Prep Dig Arkansas Next Generation Team: Class of 2029

We are heading into the High School Season we have a lot of new players on the board to evaluate. While I am finishing up the rankings, here is a look at my inaugural 2029 "Dream Team". Using a college roster size, here is who I have picked to kick off the season. The class of 2029 has added 42 players to the database. Some I have added when watching and evaluating players. These are not the rankings mind you, this is a team I would assemble to go run through a tournament with!    You have to start with a setter. If you haven't seen Harper play yet you are missing out. She is another dynamic setter in the Ozark Juniors program. Expect her to make a big impact this season for Shiloh as well. She has the size colleges look for in 5-1 offense. Davie can terminate from the pin just as well as she can set. Setting, she runs a high tempo style, and her ball placement is excellent. Harper will look to add on to her strong freshman campaign after playing in 110 sets with 187 kills, 43 total blocks, 64 digs, 12 assists and 7 aces while mostly playing from the pins.     Brinkley is a power pin. Plain and simple, but over the summer she has added some finesse to her game. Watching Brinkley in person you would never guess that she is just a sophomore. Over the summer she transitioned to mainly and outside and is one of the most dominate hitters in the state. Gigerich is already making colleges stand up and take notice. She can control the net from all three front row spots with ease. Brinkley will be playing for the Bryant Hornets this fall and expectations have risen for the 6A Central team. With a good mix of youth and experience, Bryant is going to be a fun team to watch under new coach Paige Ganter.     Cameron is an elite flyer. She is a true six rotation pin. Beaux has an incredible explosion off the floor that she takes advantage of on both offense and defense. She often beats hitters to the spot and is waiting to shut them down. On offense she has the whole bag of tricks. Line, cross, deep, off hands, rolls, you name it, she has it. Last season for Har-Ber she stepped in as a freshman and played 101 sets, had 288 kills, hit .264, 21 total blocks, 70 digs and 8 aces. Look for those numbers to rise this season with the added strength training she's been putting in.     Athlete. Two sport star [player_tooltip player_id='759051' first='Heelyn' last='Hanks'] is one of the best overall athletes in the 2029 class. Whether she is on the volleyball court or the basketball court, you can't take your eyes off her. Expect Hanks to be a major contributor this season. She gained a little in size, now 5'10" and a lot in ability over the summer season. She has some competition ahead of her at Little Rock Christian, but this sophomore will find her way on the court. She's just too talented. Learning from vets like Piper Andersonn and [player_tooltip player_id='846157' first='Sadie' last='Costello'], Hanks will continue to grow and will be a force the next three years. Don't believe me, just go check out her film from this summer.     Undersized? Maybe. Incredible leaper? Definitely. Kassidy wowed coaches across the country this year with her performances with her EVA 15 Elite team. Her ability at the net is unrivaled. But is a season of change ahead as her dad was named the head football coach at Fayetteville High School? I doubt there is any challenge that bothers her. She's a fierce competitor and a great teammate. She will be missed in central Arkansas, but northwest Arkansas is getting a gem. Lucas will compete at a high level no matter where she is. She held the number one position for middles this past season. I don't see any way that changes.     At 6'3" you won't find many 15 year olds that size. After a strong freshman campaign with 102 sets played, 181 kills, 63 total blocks and 31 digs, I suspect this right-side will show out more is fall. She was second in blocks and hitting percentage and fourth in kills for the 22-9-1 Mavericks. Addison possesses a skill that makes her a must on a team like this, versatility. She gives you the flexibility to match up against bigger teams at middle or to keep her on the right-side. College coaches love that as well.     Brynn is one of the smartest players in the state, regardless of age. Her family knows a little bit about volleyball; big sister Laci is a senior at Arkansas after a record setting career at UCA. I have had the privilege of watching her since she was 11 and she always played up a level in club. She is joining her EVA teammate [player_tooltip player_id='768346' first='Brinkley' last='Gigerich'] at Bryant this year to boost the Hornets lineup.   What stands out immediately is Brynn's court leadership. She communicates well, takes ownership of the offense, and shows a mature understanding of how to manage a match. Defensively, Brynn brings strong value as a DS and libero-type player. She reads hitters well, reacts quickly, and consistently puts herself in the right position. Brynn's all-around skill set, competitiveness, and composure give her the profile of a true college-track setter who can also contribute in serve receive and defensive systems. As she continues to gain experience against older and stronger competition, her impact and recruiting ceiling will continue to rise.     