The GHS varsity girls’ volleyball team has completed its regular season schedule, winning all but one of 19 matches, finishing unbeaten (14-0) in 5A West conference play for the second straight year. Head Coach Jennifer Golden and her Lady Bulldogs now turn their attention to the state tournament, which they will host starting next week. One of 16 teams, Greenwood (West #1) will play Tuesday at 9 am against Sheridan. The Lady Yellowjackets are the 4-seed from the 5A South.
Recently reflecting on this most unusual of seasons, Coach Golden remains very high on her team and their chances to make another state title run, especially while playing at home, though it won’t be easy.
“This season has been unique, to say the least,” said Golden, now in her 20th year as Greenwood’s head coach. “From the beginning of August, we have taken every practice and every game day by day. I'm so proud of how all of my girls have responded in every situation.
“We started our season with our regular 6A gauntlet of teams, and aside from [our] first and only loss against Fayetteville, I'm so proud of how this team has given everything to make it a [year] worth remembering. It was early in the season, but we had two very tough five-set wins against [Springdale] HarBer and [Ft. Smith] Southside that really set the tone for our season,” said Golden.
Traditionally, the coach loads up her team’s early schedule with some of the best 6A teams in this part of the state, including Fayetteville, Greenwood first match this season, and its only loss, followed by consecutive wins over 6A powers Har-ber, Ft. Smith Northside, and Southside, before starting conference play. The Lady Bulldogs haven’t lost again, ending their regular season with a 17-match winning streak.
The nine most recent wins have come over the last month against Alma (2), Greenbrier (2), Russellville, Van Buren, Vilonia, Siloam Springs, and Mountain Home. During that stretch, the Lady Bulldogs lost only two sets, winning most matches 3-0 in straight sets. Remarkably, Greenwood lost just three sets throughout the entire league schedule. Only Russellville and Greenbrier took their matches to four sets against the GHS girls.
On September 29th Greenwood hosted and defeated Greenbrier, 3-1, winning 23-25, 25-14, 25-23, and 25-16. Senior Hannah Watkins led the offense with 16 kill shots and added seven blocks defensively. Freshman Myia McCoy also had 11 kills. Senior Madison Pugh had five service aces, while seniors Sami Stilley and Jocelyn Sewell had 12 digs each. Senior Anna Johnson led the team with 37 assists.
On October 1st the GHS girls hosted Russellville in another four-set win, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, and 25-18. Senior Larkin Luke led the team with 12 kills, followed by Watkins and McCoy with 11 each. Luke also had eight blocks at the net, followed by Watkins with five. Pugh led Greenwood with 14 digs, while Johnson and Stilley had eight each. Johnson also led in assists with 36.
Five days later, on October 6th, Greenwood hosted the Lady Pointers of Van Buren and won in straight sets, 25-15, 26-18, and 25-10. A trio of Lady Bulldogs tied for the team lead in kills with nine each – seniors Caylee Ciesla, Hannah Watkins, and Larkin Luke. Pugh and Stilley had 14 and 13 digs, respectively, and Johnson was the set-up queen with 33 assists. Sewell (15) and Pugh (14) led the squad in service returns.
Two days later the GHS girls traveled to Central Arkansas to take on Vilonia, winning 25-8, 25-15, and 25-18. Watkins had 11 kills to lead the team and added five blocks. Jocelyn Sewell had five service aces while Johnson had 26 assists. Sewell (9) and Madison Pugh (12) handled most of the service returns for Greenwood.
On October 13th Greenwood hosted Siloam Springs and treated the Lady Panthers to a straight set loss, 25-15, 25-12, and 25-17. Ninth-grader Myia McCoy led the team with 13 kills, followed by Watkins and Luke with 10 each. Sewell had 14 digs and 19 service returns, while Johnson had 36 assists.
On the 15th the Lady Bulldogs made the long bus ride to Baxter County to take on the Mountain Home Lady Bombers. But a straight set win made the trip worthwhile, 25-21, 25-22, and 25-12. Watkins (13) and Luke (10) powered the offense with 23 kill shots. Sewell had 12 digs, Johnson had 28 assists, and Pugh returned 15 serves.
Last Tuesday the GHS girls hosted longtime rival Alma, again winning in straight sets, 25-20, 25-17, and 25-20. Watkins had 14 kills, followed by Ciesla with nine. Madison Pugh had three service aces while also returning 13 serves and notching 10 digs. Jocelyn Sewell led the team with 15 service returns. Johnson added 31 assists.
This past Thursday afternoon the Lady Bulldogs traveled to Greenbrier for their regular season finale and came away with a three-set sweep, 25-23, 25-16, and 25-12. They were led offensively by Hannah Watkins with 11 kills, Larkin Luke with nine, while Caylee Ciesla and Myia McCoy had seven each and Allison Rose had five.
Jocelyn Sewell had three service aces and led her teammates in digs with 13. Sami Stilley had eight digs and Watkins added six blocks. Anna Johnson paced the Lady Bulldogs with 31 assists. Madison Pugh had 17 service returns, while Sewell had 10.
With the state tournament just ahead, Coach Golden talked about how her team has progressed this season and the key players who’ve been instrumental in the current winning streak, making Greenwood one of the favorites to win the state title.
“Hannah Watkins has really stepped into her senior role as a hitter this year,” said the coach. “She has been so consistent in the middle and we have relied on her heavily.
“Anna Johnson took on the role of a 5-1 setter early in the season, and two weeks ago we celebrated her 1500th career assist. She has done a great job of leading our team on and off the court,” said the coach.
“[And] Myia McCoy has been so fun to watch this year. She has improved in every area of her game and has really become a force for us. Caylee Ciesla has [also] been a steady constant for us, and we will look to her to continue this into post season play,” offered Golden.
“[Senior] Allison Rose has become a utility player for us, in that she plays almost every position, depending on our team’s needs. It is amazing to watch her step into any role that we ask of her.
“[Senior] Zoie Dean has really become a force on the right side for us. Her work ethic and competitive attitude have really propelled her into her starting position,” added her coach.
“Sami Stilley [another senior] is also a utility player who can play front row, but she has really [become] a dynamic defensive player. She is so athletic, and she is fun to watch.
“Jocelyn Sewell has stepped up her play on the back row. She is dependable [receiving] serves and is an exceptional defensive player. Madie Pugh has also been an impressive back row player for us. She is agile and has the ability to read in defense so well,” said Golden. Both girls are seniors.
The coach then talked briefly about the state tournament format to be used on the GHS campus. Rather than use the smaller volleyball gym, all regular season home volleyball matches were moved to H.B. Stewart Arena for proper social distancing between fans during the pandemic. But with 16 teams, both facilities will be needed for the state tournament.
“We’re hosting the state tournament starting on Tuesday the 27th,” she said. “We will run two gyms on [Tuesday], then Wednesday and Thursday [matches] will be in the arena only.”