MAVS HEADLINE 39TH FORT SMITH INVITATIONAL

Back in 1980, Southside volleyball coach Steve Haaser probably never dreamed how far his little volleyball tournament would go. Today marks the 39th Fort Smith Invitational Volleyball Tournament. Southside (20-2) faces Beebe in the first round of bracket play at 9:30 a.m. The tournament includes 16 schools, with a heavy dose of 6A-Central and 6A-West foes. The Mavericks could end up playing 6A-Central foe North Little Rock, whom they also play Tuesday in conference. Mount St. Mary, Little Rock Central and Northside are the other 6A-Central foes. Van Buren heads up a list of five 6A-West foes. The Lady Pointers face Little Rock Christian today at 10:30 a.m. Defending state champion Greenwood (14-4) draws Little Rock Central today at 10:30 a.m. The Lady Bulldogs have won all eight of their September matches. Northside coach Matt Waack’s squad faces Shiloh Christian this morning at 10:30 a.m. on their home court. The Lady Bears beat Russellville in the inaugural event in 1980. Northside has won the tournament four times and reached the finals 10 times in all. Southside has won the FSI 19 times in all and been in the finals 30 of the first 38 years. Today’s event includes two of Haaser’s former players. Lindsey (Layes) Biocic coaches at Rogers Heritage. Her Lady War Eagles play North Little Rock in today’s first round. Springdale coach Meagan Thompson and her assistant, Kylie Ballard, are both former Southside volleyball stars. Springdale faces Mount St. Mary in the first round. 39th Fort Smith Invitational At Southside (Courts A&B); Northside (Courts C&D) Game 1: Southside vs. Beebe, 9:30 a.m. (Ct. A) Game 2: Springdale vs. MSM, 9:30 a.m. (Ct. B) Game 3: Bentonville West vs. Harrison, 9:30 a.m. (Ct. C) Game 4: NLR vs. Heritage, 9:30 a.m. (Ct. D) Game 5: Greenwood vs. Central, 10:30 a.m. (Ct. A) Game 6: Van Buren vs. LR Christian, 10:30 a.m. (Ct. B) Game 7: Northside vs. Shiloh Christian, 10:30 a.m. Ct. C) Game 8: Har-Ber vs. Vilonia, 10:30 a.m. (Ct. D)

MAVS HEADLINE 39TH FORT SMITH INVITATIONAL

KEVIN TAYLOR

Times Record | 9/29/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Brian D. Sanderford