Year of the Ladycats

Chronicling the journey that claimed TWO State Championships and a team that has played a lifetime together.

Ladycat Volleyball, Ladycat Softball & Mena Heat

A Special Commemorative Section of The Polk County

July 15, 2015

School History Made!

Ladycats Capture 4A State Title Reprinted from Novemeber 2

BY NORM BETZ Three’s a Charm!

Mena captured their first-ever 4A State Volleyball Title in Ladycats Head Coach Brad Lyle’s third trip to the State Finals, finishing runner-up the two previous times. This year, Coach Lyle and the Ladycats would not be denied as they defeated the Shiloh Lady Saints, 3-1 (22-25, 25-11, 25-16, 25-20).

The Ladycats uncharacteristically started off slow in the first set, trailing by as many as nine points, 19-10, before putting together a pair of late runs. The first five point run was guided by the serving of senior Bailey Bunch, while the second run was behind the serve of junior Daryan Torix. Mena cut the lead to one point, trailing 23-22, but ultimately dropped the first set to the Lady Saints, 22-25.

“We usually come out and get the job done, but for some reason these last few days we’ve gotten off to a slower start,” said Lyle. Coach Lyle was referring to the semifinal match-up with Berryville where the Ladycats ended up in uncharted waters going the full five sets for the first time all season.

The Ladycats carried the late set one momentum, into the second set, and handily defeated the Lady Saints, 25-11.

Mena led by as many as 14 points on two different occasions during the set, which was highlighted by aces from juniors Kenzi Spurgin and Jordan Ward and timely kills from senior Rachael Wood and juniors Macy Brotherton and Brooke Hines. The Ladycats knotted the sets at 1-all.

Shiloh scored the first three points of the third set and led twice before Mena imposed their will on the Lady Saints. The Ladycats led by as many 12 points in the set and ultimately put Shiloh away 25-16, to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

The fourth set was an all out battle as Mena was trying to capture their first State Title and Shiloh was trying to stay alive and force a fifth and deciding set. The two teams put on quite the show tying the score 17 different times during the set. Once the Lady Saints tied the score at 20-all, the Ladycats CONT. ON PAGE 3A

Congratulations ladies & coaches on claiming your place in school history.

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Year of the Ladycats

July 15, 2015

had had enough and scored the final five points of the set to capture the 4A State Championship, 25-20.

After the match, Coach Lyle talked about what a special group of girls made up this State Championship team and just how unselfish his players were this season.

He never referred to or singled out his six starters all year, instead referring to everyone who played in the regular rotation as starters. He also said the girls were not interested in stats but rather playing together as a team. In fact, when asked by a member of the media after the game about individual statistics, Coach Lyle responded, “Ladycats won the game and we are the State Champs!”

Mena Ladycats end their 4A State Championship season with an overall record of 31-2, while the Shiloh Lady Saints ended their 2014 campaign with a 29-4 overall record.

“...These girls were part of a team that has

been there before and that loss was a valuable experience. This year, we were in it. I have coached great teams and great athletes and I don’t want to take anything from them but this group is by far the most unselfish team I’ve ever coached.

It was never about individuals or individual stats. I’ve never coached real selfish players but this group didn’t have even a hint of that.”

COACH LYLE

Congratulations, Jordan!

We are so proud of you, the Ladycats & Mena Heat for all of your hardwork & dedication all these years.

You are true Champions!

Daddy, Momma, Taylor, Dexter, Pa Buddy, Mema Bean & everyone at Hatfield Lumber

July 15, 2015

Year of the Ladycats

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Mena Heat Plays Final Games Together

Mena Heat Players Earn College Scholarships

BY NORM BETZ It’s every parents dream, that when you sign your child up to play athletics at a young age, that they would excel and be able to make it to play at the next level: whether it’s winning a big tournament, winning a state championship, securing a college scholarship, or even playing professionally. The 18 and under Mena Heat softball team have reached that plateau.

Mena Heat head coach Dane Ward talked about the very first meeting he had once the members of the seven year-old softball team were selected ten years ago.

“I told the girls, and their parents, that we were going to build a state championship team and that some of these young girls would end up playing college softball,” said Ward. “Of course it was far fetched at the time, but we all believed that with hard work and dedication that we could someday get there.”

