Rogers took advantage of volleyball momentum in the second set of Tuesday’s 6A-West match with Van Buren.

Down to their final points in the third set, they almost rode momentum to a sweep.

Ryley Martin finished with 17 kills and the Mounties took a huge step toward post-season play with a 25-19, 25-11, 19-25, 25-22 victory at Clair Bates Arena.

The Pointers (5-3) travel to Bentonville on Thursday.

“It’s a tough loss, but I thought Rogers played great tonight,” Van Buren coach Brent Reeves said. “I didn’t think we played very well early. In the third and fourth games, I thought we played a lot better.”

Van Buren senior Alex Dupree led the Pointers with 11 kills.

Rogers trailed 24-14 in the third set when they scored five straight points to force a Pointers timeout before eventually falling.

Then in the fourth game, the Pointers led 8-3 before Rogers rallied for an 18-13 advantage.

Dupree’s smash and a Rogers hitting error helped Van Buren tie the set at 19. The Pointers, however, were never able to regain the lead.


“Every match from here on out is huge,” Reeves said. “We didn’t win at home, and it hurts to lose one at home.”

Rogers’ Anna Randels finished with 11 kills and digs and the Mounties’ Abby Harris had a game-high 27 assists.

Rogers’ Alexa Albarran had 10 digs and Harris also added 5 aces.

Grace Doolittle had eight kills for the Pointers, and Mickelle Porter finished with 24 assists.