9/9/22
Alma netters top Siloam Springs
Logan Evans had to wait around for a free court on Thursday afternoon in order to face Siloam Springs’ Bryan Tran.
The wait was worth it.
Evans’ strong backhand game was too much as the Alma senior rolled to an 8-3 win over Tran in 5A-West tennis action.
Tran had earlier competed in a boys' doubles match. And, although he didn’t have to, Alma tennis coach Bryan Jernigan worked the schedule in Tran’s favor to allow the Panthers’ senior extra rest between matches.
“I think what was working for me today was my serves were looking good,” Evans said. “I felt a lot more consistent and not trying to hit the ball too hard. I felt like overall it was a good win.”
Jeremiah Schlegel rolled to an 8-0 singles win over the Panthers’ Eliot Posey. Alma’s No. 3 singles player, Layne Goins, defeated the Panthers’ Brayden Ratliff in straight sets, 6-2.
Alma’s top two doubles teams won their matches Thursday, too. Jackson McMurray and Caden Farris grinded out an 8-5 victory over Tran and Ezekiel Becan. The Airedales’ Kolby Kimmons and Josh Smith won their match, 9-7.
“I felt like we were doing pretty good on our lobs,” Farris said. “When I started out, my volleys were a little bit iffy, but they got a lot better as the match progressed. We were pretty consistent all the way through, too.”
McMurray was happy with her strong serves.
“My serve was really working today,” he said. “We battled.”
Also, for the Lady Airedales, Alexis Stowe and Abby Spencer won their doubles match, 6-4.
Farris said he enjoyed the school support on Thursday.
“I love playing at home,” he said. “It’s a lot less stressful than playing away when we don’t have anyone supporting us.”
“It’s nice playing in front of people supporting you, but it’s also nice to pick up another conference win, no matter what,” McMurray said.
Volleyball
The Alma Lady Airedales snapped a four-game losing streak on Thursday with a 22-25, 25-14, 25-16, 25-17 win over Siloam Springs in 5A-West play.
Alma (4-5-1, 1-1) will open a brief two-game home stand Monday against Hackett.
Rachel James posted a triple-double for the winners with a team-high 11 kills, 11 assists, and 12 digs. Sophomore Mabrey Birchfield and junior Miranda Gibson finished with 14 and nine digs, respectively.
Senior Jenna Williams added a double-double (10 kills and 11 digs). Junior Zoe Thrift finished with five kills.
Football
The Alma Airedales’ junior high team suffered a 26-0 loss to Shiloh Christian on Thursday. The Saints put the game away with a pair of touchdowns in the final four minutes.
Sam Schlegel led Alma with 89 yards rushing on 14 carries. Tim Plourde added 41 yards rushing on seven carries.
Boaz Benson paced the defense with seven tackles. Cooper Dunaway and Trenton Kilgore added four tackles apiece. Dunaway had a quarterback sack and a pass breakup.
The Alma seventh grade team suffered a loss to Shiloh Christian.
Barron Daily led the offense with 35 yards rushing. Mason Mahar caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Tucker Workman to account for the Airedales’ offense.
Daily led the defensive charge with nine tackles. Trenton Simon had seven stops, and Brennan Gwinn finished with four.
Golf
The Alma Airedales’ golf team competed at Eagle Crest on Thursday.
Presli Taylor shot a 90 to lead the girls’ squad. Marlee Cedillo carded a round of 118.
For the boys' team, Piercen Howell shot a 94 to lead the way. Byron Standridge shot 106, and Matthew Rodgers added a 116.