DuPree and Pitts Lead Fort Smith Southside to Victory
In a thrilling match, Gabriela DuPree and Lydia Pitts proved to be the dynamic duo that led the Fort Smith Southside Lady Mavericks to a 3-1 (25-18, 25-13, 22-25, 25-19) win over Bentonville on Tuesday night in the 6A-West Conference.
The Lady Mavericks initiated the match with strong momentum, securing the first two sets with relative ease. However, Bentonville pushed back in the third set, taking it 25-22. But Southside recovered, anchored by DuPree and Pitts’ potent offense. Their combination ultimately sealed the win, as they scored four consecutive points to turn a 15-14 deficit into an 18-15 lead in the final set.
Coach Natalie Throneberry praised the performance of her team, particularly the duo of DuPree and Pitts. DuPree finished with an impressive 19 kills and 13 digs, while Pitts contributed 18 kills. The team’s overall strength was evident in their serving, with 11 aces, including three each from Ella McEntire and Mileah Neal. Throneberry emphasized the importance of her team’s resilience, saying, “It’s a wonderful win anytime you can come to Bentonville and get a win, I’ll take it.”
The Bentonville Lady Tigers were led by Tori Otter, who had 10 kills and 8 digs. Freshman Tristen Hamilton added 7 kills, while Audrey Adair contributed 15 assists, 8 digs, and 3 aces. Coach Hannah Berry highlighted the need for consistency in her team’s performance, noting that they need to limit their breakdowns and turn those into sustained periods of strong play.
This victory marks the Lady Mavericks’ third win in a row, solidifying their position in the 6A-West Conference. Their ability to adapt and overcome adversity has so far been the defining feature of their season, with DuPree and Pitts at the forefront of this momentum.
