Camp Digest:Benton Team Camp

Teams: Bauxite │ Benton │ Brookland │ Bryant │ Central │ Episcopal │ Greenbrier │ Mayflower │ Paris │ Paragould │ Russellville │ Clarksville │ Valley View   Benton was the place to be the past two days as programs from Bauxite, Benton, Brookland, Bryant, Central, Episcopal, Greenbrier, Mayflower, Paris, Paragould, Russellville, Clarksville, and Valley View took the court for a full day of competitive volleyball. I had the opportunity to spend some time in the gym evaluating talent, catching up with coaches, and getting an early look at several players who could make an impact this fall.   Camps are always tough to pick out who is who since most are in practice shirts, but I was able to figure out some who's who. Some I am waiting on feedback from the coaches so I make sure and give the proper credit! There was plenty to take away from today's action, so let's get right to it. There are so many players to cover I am going to split this over two articles.    There isn't a player who is more important to her team's success than [player_tooltip player_id='769825' first='Asa' last='Perry'] is to Bauxite. That isn't a reflection of the Lady Miners lacking talent—it's simply because players like Asa are nearly impossible to replace. She could step into any position on the court and never miss a beat. The Oregon State commit is, in my opinion, the best overall athlete in Arkansas volleyball. She is a workout warrior with a tremendous understanding of the game and an unmatched competitive drive. She is one of the state's top setters, attacks from either pin like one of its best hitters, plays elite-level defense, and embraces every challenge the game presents.   Volleyball is the ultimate team sport, and no single player can win matches alone. What Asa does better than almost anyone is elevate everyone around her. She raises the level of her teammates simply by the way she competes.   The play that best illustrated her mentality came on the second day of camp. She repeatedly dove across the floor to keep rallies alive. She didn't have to. It was preseason, and most players are thinking about staying healthy. But that's not how Perry is wired. When the whistle blows, she plays every point at full speed, exactly the way the game is meant to be played.   If I were building a team today, [player_tooltip player_id='769825' first='Asa' last='Perry'] would be the first player I'd call.     Right off the bat, one freshman caught my eye—[player_tooltip player_id='782057' first='Caroline' last='Stearns'] from Benton. The 5'11" setter/pin had a strong day while splitting time at outside hitter and S/RS. Stearns generated power from both pins and showed excellent athleticism and body control while tracking down balls to keep her team in system. Even playing with the freshman squad, she looked every bit the part of a future impact player. Her sets were crisp, and she established good rhythm and connection with most of her hitters throughout the day. With her size, versatility, and natural feel for the game, Stearns has a very bright future ahead of her for Coach White and the Panthers.     It's hard not to enjoy watching Bella play. She is a true leader on the court for Benton and serves as the Panthers' steadying force. As the team's returning leader in kills and digs, while also ranking second in serve receive, Gonzalez impacts every phase of the game. Offensively, she has a complete arsenal. She can turn her wrist to hit a sharp cross-court angle, power through the block, attack the line, or use a well-timed tip to keep defenders off balance. Her value extends well beyond the front row, as she is equally effective as a back-row defender and passer. Benton returns a significant amount of offensive production while adding talented younger players to the lineup. With Gonzalez leading the way, the Panthers appear poised for another strong season.     Stepping into a larger role in the middle for the Panthers is [player_tooltip player_id='1010880' first='Lynley' last='Woolbright']. Last season, she ranked second on the team in blocks behind senior Sahara Stamps. This year, Woolbright will be counted on to anchor the net defensively and lead the charge in the middle. She is an imposing presence at the net, using her size and timing to disrupt opposing attacks. Coach White will also be looking for Lynley to become a bigger offensive contributor, and if this camp was any indication, she has made noticeable strides in that area. She should provide Benton with a dependable presence in the middle, and if she can improve her hitting percentage this fall, the Panthers will be a very difficult team to beat.     Kaitlyn showed why she is considered one of the top sophomores in the state. While White is still a work in progress, she already plays well beyond her years. She has the physical tools to be successful and demonstrated the ability to attack a variety of shots from different angles. Kaitlyn is going to play an important role for Benton this season, and I expect it to be a significant one. She appears ready for the challenge of playing outside hitter in the rugged 5A Central Conference.     