Recruiting Surge: Six Arkansas Stars Make Their Choice

The recruiting momentum continues to grow in the Natural State! Over the passed few weeks, six more of the state's top prospects have announced their college commitments. Here is a closer look at the latest Arkansas standouts who have found their college homes.    One of the most versatile players in the 2028 class, [player_tooltip player_id='769825' first='Asa' last='Perry'] is heading west to Oregon State. The Bauxite standout and daughter to two former Razorback athletes, Perry is cutting her own path.   Asa now has a the title of National Champion forever after her name as a member of the [program_tooltip program_id='581540' first='501' last='Volley'] 16.1 USAV Liberty Division National Championship team. Her ability to impact the game in every rotation is an ability that not many have. It's that ability that caught the eye of many universities. According to her mom Blair Perry, "It's funny I was from the northwest and came to Arkansas (softball) and now she's from Arkansas heading to the northwest!" Asa has compiled 427 Kills, 361 assists, 319 digs, and 38 blocks, illustrating just how complete her game is. Perry was a 2025 team captain, 4A-5 All Conference, 4A All State, and 4A All-State Tournament Team as a sophomore.   From the Future Beaver: “I am extremely grateful and excited to have found a program that believes in me. It's a real blessing to be a part of the beaver nation!”     Recruiting can be a roller coaster sometimes. But what it really comes down to is the fit. Where do you feel at home. For one of the top setters in the 2027 class, she found that home. Originally committed to UALR, a coaching change allowed McDonald to open back up her recruiting since she didn't have a relationship with the new staff.   McDonald was productive in multiple roles for Bentonville last season, she totaled 91 kills, 50 total blocks and 19 digs. With two senior setters moving on, expect Avery's assist numbers to dramatically improve as she takes over the high powered Bentonville offense. She had the keys to offense for her Ozark Jrs 17 Premier team this season and led a fast-paced productive offense. Expect Bentonville to be in the 6A championship picture again this season.   From the Future Golden Sun: "I opened my recruiting back up when UALR got new coaches and the team changed so much! I am in the process of deciding where I am going to commit" (Prior to her commitment.) Happy Avery Jo found her home; Arkansas Tech is going to love her aggressive style of play and team first attitude.     Miss Do Everything, Kennedy is one of those players who can handle any role you hand her. If her team needs it, she will step up and handle it.   While many players specialize in one position, Baber has excelled as libero, defensive specialist and outside hitter, giving every team she plays for another option on both sides of the ball. That complete skill set helped make her one of Arkansas' top prospects in the class of 2028. She is aggressive but composed. She keeps in team in system with pinpoint passing and has the hands to set when needed.   A major contributor for Bentonville in her freshman and sophomore seasons, Baber has compiled 313 kills, 325 digs, 534 serve receptions, and 27 aces in 190 sets played. She is poised to lead Bentonville back to the state championship game this season. Baber is also a key piece of the 2026 Ozark Jrs 16 Premier team that made the gold bracket of the National Division at the USAV National Championships.   From the Future Hurricane: "Tulsa is such an incredible place for me to continue to grow and learn for many reasons, with something so special being the genuine love that exists in the Tulsa family. There are no individuals, everyone moves as a unit. The crew is able to hold each other to higher standards and compete at a higher level as a result of the immense levels of love and support that exists in the Tulsa locker room. It is incredible that I will get the opportunity to compete in such a culture rich environment!"     Electric is how I would explain Tristen. All you have to do is watch for a few minutes and you will see exactly what I mean. When contact is made...it sounds like an explosion.   Few players have been as productive as a freshman and a sophomore as Hamilton has. She has appeared in 199 sets, totaling 512 kills, 368 digs, 69 total blocks and 37 aces. Tristen has proven to be one of the most complete outside hitters in the state and she hasn't even hit her junior year yet!!   Her accomplishments extend well beyond the stat sheets. She was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All Prep Fresh/Soph Team, All State Honors, 8 times MaxPreps player of the game underscoring her ability to perform at a high level.   Along with Baber, Miller and Stallbaumer she competed this past club season with the Ozark Jrs 16 Premier squad.   From the Future Lion: “Success starts with the right fit. North Alabama gives me the opportunity to compete at a high level, grow as both a player and a person, and chase my goals alongside coaches and teammates who truly believe in me."     When the University of Arkansas secured the commitment from Caroline, the Hogs kept one of the state's premier front-row talents at home.   Her sophomore season she exploded on the scene and proved why she is so highly regarded. In 119 sets, Stallbaumer recorded 302 kills, hit an impressive .306, added 21 solo blocks and 75 total blocks, while earning 5A All-State, 5A West All-Conference, and All-State Tournament Team honors after leading Shiloh Christian to the state semifinals.   From the future Razorback: I am beyond grateful to be able to represent my state and play for the University of Arkansas!! I love the program and the people who make it so great!! Coach Watson, Coach Childs, and Coach Hogue have been AMAZING during this process and I can't wait to be a Razorback!!! WPS!!     Just as I was about to hit publish on this article, my phone dinged with another commitment! It was no surprise that the number one player in the Prep Dig class of 2028 lands at a top division one program. What can I say about [player_tooltip player_id='749906' first='Molly' last='Miller']? She is everything you want your setter to be.   Molly has established herself as one of the top playmakers in the country. Through her freshman and sophomore years, Miller amassed eye popping stats. 1,214 assists (6.1 Ast/S), 337 kills, 537 digs and 86 aces in 198 sets played. That is a career for most setters. For Miller, she is just getting started. She controls the game from the setter position. She can run quick-tempo with her middles, cross court sets to her outsides, precision back sets to her right-sides as well as defend the net and her setter dumps are a thing of beauty.   She is also a member of the Ozark Jrs 16 Premier squad that was the best in the state this season.   National recognition has followed her production. Miller has been named an AVCA Phenom, earned MaxPreps All-American honors, was selected to the Prep Dig Arkansas 15s Dream Team, and has consistently been recognized as one of the top players competing in Arkansas' largest classification.   From the Future Blue Devil: "Thank you to all of my coaches, teammates, family, and friends who constantly support me!!!"    There are more commits coming, the class of 2027 and 2028 aren't close to being finished. With players like London Jackson, [player_tooltip player_id='746203' first='Taylor' last='Wherry'], [player_tooltip player_id='762345' first='Jaycee' last='Bossert'], [player_tooltip player_id='747267' first='Preslie' last='Walker'], [player_tooltip player_id='752239' first='Faith' last='Fulfer'], [player_tooltip player_id='749911' first='Avah' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='769420' first='Leighton' last='Cross'] and many more still on the board, expect more and more commitments soon. 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.

The recruiting momentum continues to grow in the Natural State! Over the passed few weeks, six more of the state's top prospects have announced their college commitments. Here is a closer look at the latest Arkansas standouts who have found their college homes.