Ladycat Volleyball State 2015

November 4, 2015

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

Page 21

PRIDE.

TEAMWORK. SUCCESS.

Presenting the 2015 Mena Ladycat Volleyball Team

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

2015 State Volleyball 1st Runners-Up

African Proverb

PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA MAECHLER

Way to Go, Ladycats!

You make us proud!

WORK Congratulations TEAM Coming together is a beginning. to the Keeping together progress.

Mena Ladycats isWorking together is success. & Coaches!

- Henry Ford 479.394.4248 • 104 Port Arthur Avenue • Mena, AR 71953-3344

Supercenter 67 • 600 Hwy. 71 N

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THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

November 4, 2015

KQOR Volleyball Broadcasting C rew PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA MAECHLER

BY MELANIE BUCK After sweeping the 4A State Volleyball tournament held in Mena 9-0, the Ladycats earned yet another opportunity to play in the State Championship, playing at the Bank of the Ozarks Arena at Hot Springs Convention Center on Saturday, October 31, surrounded by devoted, loyal Ladycats fans ready to watch the team that always leaves everything they have on the court. While the final outcome was not what the Ladycats had hoped for, they returned home with an impressive Arkansas State Volleyball 1st Runners-Up trophy to add to the display case housing Ladycat honors both past and present.

The reigning 2014 State Champion Ladycats had become the “hunted” and once again faced the determined Shiloh Christian Lady Saints, who the Ladycats had defeated last year in the final game. Coach Brad Lyle and the Ladycats knew this team would be looking to upset the top seed. The Ladycats planned to bring their strong blocking to the court to shut down Shiloh’s main scorer. The games were emotional for several of the Ladycats, who were playing their final high school career game. It was the end of an impressive four year conference record of 30-0 and overall 95-10 record for a group of seniors that will forever be bonded through a historical winning streak that has delivered much enthusiasm and excitement to the Ladycat program. The Ladycats rallied to keep the momentum going on their side of the court Saturday in Hot Springs, but in the end, couldn’t quite capture the title they had their sights set on.

The Lady Saints knew that it wasn’t just the Ladycats they would face going into this year’s championship game, they would be surrounded by Mena’s loyal CONT. ON PAGE 23

Congratulations, Ladycats on a great season!

Congratulations, Jordan & all the Ladycats!

We couldn’t be more proud of you!

Congratulations Mena Ladycats!

Servicing Mena & Surrounding Areas

479-394-3419

PaPa, MeMa, Daddy, Momma, Dexter, Taylor, Uncle Danny & Aunt Kimmy and everyone at Hatfield Lumber Co. On the Corner of Sherwood and 7th Street in Mena

November 4, 2015

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

Page 23

CONT. FROM PAGE 22

fans. Coach Brad Lyle told The Pulse’s Mark Hobson following their final win during the tournament play last week that landed them a spot in the Championship that Shiloh’s head coach congratulated him and said, “Well, I guess we’ll see half of Mena on Saturday night.”

Lyle and the Ladycats give tremendous credit to the overwhelming fan support through the years for the winning streak the team has enjoyed.

The first championship match started with the Ladycats maintaining a two to three point lead, looking relaxed and just playing ball. But when the Lady Saints picked up a bit of momentum, they held onto it, and just didn’t let up. The Ladycats were up in the set 21-16, when Shiloh hit CONT. ON PAGE 24

PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA MAECHLER

We are so proud of you and the Ladycat Volleyball team.

Congratulations to the seniors on an amazing high school career!

We can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of you!

We are so proud of your volleyball career!

You have left quite a mark on the volleyball pages of history at Mena High School. Be proud!

Love, Mom, Dad & Rhett

Love, Dad, Mom, Kaitlyn, Meme and Pops

22 22

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THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

November 4, 2015

CONT. FROM PAGE 23

point winning streak, bringing the score to 21-22. After calling a timeout, the Ladycats dropped the first set, 23-25.

When the second set began, Shiloh Christian proved they were there to win. Sailing in one point after another, the score was 0-5 before the Ladycats won their first point. At 2-8, the Ladycats called another timeout with head coach Brad Lyle doing his all to bring out the best in his athletes. The rest of the second set went quickly and ended at 10-25, and the Saints grabbed their second of three sets.

The third set seemed to fly by even faster as the Ladycats dug, dipped, swung, set, blocked, and spiked with everything they had, but in the end, it was the Lady Saints’ day. The third set ended at 14-25, with the

CONCLUDED ON PAGE 25

We are proud of you, Kenzi, and all the girls!

Ninnie & Paw Gilbert

PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA MAECHLER

Kenzi

Congratulations Mena Ladycat #1

Spurgin

908 4th St, Mena (479) 394-5087

Way to go Madison

and all Mena Ladycats! You make us proud!

1020 Mena St. • Mena, AR 71953

479.394.4332 or TOLL FREE 1.888.394.4332

HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 am - 5:30 pm • Sat. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

www.washburns.com

on a Very Successful Career in Volleyball!!

You, your teammates and your coaches have made your community, your families and your school so very proud.

Thank you Ladycats for letting us all be a part of the ride.

Conference Record 30-0 • Overall Record 95-10

GO LADYCATS!!

Love, Mom & Dad

November 4, 2015

. . . t a c y d a Once a L ys a Ladycat!

Alwa

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

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CONT. FROM PAGE 24

Lady Saints being named Class 4A State Champions and finding the trophy the Ladycats kept from them in 2014.

The Ladycats volleyball program will lose eight seniors this year, Macy Brotherton, Madelyn Brotherton, Jordan Ward, Kenzi Spurgin, Daryan Torix, Brooke Hines, Keeley Jones, and Megan Schanfish, most of which have been playing and training together since elementary.

Macy Brotherton, Madelyn Brotherton, Jordan Ward, Kenzi Spurgin, and Daryan Torix are already committed to colleges and will officially sign with them next week. While the next stage of life for these talented athletes may take them in different directions, they are forever bonded… in the now famous words of former Coach Karlene Hooker, ‘once a Ladycat… always a Ladycat!’

PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA MAECHLER

Congratulations on such a great season!

We are proud of all of you!

Love, NaNa & Powelly

Reagan Sikes #10

Lauren Sikes #22

Kyntlie Wiles #13

Congratulations, Brooke,

on such an awesome high school volleyball career!

We love you!

Mom, Dad, and Emmi

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THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

November 4, 2015

“Individually we are one drop but together, we are an ocean.�

Ryunosuke Satoro

Congratulations, Jordan on a great season!

Reagan Sikes

Thank you for

"serving up" a lifetime of memories Reagan Sikes!

We are so proud of you and all the Ladycats!

Love you!

From Leon & Monta Philpot

#10

Dad, Mom and Lauren