Lady Mohawks in conference hunt

Lady Mohawk Penny McCluskey goes for the dig in action last Tuesday against CRA at Piggott High. Also shown is Taelor Lewis (right). The Mohawks dropped the match, but are still in good shape for a first or second in conference based on their play this season. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

The Piggott Lady Mohawk volleyball team has played into a pretty good position as the regular season begins to wind down. Following the recent win over Brookland, and despite last week's loss to Crowley's Ridge Academy, the Tribe has an excellent chance to finish the conference schedule either as co-leaders or in second place. How it all pans out, according to Coach Melissa Williams, depends on next Thursday's visit to the Lady Bearcats.

Last Tuesday evening the Mohawks hosted CRA, and took the first two games of the set 25-11 and 25-17. But the Lady Falcons rallied in the final three games 17-25, 14-25 and 6-15 for the conference win. CRA also took the junior match 21-25 and 20-25, meanwhile, Piggott took the junior "B" match 17-15 and 25-15.

On Thursday night the Mohawks visited Harrisburg and beat the Lady Hornets in both senior high, junior high and junior "B" action. The varsity match went to the Tribe 25-17, 25-23, 22-25 and 26-24. Scores in the junior high match were 25-23 and25-19 and the "B" team won 25-22 to complete the sweep.

This past Saturday the Mohawks traveled to Jonesboro for the day-long ASU Playday, and made a good showing. In the first match of the day they split with Marion 14-25 and 25-15. They also split their matches with Hutchinson, from the Memphis area, 25-23 and 16-25 and the Lonoke Jackrabbits 25-22 and 17-25.

In the tournament play the Tribe was ranked 12th in the top division and lost to the eventual champions from Scott City, Mo., 14-25 and 22-25. They closed out the day with a loss to Paragould 22-25 and 23-25.

Monday night the Mohawks traveled back to Jonesboro and eased past Ridgefield Christian in straight games, 25-17, 25-22 and 25-7. The junior girls also got back on track with a tough win 23-25, 25-22 and 25-20. The girls from RC took the junior "B" match but the Piggott girls won the seventh grade match.

"If we take care of business like we should, we'll be okay," Williams noted of the upcoming schedule. The Tribe will host Hoxie Thursday, Oct. 2, at PHS and the junior team will play in a tournament at Brookland this Saturday. Conference play resumes with a trip to Bay on Monday night, and the important match at Brookland is set for next Tuesday, Oct. 7.