Shaw caught my eye as I was walking to another court. She was attacking with tremendous power and put down several kills in a row. Taleh possesses excellent leaping ability and showed the versatility to attack multiple zones on the court. When she gets behind the ball, she can really drive it with authority. She put together two strong days of play while seeing time on both pins. Bryant is looking for another outside hitter to emerge this season along with [player_tooltip player_id='768346' first='Brinkley' last='Gigerich'], and while they have several strong options, no one flashed quite like Taleh did. She has the athleticism and offensive upside to make a significant impact for the Hornets this fall.     Taylor looked every bit the veteran that she is. She commanded the middle, directed traffic at the net, and provided a steady presence throughout both matches. Lease has a terrific serve and recorded several impressive blocks while I was watching. On Day 2, she really opened up her offensive game, hammering attacks to multiple areas of the court. She scored on slides, attacked effectively from the right side, drove balls straight down, and showed the touch to finesse shots when the situation called for it. Her experience and composure will be a tremendous asset for Coach Ganter, especially considering the familiarity they've built together during club season. Bryant has an abundance of front-row options this year, giving the Hornets the flexibility to match up with both size and speed against a variety of opponents.     A new addition for Bryant, Bohannan showed a strong command of the offense and quickly established a great connection with her hitters. She is a feisty competitor who is constantly chasing down loose balls, blocking, and running the offense with confidence. For only being a sophomore, she displays a high volleyball IQ and outstanding court awareness. One of the most enjoyable parts of watching her play is that she smiles after nearly every set. She genuinely loves the game, and that passion shows in the way she competes. She should prove to be a tremendous asset for the Hornets this season.     I'm not sure there is a more powerful player in the state of Arkansas than [player_tooltip player_id='768346' first='Brinkley' last='Gigerich']. She is still raw in some areas, but she is already performing well beyond her age. As part of a revamped Bryant roster, Gigerich is working hard to become a true six-rotation outside hitter.   Everyone already knows she can hit and block. What impressed me most at camp was her growth as a passer. She moved exceptionally well to the ball, consistently created a solid platform, and delivered quality first-ball contact. She's still learning that life in the back row is more about control, stability, and reading the game than simply overpowering opponents, but she's making rapid progress. Brinkley isn't just about power in the front row—although, let's be honest, a lot of it is about power. She's beginning to develop a much more complete offensive game by expanding her shot selection and doing a better job of reading the defense. Central Arkansas should enjoy the next three years because I have a feeling Gigerich is going to put together a special career and may rewrite a few record books along the way.     This was the first time I had the opportunity to watch the entire Brookland team, and they didn't disappoint. They are a well-rounded group with multiple offensive weapons, one of them being [player_tooltip player_id='806194' first='Kinley' last='Hammett']. I had previously reported on her after seeing her at a college camp, but this was my first opportunity to watch her compete alongside her teammates. That setting revealed another side of her game. She communicates exceptionally well, plays with a high motor, and moves laterally with quickness, making her an effective blocker. Offensively, she has excellent timing, attacks a variety of zones on the court, and is a legitimate back-row threat. She also possesses a strong, aggressive serve, giving her the tools to be a true six-rotation player.     Schuermann is a very active back-row defender for the Bearcats. She was all over the court, digging up hard-driven attacks, keeping her team in system, and stepping in to set when needed. Lexie is the type of player who frustrates opposing hitters because balls they expect to score often come right back over the net. Her relentless motor and ability to extend rallies are what separate good back-row players from great ones. She consistently gives her team another opportunity to score by refusing to let plays end easily.     