After a road conference victory at Booneville on Monday night, the Paris Lady Eagles returned home on Tuesday to host the Green Forest Lady Tigers in another conference match-up. The Lady Tigers made the almost three hour bus ride from Green Forest to play the Lady Eagles. Green Forest, a newcomer to the Class 3A West volleyball conference, was playing at Paris in the first game of the two game round robin conference schedule. Paris will return the long trip to Green Forest next month.
The game was a mismatch from the beginning. Green Forest, a program that has been in the state tournament frequently over the past few years, seemed to be overwhelmed by the Paris front line. The game quickly got out of control with Paris scoring seven unanswered points to start the first set. Green Forest, a good volleyball program, was left to scramble on seemingly every volley to keep up with the velocity of the Paris serves and kill shots.
After two lopsided Paris wins in the first set, coach Jordan Devine substituted freely in the third set. Many Lady Eagles players who have seen limited playing time to senior “B” games were put into the lineup to start the third set. The Paris starters stood during their time on the court, cheering their teammates.
It was great to see these players get some varsity playing time. Coach Devine took advantage of the opportunity to rest her starters and to give the other players some court time in a conference match. The players remained in the game until the score reached 15-10 in favor of Green Forest. Coach Devine reinserted the starting lineup at that point, and Paris went on to win the third set and the match 3-0.
With the win, Paris improves its overall record to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play. The Lady Eagles next match will be at Elkins on Thursday. The game with the Lady Elks will be another conference match-up for Paris. The Lady Eagles are headed for a showdown next week at Hackett. But before Paris goes to Hackett on September 10, the Lady Eagles must first take care of business at Elkins tomorrow night and at home against Lincoln on next Tuesday night. The young Lady Eagles continue to improve and to mature as they gain more time playing together, and the next stretch of the conference schedule will include a test of two road games against very good teams. So for Paris, the old cliche of “take them one at a time” certainly applies as the Lady Eagles cannot afford to overlook anyone as they approach the game with Hackett.
Paris has the day off today before they make the trip to Elkins tomorrow. The first game at Elkins will begin on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Junior A, Senior B, and Senior A games are scheduled. Paris fans who plan to make the trip should remember to bring their masks. As has been all season, AAA and Arkansas Department of Health regulations will be in effect at the game.
Stay with Resident Press for complete coverage of the Paris Lady Eagles and their quest to return to the state volleyball tournament!
