Early Fireworks: Rivalries Take Center Stage

Early-season border wars? Inner-city showdowns? Key rivalries renewed? LET'S GO!!!   The season is just getting started, but nobody told the schedule makers to ease us into it. We already have some big-time matchups that could give us an early look at where teams stand and, more importantly, give us some really good volleyball.   These are the matches you need to be in the gym for if you're anywhere close. Rivalries bring a little more energy, a little more noise, and usually a few players who seem to find another gear when they see that familiar jersey across the net.   We're going to take a look at some of the key matchups and the veterans who have been through these battles before.   Benton Vs Bryant-A "Salty" affair    1-0 defeated Clarksville 3-0.   Taylor has been there. A three-year starter for Bryant and the unquestioned leader of this new-look Hornets roster, she has been through the good and the bad. She opened the season with 9 kills and 2 aces and continues to bring the same competitiveness, confidence, and sportsmanship that have defined her career.   Now comes the next challenge. Beat Conway. Taylor is 0-2 against the Panthers, but this isn't the same Bryant team we've seen the past couple of years.   The Hornets have added some serious young talent. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='768346' first='Brinkley' last='Gigerich'] (11 kills, 2 blocks, 7 digs), Jordan Stanfield (10 digs, 2 aces), [player_tooltip player_id='935574' first='Kenley' last='Harris'] (3 kills), and [player_tooltip player_id='773932' first='Brynn' last='Bohannan'] (21 assists, 1 ace) are already contributing. Veterans [player_tooltip player_id='1021059' first='Brooklyn' last='Fischer'] (4 kills, 5 aces, 2 blocks, 10 assists) and Kindsey Roberts (5 kills) give Bryant even more firepower around her.   Taylor doesn't have to do it alone. She just needs to do what she's done for three years: compete, lead, and make plays when Bryant needs them. Tonight she gets another shot at the Panthers, and I expect that gym to be loud, rowdy, and a whole lot of fun.     1-0 defeated Conway 3-1   Bella Gonzalez is another veteran of the "Salt Bowl" battle. The six-rotation outside led the Panthers' offense last season and will once again be right in the middle of everything Benton does. Gonzalez finished last year with 249 kills and 21 aces, and she has already come out swinging this season with 13 kills and 2 aces in the opener.   But Bella's value goes well beyond the numbers. She is a coach on the floor for the Panthers. She communicates, keeps everyone organized, and brings the kind of experience you want when the gym gets loud and things get a little crazy.   Gonzalez won't be alone. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1010880' first='Lynley' last='Woolbright'] (3 kills, 2 blocks), Rylan Poor (7 digs), [player_tooltip player_id='999917' first='Anna' last='Eidt'] (10 digs), and Joey Nixon (16 assists) give Benton an experienced group, while sophomore outside [player_tooltip player_id='1008797' first='Kaitlyn' last='White'] opened the season with 17 kills.   Bella has been in this match before. She knows the atmosphere, she knows the pressure, and she knows what it takes to win it. I have a feeling she doesn't want to walk out of the gym tonight with a loss to a bitter rival. When things get tight tonight, expect Benton to look toward No.9.    Valley View Vs Marion    1-0 Defeated Brookland 3-0   [player_tooltip player_id='1008480' first='Kate' last='Calhoon'] is coming off a junior season where she put down 305 kills in 100 sets while hitting an impressive .357. Calhoon is efficient, experienced, and gives Valley View a player they can turn to when they need a point. She can attack from multiple spots across the front row, making her a tough matchup to prepare for.   The Lady Blazers also get senior [player_tooltip player_id='807048' first='Peyton' last='Prater'] back after an injury ended her season early last year. Add seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1008850' first='Lynnli' last='Jo Thomas'] and Mary Kate Rees, along with juniors Carleigh Cullen, who also battled an injury this summer, and [player_tooltip player_id='1010951' first='Meredith' last='Supine'], and Valley View has plenty of experience surrounding Calhoon.   There may be a little extra motivation in this one as well. Marion got the better of Valley View twice last season, winning 3-1 and then surviving a 3-2 battle. The Lady Blazers haven't forgotten. They are healthy, experienced, and ready to give the defending champs all they want this time around.     On the other side is [player_tooltip player_id='809961' first='Kendall' last='Brown'], and I'm not sure there is much she hasn't done for Marion. The senior captain has played 281 varsity sets during her career and has lined up at middle, outside, and even defensive specialist. More importantly, Brown helped lead Marion to the 5A state championship last season. She has been in these matches before and knows exactly what they require.   