By Mark Rico
Focus Sports Editor
Months of uncertainly has led to this — the start of the 2020 high school volleyball season in Arkansas.
It began on Monday with all five Faulkner County schools in action, marking the official restart to high school athletics in the area.
The high school state basketball tournament was halted in Mid-March after only one day of play and all spring season thereafter were eventually cancelled altogether as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the state.
Weeks later, Governor Asa Hutchison shut down school campuses for in-person learning in April.
Until Governor Hutchinson and the Arkansas Activities Association announced return-to-play plans last month, it was not known when high school sports would return in Arkansas.
The Mayflower Lady Eagles were especially eager to return after finishing 19-10-2 last season – including an impressive 10-2 clip in conference play – but then were upset in the opening round of the state tournament by Piggott High School.
“We lost two important players (outside hitter) Jaci Braswell and (middle hitter) Haylee McGuire to graduation but we have six players returning who all played a significant role on last year’s team.” said Mayflower third year head coach Candice Lawless. “The restrictions kept us from being able to really practice or scrimmage so we did a lot of conditioning and skill work. Also, I had Stephanie Irwin (from Central Baptist College) come in July and run a two-day clinic to break up the monotony.”
Though defending champion Harding Academy has departed the 3-A Central Conference – the league has added state powerhouse Episcopal, along with Ashdown, Baptist Prep, Harmony Grove, Jessieville, Lisa Academy and Perryville – expanding from a six-team conference to ten.
After a long off-season away from the court, Mayflower can now begin preparations in working towards fullfilling a bold prediction made by current senior setter Autumn Fuller, who was then in her first season under Lawless.
Winning a state championship.
“Our off-season was interesting this year for sure.” Lawless said. “In the spring, my assistant coach and I posted workouts to Google Classroom trying to keep the girls active. We would also post individual drills they could do at home and challenges occasionally. But once June rolled around and we were able to get back in the gym things were still a bit weird.”
Covid restrictions aside – the Lady Eagles are poised for success with Fuller, in addition to athletic libero/defensive specialist Summer Faught, a senior.
Senior middle hitter Avery Muse and junior middle hitter Armani Sims are the other mainstays who will be looked upon to help the Lady Eagles compete for a possible state run.
Mayflower will play a 22-game schedule with in-conference match-ups with Episcopal and Baptist Prep cited by Lawless as important games along with former league foe Central Arkansas Christian.
“I expect us to continue to be competitive this year but the changes in the conferences will make things a little more interesting.” Lawless said.
TEAM AT A GLANCE:
MAYFLOWER LADY EAGLES
Head Coach: Candice Lawless (Third Season)
Last Year’s Record: (19-10-2, 8-2 3-A Central)
Last Year’s Finish: Lost in First Round of State Tournament to Piggott (3-1)
Key Departures: Jaci Braswell, Haylee McGuire
Key Returning Players: Autumn Fuller (S, Sr.), Summer Faught (L/DS, Sr.), Avery Muse (OH, Sr.) Armani Sims (MH, Jr.)
WEDNESDAY: GREENBRIER LADY PANTHERS
Faulkner County Focus Sports 