By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
The Alma Lady Airedales dropped a tough four-set decision to Siloam Springs in 5A-West play Thursday at Charles B. Dyer Arena.
Alma played well during a 25-19 win in the first set and led 11-5 in the second game before dropping that set 26-24. The Panthers won the next two games, 25-18 and 25-23, to even their 5A-West record at 1-1.
Alma (1-5, 0-2) travels to Hackett Monday.
Senior Zoe Thrift and sophomore Maggie Brogan had eight kills apiece for the Lady Airedales. Miranda Gibson had four kills and four aces. Sophomores Chloe Gregory and Breella Hughes added six and five kills, respectively, Thrift and Hughes also added two blocks.
Julia Nutt had a team-high 19 assists. Gibson added 15 assists.
Alma resumes 5A-West play Tuesday at Russellville. The team returns home Thursday to play Van Buren.
Tennis
Alma competed against Van Buren on Thursday. Junior Joshua Smith defeated the Pointers’ Josiah Hambee, 8-0, in singles play.
The Airdales’ No. 1 singles player, Caden Farris, dropped a 6-1, 6-1 decision to Seth Dunn. The Airedales’ Colby Kimmons suffered a 6-2, 6-3 setback.
Kimmons and Jackson McMurray earned a 9-7 doubles victory. McMurray and Smith lost to Josh Adair and Eli Adams, 6-1, 6-2. Alma’s No. 2 doubles team of Layne Goins and Levi Dobbs suffered a 6-1, 6-0 loss.
Alma’s Charlotte Kolter and Nora Medlock lost in singles play. Medlock and Lacey Haughton earned a 7-4 doubles win.
Alma’s No. 1 doubles team of Kenadie Farris and Marti Lineberry dropped a 6-0, 6-2 decision. Haughton and Kensinglton Wadkins dropped a 7-5, 6-2 decision.
JH Football
The Alma ninth-grade football team suffered a 24-10 loss to Shiloh Christian Thursday night.
Jaden Peters threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Jackson and added six tackles, two pass breakups, and one interception on defense Boaz Benson led the way with eight tackles, combined with Colton Nutt for a quarterback sack, and added three TFLs.
Dallas Perkins led Alma with 41 yards rushing on nine carries. In addition to Benson and Colton Nutt, Tristan Nutt added seven tackles and one TFL.
7th Football
The Alma seventh-grade football team suffered a 20-14 loss to Shiloh Christian on Thursday.
Quarterback Titus Benson was 7-for-7 for 96 yards and a touchdown. He led the defense with eight tackles and one TFL. Benson also ran for a touchdown while rushing for 36 yards on nne carries.
David Altherton had two receptions for 76 yards and four tackles on defense. William Hamilton caught four passes for 21 yards and a TD.
Golf
Alma freshman Chase Wood shot a 78 Tuesday at the Van Buren Invitational at Eagle Crest Golf Course.
Three other Alma freshmen faired well in the one-day tournament, with Gady Farmer and Carson Curd shooting 86 and Parker Morland adding an 87.
Juniors Piercen Howell and Miles Kendrick shot 83 and 89, respectively.