As a sports fan, how many times have you heard the expression that games are often a story of momentum and momentum shifts? On Thursday night, there perhaps was no greater example than the hard-fought match between Paris and the defending state champion Hackett Lady Hornets. After Paris defeated Hackett in the first two sets, the Lady Hornets showed why they are state champions by arching their backs and winning the third set to begin a comeback that would eventually end in a close fourth set victory for Hackett and a deciding fifth set to win the match, 3-2.
Thursday’s match was the first time the two programs had faced each other since the state finals in Hot Springs on Halloween in 2020. In that match, Hackett defeated Paris in three decisive sets. Many of the Paris players who experienced that loss returned this year, and in the first two sets, it appeared that it was Paris who had the resolve to win the match.
But in the third set, Paris seemed to lose their momentum, and the play of the Hornets who were determined to turn the match around had a lot to do with the Lady Eagles losing momentum. But both schools have proud volleyball programs that are quickly building traditions of excellence, and neither team was about to quit.
Paris appeared to regroup and fought their way to what fans thought was going to be a final set win for the match. But again, the state champions showed why they are champions, and fought their way back to eventually tie the set late and go on their way to win, 26-24. The match was tied, and for the second consecutive year at Hackett, the first game of the yearly series would go five sets.
In the fifth, Hackett took and early lead, and the best Paris could manage was to keep the margin at three points. Seemingly each time Paris would win a point and have an opportunity to make a run, the team would commit a serving error or otherwise lose the point, giving the serve and the advantage back to Hackett. The Lady Hornets went on to win the deciding set, 15-9.
The ramifications of this game are interesting, as has been the case over the past two seasons. The game played at Hackett last Thursday did not count as a conference game for either school. The two teams will play again on Tuesday, October 5 at Paris Gymnasium. The 3A West conference decided before the season to only play a single game, round robin conference season. So, bottom line, the October 5 game in Paris will be the match that counts toward the final conference standings and has an effect on post-season, conference tournament seedings.
The October 5 match will be the first time the Lady Hornets have played on the Lady Eagles’ home floor since joining the 3A West in 2020. That match may ultimately determine the final order of finish in the conference as well as seedings for the conference tournament. It is possible that the two teams could play each other three more times over the next four weeks if both teams were to meet in the district and state tournaments.
Hackett coach Bridget Freeman has built a powerhouse program in Hackett and could be in position to win three more state titles in as many years if her Lady Hornets are able to repeat as state champions this year. But Paris has experience and talent and could win the championship this year. It will remain to be seen how the Lady Eagles react to the devastating loss at Hackett. On Monday, Paris welcomes the 2019 state champion Little Rock Episcopal Lady Wildcats to Paris Gymnasium for a big non-conference match. If the Lady Eagles do not put Hackett out of their minds for now, Episcopal could hand them a second consecutive loss. Paris is loaded with a strong senior class, and now is the time for those seniors to take control of the team and refocus them on what is still obtainable and not on what could have been. This may be the most critical point of the season for Paris. Eagles fans will know much more about their team tomorrow when they play Episcopal.
Resident Press will be in Paris on Monday to bring you coverage of the Episcopal game in Wednesday’s online edition. Photos from the game will be posted on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports on Thursday.
The Lady Eagles need their loyal fan base to show up big on Monday to support their team against a 3A power Little Rock Episcopal team. So, wear your blue and show up big and proud for the Lady Eagles!
See you Monday!
