Bentonville West surged ahead in the third set to beat Fort Smith Northside in a 6A-West Conference volleyball match Wednesday night in Fort Smith.
The Tigers, ranked near the top of the conference standings this season, overcame a slow start to pull away from Northside, which remains at the bottom of the standings after the loss.
Fort Smith Northside won the opening set, 25-22, with strong defensive plays and consistent passing that kept Bentonville West off balance early. The visiting Tigers responded in the second set, edging out a 25-21 win fueled by improved serving and more aggressive net play.
The turning point came in the third set. Bentonville West dominated with a balanced offensive attack and tighter defense to win 25-14. The Tigers’ setter distributed the ball effectively to several hitters, making it tough for Northside to anticipate attacks. Bentonville West’s blockers and back-row defenders also limited Northside’s scoring opportunities.
Bentonville West closed out the match with a 25-20 fourth set win to claim the victory in four sets.
The Tigers’ balanced team effort included multiple players contributing kills, aces, and digs. Their offensive versatility put constant pressure on Northside, which struggled to find consistent rhythm in the later sets.
Despite the loss, Fort Smith Northside showed flashes of promise, particularly in the opening set and during some stretches of the second. Their outside hitters made several strong attacks, and their libero helped stabilize passing under pressure. The challenge remains for Northside to maintain focus and execution throughout all four sets against top conference teams.
Bentonville West’s win strengthens their position near the top of the 6A-West standings. They will look to continue building momentum as the season progresses while Northside aims to find offensive consistency and defensive stability in upcoming matches.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
