Local volleyball teams open season next week

The last time Alley Edwards took part in a Berryville High School sporting event, she was wearing a Batesville Lady Pioneers jersey and helping break hearts in Carroll County.

But now, Edwards is all in for the Lady Bobcats. She’ll make debut as Berryville’s head volleyball coach on Tuesday, Aug. 19, when the Lady Bobcats open the 2025 season against Thaden in Bentonville.

Edwards was a senior on the Batesville High School team that beat Berryville 76-70 in the championship game of the 2019 Class 4A state basketball tournament at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs. She went on to play basketball and volleyball at Lyon College in Batesville, where she earned all-conference honors in volleyball.

After graduation, Edwards was head volleyball coach at Newport High School for two seasons before making the move to Berryville.

As the Lady Bobcats prepare to open the season, Edwards said she’s been pleased with her team’s effort.

“Things are looking really good,” she said. “We’ve been working hard all summer. We went to a few team camps this summer and won some good games. So we’re very excited about the upcoming season.”

Edwards, who takes over after longtime Lady Bobcats coach Kristin Whetham became head coach and athletic director at Green Forest, said Berryville’s seniors have set the tone in the preseason.

“I think everybody’s doing really well, but Hannah Campbell and Tessa Johnson, Haliegh Keith, just to name a few seniors, are really showing that they’re really working hard,” Edwards said. “Same with Cara Summers and Chaney Fairweather.”

Edwards said the Lady Bobcats will make defense a priority, but they won’t be shy offensively.

“I definitely think we’re going to be a lot more aggressive than we have been in the past,” she said.

The Lady Bobcats will open conference play on Tuesday, Aug. 26, when they host Pea Ridge.