It was a day that Paris fans will always remember. In a rematch of the 2020 state final where it was Hackett who decisively defeated Paris by the set score of 3-0, this year it was Paris who played flawlessly, flipping the script and defeating Hackett 3-0 for the 2021 Class 3A volleyball state championship. Paris senior Alyssa Komp was named as the finals Most Valuable Player with 11 kills in the match.
Paris and Hackett played four times in 2021, with Hackett winning the first two meetings. In their first match, it was Paris, playing at Hackett, jumping out to a two set lead, only to see Hackett come back to win the match, 3-2. In their second match, this time at Paris Gymnasium, Hackett defeated Paris 3-1 in dominant fashion before a large Paris crowd. The second defeat seemed to be the low point in the season for Paris. With just a little more than two weeks in the season, the Lady Eagles could have quit and written off a season that began with high expectations with a highly acclaimed senior class.
But the Lady Eagles bounced back 48 hours later and won a conference match on Thursday over Waldron, and then, after making changes in their lineup and rotation, blew through the Paris Invitational Tournament that Saturday, seemingly beginning a two week resurgence that saw Paris peak at the right time before entering post-season play.
The Lady Eagles received a bye to the semifinals of the 3A West Tournament, and won its game in lackluster fashion against Charleston. Hackett defeated the Booneville Lady Bearcats before a Booneville home crowd, and thus set the stage for the third meeting between the Lady Hornets and the Lady Eagles.
Paris lost a first set to Hackett in the 3A West Tournament final before roaring back and defeating Hackett for the tournament championship. This time, it was Hackett who seemed rattled and not knowing how to react to the Paris attack.
Both teams advanced through the first three rounds of the state tournament that was held at Paris, and neither school lost a set in the run to this year’s final. So, the stage was set for what this writer had dubbed as “Super Fight IV” for a rematch of last year’s state championship final.
So, last Saturday in Hot Springs at Bank OZK Arena, the fight was on, and in the first set, Paris maintained a small lead before finally pulling away late in the set to win. And from that point, the match was not contested as Paris played a near flawless match, overpowering Hackett at the net, and not letting many points drop in the Paris back court on defense. Senior Alyssa Komp led all Paris players with 11 kills on her way to being named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. And as if this was not enough for the decorated senior, it was her 18th birthday, as well.
For six Paris seniors, it was a dream come true to end their careers with a state championship over their conference rival. And for a senior class that had endured much adversity throughout 2020 and as late as two weeks remaining in the season, the class came together and led the Lady Eagles to playing their best volleyball at the right time, and brought another state championship home to Paris.
A month ago I wrote a story saying that NOW was the time for the Paris seniors to bring home a state championship; that time was running out and this was their last opportunity. For this senior class, that is exactly what they did, and they deserve tremendous credit for playing under very high expectations from the Paris fan base and not having crumbled under the pressure. Their state championship run will always be remembered, and the six seniors who finished the season with a state title, they may be remembered as the most successful and prolific senior class in Paris athletics history.
The team returned home on Saturday evening to a rousing welcome from the entire Paris community. As the team bus was escorted by law enforcement and local fire fighters, the bus drove triumphantly down Highway 22 and made the circle around the Logan County Courthouse Square. As the courthouse played the song, “We are the Champions” proudly from its speakers, a large crowd of fans and community members cheered and waved to the players. It was truly a special moment for both the team and the community, and it was a reminder of how much schools and their teams especially mean to small communities.
For Hackett, it was a very successful season that is full of promise for the future. Hackett played a young team this year, and it was a huge victory for the Lady Hornets to make it back to the state championship final. Hackett will be heavily favored to win the championship next year based on the large number of returning players from this year’s team. Coach Bridget Freeman did a great job in coaching a young team, and a state runner-up finish is a great year for a very young team. The Lady Hornets will be tough to beat in 2022.
For Paris, it was mission accomplished for the 2021 season. Many observers had been looking forward to this year and this team, saying that this was the year Paris had a good chance to win it all. But when you are the favorite and every opponent takes it best shot at you every week, it takes a special group of players to remain focused and avoid upsets that can prove costly to achieving team goals. This team did that, although there were rough spots scattered throughout the season, just like all teams experience every year. But the biggest credit is due to how the team regrouped very late in the season, showing great character and resolve when most teams would have quit. Every coach dreams of their team peaking at tournament time and making a run to a championship. And for Coach Jordan Devine and the coaching staff, including coach Josh Stark who filled in during Devine’s maternity leave from the team, did a tremendous job, filling in at a very crucial time of the season.
Paris will miss their six seniors dearly in 2022, leaving big holes to fill on the front line, missing perhaps the best setter in the state, and the overall leadership and experience that they brought to the team. Junior Brailey Forst and libero Rachel O’Neal will be two seniors in 2022 that will lead the rebuilding year for the Lady Eagles. It will be an important travel season and summer for Paris as they work to develop players and devise a lineup and rotation that will be the next generation of Paris volleyball.
But for now, it is celebration time for the Lady Eagles and the Paris community. Congratulations to Hackett for a great season and for finishing as state runner-up, and congratulations to the Paris Lady Eagles for bringing another state volleyball championship home to the trophy case at Paris Gymnasium. It was a day to remember, and Paris fans will never forget this epic performance and accomplishment for Paris.
Photos from the match are available on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports. It was a pleasure covering Paris volleyball in 2021, and we can’t wait to do it again starting in August of 2022!
On behalf of Resident Press, congratulations Paris Lady Eagles….2021 Class 3A State Volleyball Champions!
