The Hackett Lady Hornets, who many are predicting to win this year’s Class 3A state volleyball championship, defeated the Charleston Lady Tigers last night by the set score of 3-0 in the semifinals of the 3A West conference tournament. Hackett defeated the tournament host Charleston Lady Tigers to advance to tonight’s conference tournament championship final.
In the second game of last evening’s session, the Paris Lady Eagles swept the Booneville Lady Bearcats, also by the set score of 3-0 to advance to tonight’s final with the Lady Hornets. The rematch with Hackett will be the third meeting of the season between the two schools. Hackett has swept six sets from Paris in the two previous meetings and wins for the Lady Hornets. The six set losses represent the only set losses for Paris in conference play this year.
As a result of last night’s semifinals games, Hackett and Paris will play for a #1 seed in next week’s state tournament. The loser of tonight’s match will go to the state tournament as the #2 seed. Last night’s semifinals losers, Charleston and Booneville, will play today at 4 p.m. with the winner going to the state tournament as the #3 seed.
Tonight’s championship final will start at approximately 6:30 p.m. following the completion of the 4 p.m. consolation game.
The four seeds from the 3A West, Hackett, Paris, Charleston, and Booneville, will face opponents from the 3A Northwest next week in the state tournament that will be held on the campus of Harding Academy in Searcy. In the 3A Northwest tournament that will play its championship final tonight, the Atkins Lady Red Devils will play the Harding Academy Lady Wildcats for the top seed coming out of the 3A Northwest. The loser will go as a #2 seed. In the third place game, the Rose Bud Lady Ramblers will play the Salem Lady Greyhounds for a three seed in next week’ state tournament.
The schedule in Searcy for Tuesday’s first round state tournament games is as follows:
West #4 vs. Northwest #1 12 p.m.
West #2 vs Northwest #3 2 p.m.
West #1 vs Northwest #4 4 p.m.
West #3 vs Northwest #2 6 p.m.
Looking ahead, if Hackett wins the 3A West tournament tonight, they will play the loser of tonight’s consolation game between Rose Bud and Salem. In this scenario, Paris would play the winner of the Rose Bud vs Salem match at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
If Booneville defeats Charleston in tonight’s 3A West consolation match, the Lady Bearcats will play the loser of the Harding Academy vs Atkins match on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Additionally, the loser of the 3A West consolation game tonight will play the top seed from the Nortwest (either Atkins or Harding Academy) at 12 noon on Tuesday.
For 3A West teams, if it is possible to avoid playing Harding Academy on their home floor in front of a sellout crowd, teams will want to do so by taking care of business tonight.
It is a great time of year; championships are on the line. It is what players and coaches have been working for all year, and at RNN Sports, we wish all of the area teams in the River Valley the best of luck both tonight and in next week’s state tournament! Stay with RNN Sports for updates and photos from next week’s big event at Harding Academy!
