Wright, Morris power Alma’s Junior volleyball team to win

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools 

Alma’s seventh, eighth, and ninth-grade volleyball teams earned a clean sweep at Pottsville on Wednesday. 

The seventh-grade Green earned a 25-16, 25-22 victory, followed by the Gold’s 25-23, 25-20 triumph. The eighth-grade won in two sets, 25-12, 25-22. 

Paced by Ellyse Wright and Jaeli Morris, Alma’s junior high team defeated Pottsville, 25-19, 25-16. Wright added five digs and two assists, and Morris chipped in with two digs, a solo block, and an ace. 

Chloe Kovalck came up big as well with eight assists, four kills, six digs, and an ace. Mallory Taylor finished with nine assists, three digs, and one kill; Madie House had three kills and nine digs; and Camryn Waters led the way with 13 digs, one kill, and one assist. 

Also for Alma, Bentley Vaughn had five digs and an ace, followed by Lea Wilson with three digs, and an ace. Olivia Whipple had two kills, two aces, and a dig, and Haven Baxter added two kills. 

Alma will host Siloam Springs on Tuesday, then travel to Paris and Van Buren on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. 

Next Saturday, Alma’s eighth-grade team will compete at the Spikefest Tournament in Springdale, while the ninth-graders travel to Russellville for the Whirlwind Invitational. 

Alma freshman tie Morrilton, 6-6

The Alma Airedale freshmen football team traveled to Morrilton on Tuesday. It was the season opener for both teams. The defense was the story of the night as the teams battled to a 6-6 tie.  

Junior High rules state non-conference games don't play overtime to determine the winner, that's only in conference games.

Morrilton's first possession began following an Alma punt. The Devil Dogs went on an 11-play 74-yard drive on their opening possession of the season. Blake Baldwin blocked the PAT to limit the damage to six points.  

The defense ruled the rest of the first half as neither team could manage to get points on the board.

Alma's offense finally got a spark late in the third quarter as they began a drive on their 44-yard line. Seven plays later, Brody Baldwin hooked up with Dallas Perkins on a 28-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-6 with six minutes left in the fourth quarter.  

The PAT was no good and the score remained tied at six. Both teams had opportunities in the remaining minutes but neither could muster enough offense to get points as the game ended in a tie.

Perkins led the offense with 35 yards rushing on eight carries. Perkins also scored a TD on one of his 3 receptions for 30 yards. Baldwin was 7-of-13 passing for 48 yards and a TD.