Of course, at seven years old these girls really had no idea what all this meant,

BY NORM BETZ Ten years ago, at the tender age of seven, a group of girls were all put together on a team to play softball. Now seniors and graduated seniors, these 18 and Under Mena Heat softball players have finally played their final games together on this team. However, all nine of the Heat players will be playing at the college level in the next year or two.

“Words can’t describe how these young ladies have impacted my life,” said Mena Heat head coach Dane Ward. “Throughout the past 10 years we have learned many lessons, not only about softball, but about each other and how we all think and react to so many different situations.”

What was just a dream at one time is now a reality for the Mena Heat players, coaches, and parents. One of the goals for the girls was to win a state championship and nine current and former Heat players were on the 2015 4A State Championship Mena Ladycats softball team this year. Another goal was to have a new field at Mena High School; goal accomplished, plus hosting the 4A State Tournament this past year to top it off. Finally, to have some of the girls play softball at the college

Congratulations, Ladycats!

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Our Agents: Floyd Clark, Tony Hooper, Andy Brown, Mitch Sikes, and Heather Goss 309 S. Morrow, Mena 479-394-3650

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Year of the Ladycats

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Congratulations to the 2015 Ladycats & Mena Heat

Softball State Champs - Volleyball State Champs Year of the Ladycats

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Mena Heat Players Earn College Scholarships

(CONT. FROM PAGE 4A)

they were just ready to learn the game, get on the field, and have some fun together.

After 10 years of traveling all over the country and playing in more than 1000 softball games together, every member of the Mena Heat have a home to continue to play the sport they love at the next level. Jordan Ward will be playing at University of Central Arkansas; both Macy and Madelyn Brotherton will be playing at the University of Arkansas; Bailey Bunch, Kenzi Spurgin, and Paige Mendoza will all be playing at Crowder College; Corbin Tallbert and Daryan Torix will be playing at Southern Arkansas University; and Lexi Hansard will be playing at Jackson State University.

“I’m proud to say that these girls have accomplished so much,” said Ward. “They reached the goal of a state championship and not just are some of the girls going on to play college ball, but each and every one of them will be playing at the next level.”

Mena Heat Plays Final Games Together

(CONT. FROM PAGE 5A)

level, check that off too, as the whole team will be playing college ball.

Jordan Ward, Macy and Madelyn Brotherton, Kenzi Spurgin, Daryan Torix and Lexi Hansard are all current members of the Heat team that also won the 4A State Title. Kristen Kesterson and Lexi Brooks were also former members of the Heat, moved on to currently play for other teams, but also were on the 2015 4A State Championship team.

“Whenever we picked the team ten years ago we didn’t just pick the girls, we also selected a group of dedicated parents as well,” explained Ward. “Parents that would be willing to put up the money, time and effort for us to accomplish our goals.”

These young ladies have played over 100 games a year and more than 1000 games overall during the past 10 years. To say this is a close knit group is an understatement. “We have all become a family,” Ward said. “We all believed in each other and that together we could accomplish anything as long as we worked together and tried hard enough.”

Despite the fact that the girls didn’t understand everything at the young age of seven, their parents did, and that has led them to where they are today. “This group of young ladies have always set high standards for themselves,” explained Ward. As time passed, so did tens of thousands of miles and a lot of blood, sweat and tears, as this group of little girls grew up into the fine young ladies they are today. They began to understand what the goals meant and wanted to do whatever we asked to make them a reality.”

Love you! Mom, Dad and Kaitlyn The 2015 Mena Heat team included: Jordan Ward, Macy and Madelyn Brotherton, Bailey Bunch, Kenzi Spurgin, Corbin Tallbert, Daryan Torix, Lexi Hansard, Kaleigh Wynne, and Paige Mendoza. The coaching staff included: Dane Ward, Charmarie Spurgin and Jeff Brotherton, all who have invested countless hours in these young ladies lives, both on and off the field.

Unforgettable Teams that fulfilled many BIG Dreams!!!

Congratulations to all the teams & coaches on a championship season!

