Alma’s Beneux leads by example
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Vivian Beneux stands flatfooted with white socks gleaming off the court at Charles B. Dyer Arena. The happy chatter among teammates is almost calming before the storm.
And that’s a good thing.
The Lady Airedales are eager to delve into a season with high expectations. Vivian Beneux is all in.
“I think all of us feel like the vibe is way better than last year, we’re all close and we like each other,” she said. “The vibe is way more positive.”
Beneux and Co. open the regular season Monday at Ozark, then jettison to Florida, Paris, and Pottsville as part of a lengthy regular season-opening road trip beginning Monday.
Alma opens 5A-West play on Sept. 10 against Farmington.
Vivian, the youngest of Paul and Allysia’s three children, happily carries the torch once toted by older brothers Alex and Karsten.
"Watching my brothers grow up made me want to be like them,” she said. “They were both successful. Growing up and watching them play sports, whenever I got to seventh grade I was ready.
"It's (sports) has been a big part of my life."
The same goes for doing right. Not just with sports, but everything else.
“They (parents) always told me to be respectful and to give it everything I've got. You should leave everything on the floor,” Beneux said. “You never know when you're going to play again and when you're going to have an opportunity taken from you. Being as successful as they (brothers) were at sports, I know there is a higher standard with my parents, too. I just love competing.
"Play with everything you have."
Beneux’s high school athletic journey is nearing its end. Well, sort of. Beneux also competes in soccer and track.
“It’s something (senior season) you don’t think about; it seems like it’s so far away,” she said. “I have to show them (younger players) how to be a good senior, just like my upperclassmen showed me. You have to set a good example and show them that good things don’t just come easy.
“Playing for the ‘A’ is a prideful thing. This is one of the best schools in Arkansas, so you have to wear it with pride.”
“To have a kid like Viv as a senior is a coach's dream,” Weaver said. “She’s great in the classroom, she’s a great person, and she works super hard on the court. She’s so consistent… I always know which Vivian is going to show up.
“She brings her best every day, and for our underclassmen to see that, it’s a privilege for them.”
Including senior manager Allee Little, Beneux is one of seven seniors who have already meshed with Weaver’s strong sophomore class.
“Our senior class as a whole is just full of studs,” Weaver said. “We have six, and Allee Little is seven. To stay in the program for six years, and to finish the journey, is a huge accomplishment, and it’s becoming more and more rare.
“This group has become that banner group to show what it means to participate in clubs and to put in that extra time in practice to become better.”
Along with a well-distinguished group of seniors, the Lady Airedales will have one of their stronger sophomore units since 2008. The deep unit includes size, stature, and ball-handling skills.
“I’ve always wanted to get better but to just know that there are people behind me that want more playing time, honestly it makes me want to push myself harder,” Beneux said.