Joining Hammett on the outside for Brookland is [player_tooltip player_id='1008021' first='Lynley' last='Seyler'], the Bearcats' leading scorer from last season with 326 kills and 72 aces. At times, it's hard to tell the two apart. Both are fierce competitors at the net who never shy away from bigger blockers. Seyler relies on her speed, quick arm swing, and athleticism to create scoring opportunities against opposing defenses. She is equally valuable in the back row, finishing second on the team in digs behind Hammett while leading Brookland in serve receive. Seyler is a reliable six-rotation weapon whose explosiveness and leaping ability make her a constant offensive threat. With both she and Hammett rarely leaving the court, Brookland has two players capable of frustrating opponents throughout an entire match.     One of the most impressive players I watched all week was 2029 outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='1008023' first='Tristyn' last='Moseley']. I hadn't ranked her yet because I simply hadn't had the opportunity to evaluate her in person. That changed quickly. She didn't just look impressive—she did it against very good competition.   Moseley reads defenders as well as just about any player I've evaluated. At camps, it can sometimes be difficult to identify players since most teams are wearing practice shirts instead of game jerseys. I knew exactly who Moseley was almost immediately. The first attack I saw was a perfectly placed line shot against a pair of bigger blockers, and from that point on she continued to impress.   After posting 431 kills, 335 digs, and 37 aces as a freshman, expect even bigger numbers this season. If Greenbrier gets consistent production from its middle blockers, watch out. Moseley has all the tools to lead another dangerous attack and is a player who should be firmly on everyone's radar.     On Day 2, I had the opportunity to watch Valley View for the first time. Over the years, the Blazers have consistently fielded quality teams, and this year's group appears to be no exception. [player_tooltip player_id='1008480' first='Kate' last='Calhoon'] returns for her senior season after leading the team with 305 kills while hitting .357 as a junior.   Calhoon showcased a quick, powerful arm swing and the ability to score with a variety of shots, even against bigger front lines. She delivered several "wow" swings throughout the day and consistently found ways to terminate. I wouldn't be surprised to see her climb the rankings as the season progresses. What I like most about her game is her versatility. She has the ability to play all three front-row positions, giving Valley View tremendous flexibility. She is also a strong blocker and defender at the net, making her a complete front-row player who should provide tremendous value for the Blazers this season.     If you want to talk about a quick-twitch athlete, let's talk about [player_tooltip player_id='807048' first='Peyton' last='Prater']. This lightning-fast outside hitter was all over the court for Valley View. She is an explosive attacker and a very dependable back-row player for the Lady Blazers. Peyton consistently presents a solid platform in serve receive and defense, delivering perfect passes that allow her setters to run the offense efficiently. She is coming off of a difficult knee injury that happened in March of 2025. She is back and healthy now ready to contribute at a high level.   She has the skill set to be one of the state's top defensive specialists if that were her primary role, but her offensive ability will keep her in the front row for the season ahead. Prater has every shot in her arsenal and the speed to execute them effectively. What impressed me most was her ability to read defenders. She recognizes openings before they develop and consistently places the ball where the defense isn't, making her a difficult player to slow down.     [player_tooltip player_id='1010951' first='Meredith' last='Supine'] will be counted on to control the net for Valley View this season following the graduation of Bonnie Fagan. After recording 99 kills and 18 blocks last year, she looks poised to take on an even bigger role for the Lady Blazers.   At camp, Supine impressed with her ability to find open areas in the defense while also making her presence felt at the net as a blocker. She anticipated well, closed seams effectively, and stuffed several attacks throughout the day. If she continues on her current trajectory, Supine will provide Valley View with stability in the middle and become a strong force at the net. Her development should also take pressure off the outside hitters by giving the Blazers another reliable front-row scoring option.    Tomorrow's coverage will include Little Rock Central, Russellville, Paragould, and Episcopal as well as more players from Bauxite, Benton and Greenbrier. I was unable to watch a few of the other teams. We will continue to grow our database and be inclusive of players from all around the state. If you know a player that deserved to be highlighted, I'd love to hear about them. Reach out to me at <a href="mailto:bdsrecruiting10@gmail.com">bdsrecruiting10@gmail.com</a> or connect with me on X (predigRob) and Instagram(@prepdigarrob). Let's continue showcasing the incredible talent Arkansas volleyball has to offer.

Teams: Bauxite │ Benton │ Brookland │ Bryant │ Central │ Episcopal │ Greenbrier │ Mayflower │ Paris │ Paragould │ Russellville │ Clarksville │ Valley View