Telissa Montgomery 205 N Morrow, Mena 479-394-1181

www.shelterinsurance.com

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Year of the Ladycats

July 15, 2015

Reprinted from May 14, 2015

BY NORM BETZ Goal Attained! Mena Head Softball Coach Ray Hunter and his 2015 Ladycats defeated the Lady Miners of Bauxite, 7-3 to capture their ultimate goal, a 2015 4A State Championship. After making it to the State Championship in 2014, but falling to Brookland High School, the Ladycats started the 2015 season with a goal of not just making it back to the Championship game, but winning it all. “We set and met many goals this season,” said Coach Hunter. “We finally achieved out biggest goal today, winning the 4A State Championship.”

It was a long season, but the Ladycats kept their eyes on the prize and defeated the Bauxite Lady Miners for the fourth time this season to win it all. The Ladycats defeated the Lady Miners, 5-0 during the regular season, 2-1 in the 4A-7 District Championship, 13-0 in the 4A South Regional, and 7-3 to win the 4A State Championship.

“It’s been a long, stressful year and we really put a lot of pressure on ourselves to get back to Bogle Park,” explained Hunter. “These girls have worked harder than any other girls and it’s finally paid off for them.”

The Ladycats not only won the 4A State Championship, but they were undefeated in league play and finished with an overall record of 27-3. The only losses for Mena came in the River City Rumble Tournament, where they lost to 5A Vilonia 1-0, 6A Greenwood1-0, and 7A Rogers, 1-0.

The Championship game went back and forth with each team scoring and matching scores until the bottom of the fifth inning, when junior Macy Brotherton broke the game open with a three-run homer to center field to put the Ladycats up 7-3 and ultimately secured the victory.

“I’m so happy right now and relieved that we finally got it done here at the State Championship,” Hunter said. “We can now all take a deep breath and exhale, as we came here and did what we came to do.”

The Lady Miners led off the game with a double, but ended up stranding runners on first and second after a walk, when junior pitcher Jordan Ward struck out the side to open up the game.

Mena grabbed an early 1-0 lead when senior lead-off batter Bailey Bunch bunt singled to get on base. Junior Kenzi Spurgin followed suit with a bunt of her own, but was able to send Bunch home after a pair of throwing errors by the Lady Miners.

Neither team scored in the second and third innings and the score remained 1-0, in Mena’s favor headed to the top of the fourth inning.

Bauxite was able to get a pair of Lady Miners on base via walks, sandwiched in between a fly-out and strike-out. Both runners were able to cross the plate on a two-out, two RBI double by sophomore Jacie Cooper.

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PROUDLY SALUTES ALL THREE TEAMS AND COACHING STAFF ON CLAIMING YOUR CHAPTER OF SCHOOL HISTORY!

YOU MAKE US PROUD! July 15, 2015

Year of the Ladycats

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“I

t can be tough coaching daughters, this was their first year on the team, but it was great to have my family with me. It was special to be able to share this from the inside out and not just with people outside of my family.”

COACH HUNTER

Aynes Ice Company

The Ladycats grabbed the lead back in the bottom of the fourth when junior Daryan Torix crushed a two-run homer over the 220 foot center field fence. Senior Lexi Hansard was the other Ladycat to score on the home-run, after she reached on a double to right field. Mena led 3-2 after the completion of the third inning.

Bauxite tied the game in the top of the fifth inning when freshman lead-off hitter, Shelby Chavers tripled to the right field corner, and was sacrificed home on a long fly-ball out to left field.

Mena not only took control but put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring four runs on four hits. Bunch, Spurgin, and junior Kristen Kesterson hit back-to-back-to-back singles after Ward lined out to her counterpart, Bailey Buffington. Bunch was able to score on a throwing error. Junior Macy Brotherton tagged a ball and sent it out of the yard, for a three-run home run. Mena took a commanding 7-3 lead after five innings of play.

Bauxite went down in order in the top of the six inning with a fly-out, a strikeout looking and ground out.

The Lady Miners never stopped and actually loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning with just one out, but were shut down after a pair of fly-outs to junior Madelyn Brotherton and Spurgin. Mena secured the 7-3 victory and a 4A State Championship with the win.

Ward pitched a complete game, giving up four hits, walking four, and striking out nine in the Ladycats 7-3 win. Ward faced 30 batters, threw 128 pitches, 88 for strikes and 40 balls.

