BEARCAT VOLLEYBALL ON MOVE TO 3A-5

Finalizing a 2024 schedule for Bearcat volleyball has been on hold for head coach Bailey Stringer.

She was awaiting a pending decision by the Arkansas Activities Association on whether to create more conferences and the possible addition of a round of regional play for teams to reach state tournaments.

That decision was reached today with the Bearcat program assigned to the 3A-5.

One of the now six Class 3A conferences the 3A-5 will also include Atkins, Conway Christian, Dover, Lamar, Mayflower, Paris, and Perryville.

There are a total of 44 volleyball playing schools in Class 3A with three conferences having eight schools, two having seven, and one having six.

As is the case for basketball, baseball, and softball already, after regular season play a conference tournament will be held to determine the four teams earning regional berths.

Bearcat athletic director Josh Walker is all for the move.

“I think it's a good thing, “Walker said. “I like having a regional tournament. We do it in basketball, baseball and softball, why wouldn't we for volleyball?”

As is the also case with the other sports the a regional tournament will pair those four with four from another conference, which, in the case of 3A-5 volleyball, will be the 3A-1.

Conference 3A-1 will consist of a grouping of Charleston, Elkins, Lavaca, Lincoln, Mansfield, Providence Academy, Thaden, and West Fork, half of which were Bearcat conference opponents last season.

State tournament participation will then be determined by the regional tournament.