Sophomore Surge: Young playmakers looking to make an impact in 26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> This season, several sophomores will be stepping into varsity roles. While some had strong freshman seasons, others are just stepping onto the scene. I covered several young stars in mid-July who made a big impact this summer. You can see that article here: <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/07/prep-dig-arkansas-next-generation-team-class-of-2029/">https://prepdig.com/2026/07/prep-dig-arkansas-next-generation-team-class-of-2029/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='768346' first='Brinkley' last='Gigerich'], [player_tooltip player_id='771153' first='Beaux' last='Cameron'], [player_tooltip player_id='763687' first='Bristol' last='Bonanno'], [player_tooltip player_id='773932' first='Brynn' last='Bohannan'], [player_tooltip player_id='759051' first='Heelyn' last='Hanks'], [player_tooltip player_id='786631' first='Addison' last='Tharnish'], [player_tooltip player_id='889184' first='Harper' last='Davie'], [player_tooltip player_id='772494' first='Kassidy' last='Lucas'], [player_tooltip player_id='931278' first='Zoey' last='Throckmorton'], [player_tooltip player_id='774386' first='Remi' last='Rowan'], [player_tooltip player_id='847830' first='Shayn' last='Wickersham'], [player_tooltip player_id='875255' first='Avery' last='Carter'], and [player_tooltip player_id='756178' first='Hadley' last='Masters'] were all included in that article.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some more young stars from the Class of 2029 who I believe will make an impact during the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1017880,"_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-6a7cbf6d62ddf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year, [player_tooltip player_id='1017880' first='Bailey' last='Edwards'] played a key role in Hackett's state championship run. As a freshman, she played in 96 sets and finished with 103 kills, 162 digs, 40 aces, 32 assists, and 18 blocks. That's a little bit of everything, and look for her role to get even bigger in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwards held down the right side last season, but with two of Hackett's top offensive weapons graduating, she will be asked to produce more. She is athletic and aggressive, and with a full varsity season under her belt, I expect to see a jump in her hitting percentage. Defensively, Bailey has active hands at the net and a solid passing platform in the back row. She can play all three front-row spots and give the Hornets production wherever they need it. As she continues to grow as a player, you will here her name more and more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Edwards joining [player_tooltip player_id='744272' first='Catelyn' last='Edwards'](sister), [player_tooltip player_id='821349' first='Kali' last='Reather'], [player_tooltip player_id='839969' first='Ryleigh' last='Decker'], [player_tooltip player_id='839788' first='Eva' last='Thornburg'], and [player_tooltip player_id='800038' first='Abby' last='White'], Hackett certainly doesn't look like a team ready to hand over the trophy. The Hornets have plenty coming back to make another run at it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["907710"],"_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-6a7cd05beac38"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'2", [player_tooltip player_id='1008476' first='Arielle' last='Johnson'] has the size and power to take a big step for defending 4A state champion Pulaski Academy as the Bruins make their own big step into Class 5A. After a strong club season where Johnson gained valuable experience working as a six-rotation right side, she looks poised for a breakout year. Arielle was accidentally classified as a 2028 in the rankings, but she is a 2029 and one of the top players in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The key for Johnson in 2026 is growth. She has the size. She has the power. Now it's about fine-tuning the technical parts of her game that come with experience. Improved footwork, reading blockers better, and becoming more consistent with her shots could take her game into the stratosphere. Those are things every young hitter has to learn, especially when you can already swing it as hard as Johnson can.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PA lost some important pieces from last year's championship team but returns plenty of firepower with [player_tooltip player_id='761815' first='Elizabeth' last='Castillo'], [player_tooltip player_id='750226' first='Rachel' last='Ardoin'], and State Championship MVP [player_tooltip player_id='1013863' first='Sophie' last='Greenwood']. Johnson will have an opportunity to push for court time on one of the top 5A teams in the state. If the technical side starts catching up with the physical tools, look out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["999622"],"_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-6a7cd05beac8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='999622' first='Anna' last='Kate Davis'] recently transferred to Bentonville West for her sophomore season after logging serious varsity time as a freshman at Rogers. In 88 sets, she finished with 138 kills, fourth on the team, along with 101 digs, 18 blocks, and 17 aces. That's a lot of experience to have under your belt before your sophomore year even begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis will have to earn her stripes with a new team, but that varsity experience should help. She joins a talented sophomore group that includes Claire Hammond, Piper Stamps, Faith Baldridge, [player_tooltip player_id='1006134' first='Emma' last='Thompson'], and several others who give the Wolverines a very bright future. For this season, Hammond and Davis bring the most varsity experience of that group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anna Kate is a true six-rotation outside who is quick, athletic, and has a wide variety of shots. She is also a strong back-row player, which will be extremely important in the 6A West. Davis provides quality first-ball contact and keeps the offense in rhythm. There may be an adjustment period with a new team, but she has already proven she can produce at the varsity 6A level. Now we get to see what she can do with the Wolverines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1017936,"_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-6a7cd05beacc6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lilly will have an opportunity to earn the middle position alongside returning starter [player_tooltip player_id='821434' first='Kinlee' last='Crafton']. Gilbow will definitely add some size to the Brookland front row, where the average height is around 5'8". But don't mistake her for a big, lumbering six-footer. Lilly is extremely athletic and moves very well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was able to watch Brookland in a few different preseason matches, and Gilbow stood out. She is quick off the floor and comes out swinging. We got a glimpse of that last season when she was thrown into the fire as a freshman and made her first varsity start during the regional tournament. That's not exactly easing your way into varsity volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilbow isn't just an offensive option either. She has very good timing on her blocks, closes the seam well, and gets her hands on a lot of attacks, making life easier for the Bearcats' back-row defenders. For a young middle, she already has a nice variety of shots and doesn't rely on simply hitting straight down. Look for Gilbow to add another dimension to an already dynamic Brookland offense this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1017953"],"_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-6a7cda94bddd0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1017953' first='Micah' last='Unger'] got plenty of varsity experience as a freshman for Shiloh Christian, appearing in 119 sets and handing out 524 assists at 4.4 per set. She also added 49 aces and 145 digs. That's a pretty good workload for a freshman on one of the top 5A teams last season. She joined fellow freshman [player_tooltip player_id='763687' first='Bristol' last='Bonanno'] in the starting line up and both shined!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What stands out with Unger is the experience she already has running an offense at such a young age. Setters have to understand more than where the ball needs to go. They have to manage hitters, recognize matchups, communicate, and make decisions quickly when the first pass isn't perfect. Micah got a full season of learning those lessons against varsity competition. Now stepping into the 6A West, the toughest conference in the state, that experience should translate to a super sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["769541"],"_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-6a7cdd5734474"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Look out for the Pierce sisters this fall. Baptist Prep has a family one-two punch on the pins with senior outside [player_tooltip player_id='569563' first='Ellis' last='Pierce'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='769541' first='Anna' last='Pierce'] looking to provide plenty of offense for the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anna is an electric young hitter with a great shot selection and is already one of the smarter attackers I've watched in this class. She plays with tremendous energy, has a very quick arm, and is developing into a solid blocker at the net. What I like most is that she doesn't just swing hard. She reads what's in front of her and has enough shots in her bag to find different ways to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pierce has a chance to be the next in a long line of really good pin hitters at Baptist Prep. Getting meaningful varsity time this early gives her an opportunity to put up some pretty impressive career numbers before she's finished. It's hard not to notice Anna on the court. Her play gets your attention first, but the energy and attitude she brings only add to it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a ton of rising sophomores that belong on this list and I will be highlight more and more. Thank you to all the coaches that sent in players to me, I am getting them added in the database for the upcoming season and will continue to spotlight great players from around our great state!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Robert Birch, Lead Scout-Prep Dig Arkansas. Reach out to me at <a href="mailto:bdsrecruiting10@gmail.com"><strong>bdsrecruiting10@gmail.com</strong></a> or connect with me on <strong>X</strong> (@predigRob) and <strong>Instagram</strong>(@prepdigarrob)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->