Kenzi Spurgin and Daryan Torix each went two-for-three from the dish, while Bailey Bunch went two-for-four. Kristin Kesterson, Macy Brotherton, Lexi Hansard, and Jordan Ward all had one hit in the contest, with Macy Brotherton racking up three RBI’s.

Many thanks to our families, friends, parents, and coaches for your continued support over the last 10 years, both on and off the field and court.

The memories, miles, and forever friendships, they will take with them wherever they go. The girls’ success has been made possible by all of you!

Keep working hard girls!!!

We love you! Parents of Ladycats

500 Ridge Avenue, Mena (479) 394-4942

Congratulations Ladycats!

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Year of the Ladycats

July 15, 2015

Coach Hunter – A Strong Dedication to Family and Team

Featured as Citizen of the Week: May 24, 2015

BY JACLYN ROSE Friday, May 22, 2015, the Mena Ladycat Softball Team made local history by winning the school’s very first 4A State Championship with a 7-3 win over Bauxite. This incredible group of athletes completed their season with a win-loss record of 32-4 and are undefeated in conference and post-season play winning the titles of District Champions, Conference Champions, Regional Champions, and State Champions. The Mena Ladycat Softball Team is led by Mena native, Coach Ray Hunter.

Coach Hunter graduated from Mena High School in 1986, a member of the Mena Bearcat Football Team, however, an injury his senior year kept him from playing in college. Instead, he went to the University of Arkansas and completed a Bachelor’s of Science in Education. After obtaining his degree he moved back to Mena and began his teaching career at Mena High School. During that time he began as an assistant coach for the football team, which he continued for 19 years. At the beginning of his career, Coach Hunter also spent seven years as an assistant coach for the Mena baseball team. In 2000, he became the head coach for the Mena softball team and has continued in that capacity. Currently, Coach Hunter also teaches three subjects for the Mena Alternative Learning Program and coaches golf.

In 1996, Coach Hunter married his wife, Shannon, and they have two sets of twins, Hattie and Anna Beth, born in 1999, and Tate and Jack, born in 2003. “My wife is very supportive of me and my career. I wouldn’t be as successful today if not for her. It takes a lot to be a coach’s wife, I spend a lot of time away from the family and that takes its toll, especially when the children were young. I try to do as much as possible when I’m home,” explained Coach Hunter. “I will say, having a son with special needs, Ray is great with Tate. When he was a baby, I ended up having to take him to the doctor alone and he asked how Ray was with him, he said having a child with special needs is often hard on a dad, especially when it’s a son. But Ray is awesome with Tate. He is an awesome dad,” added Shannon.

One of the reasons a State Championship title this year is so special to Coach Hunter, is that his daughters are part of the team. “It can be tough coaching daughters, this was their first year on the team, but it was great to have my family with me. It was special to be able to share this from the inside out and not just with people outside of my family,” Coach Hunter said.

The Mena Ladycat Softball Team, has an extremely impressive win-loss record, but beyond that, their four losses were all 1-0 losses in timed tournament play. They did not lose a full length game all year. Even more impressive is their run record with Mena outscoring their competition 238 runs to 23 runs. The most runs they gave up in a game all year was three. “This group is special.

They worked harder than any group I’ve ever seen and they are always finding different ways to work harder. If they read about it, they want to try it. If a college coach tells them about it, they want to try it. There is a group of them that show up at 5:30 am three days a week to lift

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Coach Lyle – Leader of Champions Featured as Citizen of the Week: November 11, 2015

BY JACLYN ROSE Born in DeQueen, Arkansas, but raised in Wickes, Arkansas, Coach Brad Lyle calls himself a “lifelong Polk County resident.” Upon graduating Wickes High School, Coach Lyle completed two years at Rich Mountain Community College before obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree from Henderson State University. “I realized I wanted to be a coach in the 8th grade. My high school coach, Lindall Martin was my inspiration,” said Coach Lyle.

Coach Lyle met his wife, Linda, in school and they were married in 1997. In 1997-1998, Coach Lyle coached junior high boy’s basketball and football in Dumas, Arkansas, before he was offered a job as a junior high girl’s basketball coach in Mena in 1998-1999.

