If you believe as I do, the preseason is an excellent opportunity to play tough competition that will make your team better in the conference and post-seasons. On Tuesday of this week, that is exactly the opportunity that the Paris Lady Eagles volleyball team had as a participant in the Greenwood Lady Bulldogs volleyball camp. The teams that participated in the camp included the defending Class 2A state champion Mansfield Lady Tigers, as well as bigger schools from Class 4A to Class 6A. On the Lady Eagles schedule for this day were the Mena Lady Bearcats, the Russellville Lady Cyclones, Greenwood Lady Bulldogs, and the Hot Springs Lakeside Lady Rams. A daunting schedule that featured two-set matches with each school, including a Greenwood Team 1 and a Greenwood Team 2.
Noticeably absent from the Lady Eagles was front-line hitter Akira Robinson. Paris rotated many players and player combinations and line-ups throughout the day, developing players and increasing the quality of depth on the team. And there were some spots that showed Paris that they still have some preparation to perform over the final two weeks of the summer. There were stretches where the team struggled with serving and setting. But make no question: this is a very deep and talented club that, if they remain healthy and continue to progress from week to week during the season, could make a serious run through the state tournament and possibly a return engagement in the state finals, or possibly a Class 3A state championship. Their conference will include the defending Class 3A state champion Hackett Lady Hornets that will be primed for their own state championship run, as well as improved conference opponents Charleston and Booneville.
Paris will open their season in two weeks when they host the Farmington Lady Cardinals in a preseason, non-conference match that will benefit the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) catastrophic injury fund. The season schedule will officially open on Monday, August 23, when the Lady Eagles will travel to Russellville to take on the Lady Cyclones.
Stay with Resident Press for the most complete coverage of Paris volleyball from the first spike to the final point in what hopes to be another championship year for Paris volleyball! Additionally, more photos from the Lady Eagles matches at the Greenwood volleyball camp are now available on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports for viewing and / or downloading at no charge.
Thanks for reading Resident Press, and I will see you on August 19 for the Lady Eagles AAA benefit game with Farmington!
