Class of 2026: Arkansas’ Top 5 DS/Liberos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arkansas' volleyball scene is brimming with exceptional talent, especially among liberos in the class of 2026. These defensive specialists exhibit remarkable agility and game awareness. Their contributions are pivotal to their teams' successes. In this article, we spotlight the top five liberos from Arkansas' class of 2026, highlighting their impressive skills and achievements.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["744606"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67942a7d46e8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='744606' first='Miranda' last='Leslie'] is undeniably one of the top liberos to emerge in Arkansas' volleyball history. This past school season, her dedication and mindset elevated her game, helping her team secure an impressive 11-4 record in conference play. Recognized for her efforts, Miranda earned All-State honors and a spot on the Natural State Sports Network All-Star Second Team, just behind a skilled Ole Miss commit. She led the state with 627 digs, averaging 5.8 per set. Her footwork, speed, and hustle proves how talented she is. Miranda also contributed 64 aces, 93 assists, and successfully handled over 700 serve receptions. She is a vocal leader with authentic enthusiasm. Miranda has all the qualities to land on any college's roster, and the capabilities to bring success to any team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ella Shelby","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Southside High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6797f6154a492"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ella Shelby, a junior libero for Fort Smith Southside High School, has demonstrated remarkable defensive prowess on the volleyball court. In the 2024 season, she achieved 585 digs, 76 assists, 20 aces, and 422 receptions, underscoring her quickness and consistency. Her exceptional low-level defense has been instrumental in the Mavericks' success. Shelby's outstanding performance earned her the title of Defensive Player of the Year, as reported by the River Valley Democrat-Gazette. Her contributions have solidified her reputation as a key player in Arkansas high school volleyball. Ella is certain to make a positive impact on any team's roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='748615' first='Avery' last='Sample']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Nettleton High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6797f6154a524"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='748615' first='Avery' last='Sample'], a libero from Nettleton, had an exceptional season, totaling 518 digs, 13 assists, 35 aces, and 583 receptions. Avery's defensive abilities made a significant impact on her team, consistently providing crucial digs to keep rallies alive. She was a strong presence in serve receive, accumulating over 500 receptions. Her serving also stood out, with 35 aces, demonstrating her ability to put pressure on the opponent. Avery's performance this season helped to anchor the defense of her high school. Avery is a solid athlete who is anticipated to improve any roster she is a part of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='749569' first='Adalynn' last='Bollinger']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bentonville High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6797f6154a5a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='749569' first='Adalynn' last='Bollinger'] from Bentonville had a standout season, recording 465 digs, 109 assists, 28 aces, and 418 receptions. Her ability to react quickly and adjust in intense moments helps her keep her team in control of key rallies. As a libero, Adalynn's determination and awareness on the court are key factors in her success. Whether it was handling tough serves or anchoring the defense, her contributions are consistently central to her team's overall performance. Adalynn's hustle and precise movements made her one of the top defenders in the State of Arkansas. She has the potential to </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Breanna Williamson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bryant High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6797f6154a617"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Breanna Williamson from Bryant has proven herself as one of the top liberos in Arkansas. With 458 digs, 119 assists, 24 aces, and 506 receptions, she consistently makes an impact on the court. Her ability to read plays quickly and anticipate the next move allows her to move with purpose, making each pass deliberate and effective. Breanna's focus on her fundamentals shines through in every match. Whether digging, passing, or contributing to her team's offense, she maintains a calm, controlled presence, always executing with precision. Breanna is definitely an athlete that college coaches should have on their radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->