Even with the unexpected departure of [player_tooltip player_id='1008008' first='Jaida' last='Sturdivant'] right before the season, Marion hasn't missed a beat. The Patriots already avenged one of their only two losses from last season by beating Collierville, then followed it up with that battle against Westside. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='810005' first='Marlee' last='Williams'] has really stepped up in Sturdivant's absence, already putting down 28 kills with 7 aces and 5 blocks. Junior Taylor Ruffin has added 16 kills and 5 blocks, while seniors [player_tooltip player_id='749868' first='Claire' last='Brinkley'], Alli Sharpe, and [player_tooltip player_id='791707' first='Annabelle' last='White'] have provided some much-needed stability.   These two went five the last time they met, and I don't see much reason to expect anything different. I'm calling another five-setter.    Bentonville vs Bentonville West    1-0 Defeated Shiloh Christian 3-1   [player_tooltip player_id='750653' first='Avery' last='Jo McDonald'] brings the power. She is an aggressive attacker who isn't afraid to challenge the block and can get rolling in a hurry when she finds her rhythm. She gives her team a player they can lean on when they need a big swing and plays with the confidence you want from an outside.   Both teams have tons of weapons. [player_tooltip player_id='749837' first='Evelyn' last='Venters'](12 kills,9 blocks), [player_tooltip player_id='566871' first='Tristen' last='Hamilton'] (9 kills), Ella Dryer (9 kills) along with McDonald( 7 kills, 6 blocks) are going to bring the thunder tonight.     1-1 Defeated Farmington 3-1 and lost 3-0 to Fayetteville   [player_tooltip player_id='743939' first='Audrey' last='Calva'] is off to a great start for Bentonville West, leading the Wolverines with 27 kills through seven sets and averaging 3.9 kills per set. She has been the go-to option so far, but what makes West dangerous is that she isn't doing it alone.   Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='999622' first='Anna' last='Kate Davis'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1004470' first='Claire' last='Schofield'] already have 21 kills each. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1020442' first='Claire' last='Hammond'] has added 9, while senior [player_tooltip player_id='836585' first='Noelle' last='Hammond'] has 7. That's five different hitters Bentonville has to account for. Throw in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1006134' first='Emma' last='Thompson'], who also has 7 kills, and there are options everywhere.   That's how West can give Bentonville problems. You can't spend the entire night worrying about Calva. If you commit too much attention to her, Davis or Schofield can make you pay. Then you have both Hammonds working at the net. Audrey may be leading the way, but this is a pretty balanced Wolverine offense, and Bentonville will have their hands full.      Westside vs Harmony Grove    2-0 Defeated White Hall 3-0 and Harrisburg 3-1   [player_tooltip player_id='762345' first='Jaycee' last='Bossert'] gives Harmony Grove a presence right in the middle of the action. She plays with energy, competes hard at the net, and can make things difficult for opposing hitters with her block. Bossert also gives the Lady Cardinals another offensive option who can take advantage when the defense starts worrying too much about the pins. Add in [player_tooltip player_id='747267' first='Preslie' last='Walker'], [player_tooltip player_id='800079' first='Brittyn' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='785641' first='Leelana' last='Kennach'] and you have solid experienced group of Lady Cardinals.   Harmony Grove will need defense tonight against a Westside team that has plenty of weapons. But Harmony Grove isn't lacking in the weapons department either.     1-1 Defeated Harrisburg 3-0 lost to Marion 3-2.   On the other side is [player_tooltip player_id='815018' first='Kaydence' last='Garland'] and a Westside team that has already shown it isn't afraid of anybody. The Warriors pushed defending 5A champion Marion to five sets earlier this week, so they come into this one already battle-tested. [player_tooltip player_id='1017164' first='Kimber' last='Wynn'], [player_tooltip player_id='834319' first='Kirby' last='Conrad'] and Garland have led the attack for the Warriors. They have 19,18,17 kills respectively, the offense is going to have to produce to overtake Harmony Grove   Garland brings another challenge for Harmony Grove. She plays aggressively, isn't afraid of the moment, and gives Westside someone they can turn to when they need a big play. In a match like this, those points matter. Westside took the game 3-2 last season, I wouldn't be surprised with 5 sets again.    -Robert Birch Lead Scout Prep

Early-season border wars? Inner-city showdowns? Key rivalries renewed? LET'S GO!!!