As freshman standout, Bonanno caught my eye during the state tournament. She put up incredible numbers for a freshman on a very good Shiloh team. in 119 sets played she averaged 5.3 digs per set, 627 digs, 792 serve receptions, 43 aces and even had 4 kills. Did I mention she was a freshman on a top 5A team?   The 5'4" dynamo will once again be stalking the back row for Shiloh after an impressive club season with Ozark Jrs. Another player with volleyball running through her veins, her mom Denise is a highly respected coach and sister Bella was a pretty good libero too (Ole Miss). But Bristol is not playing in the shadows of her family, her game stands on its own. She is one of a kind.     There are great players all over the state. Not just in central and northwest Arkansas. [player_tooltip player_id='931278' first='Zoey' last='Throckmorton'] is showing out from the Mt Home area. Playing for 417, the 15 year old stepped in and impressed with their 17 elite team when one of their players was unable to play. She not only hung in there, she controlled the back-row. She has a strong platform and always seems to be in the right spot. I watched her compete at a couple of camps earlier this summer and she had no problem competing with some of the best 2028 and 2027's in the state.     Prep Dig lead scout Amy VanGuilder said it best, "With younger setters, I don't usually throw around the word “consistent” too often when I'm scouting. But after watching Rowan, it really does fit for her. She is already steady with her location." Rowan has the size and athletic ability that coaches love to see in a setter. She adds versatility to this group and can challenge any setter in the class for the top spot. She had a standout club season for EVA and expect to see that carry over into her sophomore year at LR Christian Academy.     Another new addition to the class of 2029 on Prep Dig, Shayn made the trek this club season to form an airtight back-row with [player_tooltip player_id='763687' first='Bristol' last='Bonanno']. With the two of them patrolling I am surprised that the ball ever hit the ground. Wickersham is known for tracking down errant shots and keeping her team in the point. Her aggressive style rubs off on teammates, and her effort is never lacking. Mountain Home should have much to worry about with Shayn and Zoey covering the backend of the court this fall. Both are relentless defenders.     Another new back-row addition is [player_tooltip player_id='875255' first='Avery' last='Carter'] who had a great club season with Memphis Metro. She is an ultra quick libero/DS that can go get it with the best of them. She is a workout warrior who's regiment is more like a college player than a sophomore in high school. With a strong platform and high volleyball IQ this Westside Warrior will be fun to watch this fall.     I've gotten to watch Hadley at several tournaments and camps this year. She is a raw, talented player that is just going to keep getting better and better. Masters has a very good reach and is a long rangey middle standing at a legit 5'11". She possesses the length needed to play middle but can also hit well from the pin positions. She needs to add some strength and will as she is a hard worker. Will she crack the lineup for Cabot this year? It is entirely possible. She will be a contributor to a very talented Cabot squad that is looking to repeat in the 6A central.     Sophie is a rising star at Mount St Mary's and [program_tooltip program_id='581540' first='501' last='Volley']. She has the ability to be a true six rotation outside, although with teammate, junior, [player_tooltip player_id='746203' first='Taylor' last='Wherry'] manning that role, Goforth will be called upon in a number of ways. She can play all three front row spots and can really mix it up at the net on defense and could provide back-row support with the ability to hit from the back. It will be interesting to see how she is utilized for the Mount this year. Mount St Mary's lost a lot from their 21-3 (15-0 5A Central) squad, look for Goforth to fill in the void.     I was able to catch Emma at a camp this year and all I can say is WOW. She jumps off film like she jumps off the floor. Watching her in the camp, you would have thought she was a 2027 with an incredibly well rounded game. She hits from both pins with power and precision and does a great job manning the middle. She's quick off the floor, anticipates well and really understands the game. With the loss of five seniors, it will would be easy to see Thompson getting in the mix.    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.

We are heading into the High School Season we have a lot of new players on the board to evaluate. While I am finishing up the rankings, here is a look at my inaugural 2029 "Dream Team". Using a college roster size, here is who I have picked to kick off the season. The class of 2029 has added 42 players to the database. Some I have added when watching and evaluating players. These are not the rankings mind you, this is a team I would assemble to go run through a tournament with!