Blue Devils win first-round match in State Volleyball tourney

West Memphis beat Little Rock Christian in four sets for first playoff win in over a decade

WM School District The West Memphis Lady Blue Devils used a stout defense Tuesday to claim their first state tournament victory since 2008 as they cinched a four-set decision over Little Rock Christian Academy in the first round of the 2020 Class 5A state volleyball tournament at Greenwood.

The win advances the Lady Devils to today's 6 p.m. quarterfinal against Hot Springs, which defeated Mountain Home in five sets in another first-round game.

West Memphis bolted to a two-set-to-none lead against Little Rock Christian and then held on for the four-set win. The Lady Devils won 25-22, 25-20, 22-25 and 25-17.

'Defense was key tonight,' said West Memphis head coach Erica Lear. 'It allowed us to run an offense. We had tons of momentum and energy. Everyone played as a team.'

Senior Cymiya Stokes was 20 for 22 in serves with 3 aces and she had 9 kills and 2 blocks. Fellow senior Delanie Johnson was perfect on all 14 on all her serves with 3 aces. She also had 10 kills.

Junior Presley Crader compiled 42 assists and was 15 of 16 from the serve line with 3 aces.

Sophomore Samantha Holt was 13 for 13 serving and she led the team in digs with 15.

Senior Ta'Nya Burnett topped the team in kills with 17 and she added 4 blocks. Sophomore Clemisha Prackett had 6 kills and 3 blocks. Alexis Chamness was 15 for 16 serving and she had 10 digs and 4 kills.

Serving specialists Mary Grace Duncan and Jordan Pulliam each hit on all of their serves.

In other first-round action, Marion swept Beebe in three games to advance to today's 3 p.m.

quarterfinal against host Greenwood.

Tuesday's win was West Memphis' first in state play since it defeated Little Rock Fair in the first round in 2008.

Photo by Billy Woods