Arkansas’ Class of 2027 Rankings: The Next Wave

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2027 is officially stepping out of the shadows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What once felt like a “young class” is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing groups in the state. This is the class that's athletic, competitive, and fearless. The Class of 2027 is filled with D1 athletes, college-bound players, team leaders, and great people. Several names deserve all the hype like [player_tooltip player_id='839946' first='Emmerson' last='Rehkopf'], [player_tooltip player_id='749837' first='Evelyn' last='Venters'], and [player_tooltip player_id='828474' first='Erika' last='Ellis']. This article will touch on THREE players who landed in the Top 10 after being on the watchlist for the past season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["859443"],"_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-6978384a62e00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='859443' first='Ava' last='Beasley'] continues a strong volleyball family legacy at Paragould, following in the footsteps of her older sisters Zoey and Taylor Beasley, both former standout players at Paragould and Division 1 Southeast Missouri State University. Despite missing much of her sophomore season due to injury, Beasley has already totaled 1,124 career kills, including 569 as a junior and 452 as a freshman, while still adding 103 kills in her shortened sophomore year. She has also recorded 837 digs, 389 assists, and 88 aces, maintaining a .255 hitting percentage, and remains one of the most productive all-around attackers in the Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749840"],"_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-6978384a62e7b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='809961' first='Kendall' last='Brown'] was a key piece of Marion's 2025 5A State Championship run and has quickly established herself as one of the top outsides in Arkansas. As a junior, she recorded 938 kills with a .284 hitting percentage, along with 187 total blocks and 317 digs. Brown has a huge vertical and fast, strong arm swing, paired with a high volleyball IQ and an energetic presence on the court. Brown deserves much more recognition and hype for her athleticism, playing ability, and future potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["750653"],"_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-6978384a62eda"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='750653' first='Avery' last='Jo McDonald'] is a 6'0 setter committed to UALR who continues to establish herself as one of the top playmakers in the Class of 2027. Despite having two senior setters in front of her at Bentonville, McDonald has taken over on the club circuit with Ozark Juniors 17 Premier, running a fast-tempo offense with consistent and accurate location. She plays with a high volleyball IQ and strong hands, and controls the game well at the setter position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Hannah Hankins, Prep Dig Arkansas Lead Scout, @prepdighannah on IG/X. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->