starter Kassidy Pardy was another top defensive player with three blocks.

Rileigh Smith, another returning senior stalwart, led the team offensively with two kills while Pardy added 1.

In assists, returning senior starting setter Eva Pouncey provided 7 while Aaron had 6. Templeton led in aces with 2.

Earlier in the evening, the West Junior high teams saw action against Trumann. The Blue Imp seventh-graders split two sets, winning the second set 25-6 after dropping the opener 16-14.

The West varsity defeated Trumann, 26-24, 22-25 and winning the tiebreaker 1511.

Ta'nya Burnett had 6 kills to lead the way while Chloe Kauffman had one stuff block and 5 kills.

Presley Crader was the top server, going 14 for 15 with four aces while Elissa Waldrip was 11 for 13 with 2 aces.

By Billy Woods