GREENWOOD — Greenwood posted a three-set sweep against Van Buren on Monday (25-22, 25-10, 25-15).

But what happened on the opening point is what both the Lady Bulldogs and Lady Pointers will take from the match. As a tribute to the U.S. Olympic sitting volleyball team, which is currently competing at the Paralympics in Rio, both squads sat down on the court.

The only player standing to begin the match was Van Buren's Caroline Davis, who served, with Greenwood unable to return it as Davis was credited with an ace. Then the players on both teams stood up to resume the match.

Monday's opening point was Greenwood coach Jennifer Golden's idea.

"For our team bonding day this year, we went to Edmond, Okla., where the U.S. sitting Olympic volleyball team practices," she said. "I had emailed and asked if we could come up and just observe a practice, and they went above and beyond by letting us watch, interact with the girls and they did like an hour clinic of the sitting sport with us, which was just amazing.

"It was really cool. Their big thing was they wanted to grow the sport, they want to make awareness of the sport, and so they're very open to people coming and learning. ... Then we came up with the idea to do this, and that was kind of a spur of the moment thing also. (Assistant coach) Tim (Golden) suggested it and so I talked to (Van Buren) coach (Brent) Reeves (on Sunday) on the phone and kind of explained to him what we wanted to do and why and he was all for it, and it was fun, it worked out."

One of the Lady Bulldog players who was part of that experience of meeting the U.S. Olympic sitting volleyball team is sophomore Ashley Reeves, Brent Reeves' daughter.

"I thought that was a neat gesture that they did to honor those guys and what they're doing down there," Brent Reeves said. "I'm glad they thought of that, that was great."

The opening set was back and forth before Greenwood, trailing 20-19, scored three straight points, the last on Hannah Johnston's tip-over. The Lady Bulldogs then ended it on Madi Pfeifer's back-line kill.


Greenwood (15-6) continued its momentum with a strong second set. Then in the third set, back-to-back aces from Jillian Bateman gave the Lady Bulldogs a 10-6 lead, which grew from there.

"We're starting to get in our groove and play our game and just taking care of business," Jennifer Golden said.

Pfeifer finished the match with 16 kills and a stuff. Brooke Shortes recorded 22 assists, Lexie Castillow had 18 digs and Bateman had four of Greenwood's 11 aces.

For Van Buren (5-5), Davis finished with nine assists and two aces, and Bekah Olienyk had four kills.

The Lady Pointers resume 7A-West play at home today against Rogers, while Greenwood is off until Thursday, when the Lady Bulldogs resume 6A/5A-West action at Siloam Springs.

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

Nonconference

Greenwood def. Van Buren 25-22, 25-10, 25-15.