“I went to college to be a basketball coach and I knew nothing about volleyball. When I accepted the position in Mena, they said, ‘oh yeah, you are going to coach volleyball, too. The first game I ever saw was when I handed in my line-up. The first year was tough but I committed to learning the game and that summer the school supported me attending several volleyball clinics. The next year, Coach Mike Hobson, was becoming more involved in administration, so I became the senior high girl’s volleyball coach while remaining the junior high girl’s volleyball and basketball coach,” explained Coach Lyle.

As a young married couple, the Lyles family wanted to make a difference. “Linda’s mom had started in foster care around the time we started dating, so when Linda graduated college and we bought a house, we got into foster care. We were just a young couple with no children who wanted to help and we had no intention of adopting, but the first four children we had, we adopted. Soon after, we found out Linda was pregnant so we literally went from zero to five kids in 380 days,” Coach Lyle explained. The couple went on to have one more child for a total of six; Holly, Robert, Roger, Hope, Gracie and Madi. “It got pretty crazy for a while, with that many kids, which led me, in 2007, to get out of coaching. I was spending all my time with other people’s kids and none with my own. At that time I went straight classroom and taught,” said Coach Lyle.

In the spring of 2012, the volleyball coach position at Mena High School opened back up and Coach Lyle felt the time was right to get back into the game. “Every successful coach I’ve heard talk has said that they don’t get there without tremendous time and dedication and my wife has supported me through the entire thing. There were times she almost acted as a single mom because I was gone so much. When I went to her and told her I wanted to step back, I could tell she was relieved but she wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do. When I went to her and told her I was ready to get back in, she said that she knew it was the right time. She’s my rock, no doubt about that,” explained Coach Lyle.

In the twelve years that Coach Lyle has been at Mena High School as a coach, the volleyball team made it to at least the semi-finals of the state tournament eight times, with

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July 15, 2015

Year of the Ladycats

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Coach Hunter (CONT. FROM PAGE 9A)

weights. They don’t just show up for a two hour practice and go home, they are always working. A lot of these girls have played on successful travel teams most of their lives. Last year all but one of my senior girls went on to play college ball. This year my two starting seniors are going on to play in college, one of them at a division one school. All of my starting junior girls are verbally committed to college. These girls are not just playing to play, but taking it on into the future,” explained Coach Hunter.

“I feel blessed to coach at Mena. I love the school, and I love the town, it’s a great place to coach. I have a great group of parents who enabled those kids to be where they are, we have great fans and lots of support from local businesses. Our family keeps us in Polk County. We love being around our family and our friends. I’ve known most of these girls’ parents since high school and it makes it more special that I get to share this with my high school friends,” said Coach Hunter.

Coach Lyle

(CONT. FROM PAGE 9A)

three of those visits taking them all the way to the state championship game. However, this team was the first to take it all the way, and clinch the title of State Champions. “I tribute our success as a team to the tradition that started back with Mike Hobson and Janice Whorton, I mean, you can’t take a man who had never seen a volleyball game and think for a second he did this by himself. I walked into a program where kids are expected to be good, because they always have been. I saw a sign at Harding once that said, ‘tradition never graduates.’

I feel like there are little girls walking around Mena, Arkansas that think they need to be good at volleyball and are dedicated to being good at volleyball,” explained Coach Lyle.

“We’ve been close to winning a state championship many times. We have taken trips to the finals but were never really into it. These girls were part of a team that has been there before and that loss was a valuable experience. This year, we were in it. I have coached great teams and great athletes and I don’t want to take anything from them but this group is by far the most unselfish team I’ve ever coached. It was never about individuals or individual stats. I’ve never coached real selfish players but this group didn’t have even a hint of that,” explained Coach Lyle.

“There are a lot of places that claim to be God’s country,” said Coach Lyle. “And I’m sure they are nice places to live but Polk County is such a great place to raise kids. People here are not afraid to keep God in their lives, they aren’t ashamed. I visit a lot of places and they have nice stuff but I always find myself ready to get back home.”

HEIR T G N I T R SPO NSHIP CHAMPIO BLING!

We love you!

Dad, Mom & Jake

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Year of the Ladycats

July 15, 2015