The Magnificent Seven: Final Player of the Year Nominees

This will finish up the preview of the nominees. Now, not everyone that was sent in made the watch list, but I am going to leave a spot open because every year there seems to be a player come out of nowhere to steal the show. The lists are not in particular order, and as a reminder, here is what we are judging on:   Throughout the season, Prep Dig Arkansas will track player stats, performance trends, and big-game moments.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Consistent, high-level performance</li>   <li>Leadership and team impact</li>   <li>Strength of schedule and competition</li>   <li>Postseason success</li> </ul>   August 21st, the Full Watch List will be revealed on my instagram page. Here are the final group of nominees to the watch list.   Let's take a look:    One of the most dynamic middles in the entire state, [player_tooltip player_id='884840' first='Makylah' last='Davis'] looks to have a banner season for Central in 2026. Fresh off a club National Championship, Davis shined over the summer and will look to continue that momentum this fall for the Tigers. Last season for the Tigers she piled up 116 kills and 77 blocks. Look for those numbers to explode this season.   Davis has developed into a powerful offensive option who can put the ball straight down when she gets a good look. She runs as clean of a slide as any middle in the state. Defensively, her size and reach change what opposing hitters can do at the net. Even when she doesn't get the block, she forces attackers to find another way around her. Davis is quick to close out blocks and commands the front row when she is on the court.   The 6A Central is wide open for the taking, Central has the tools to challenge but they are going to need a big year from Davis.     [player_tooltip player_id='1004470' first='Claire' last='Schofield'] is one of those players who can do a little bit of everything, which makes her so valuable. . Last season she put down 302 kills while hitting .225 and also handed out 162 assists. If she improves on that, look for the Wolverines to have big year!   Claire has a strong arm but she hits with skill too. She can vary shots up to keep defenders on their toes. Called a "freak" by head coach Britney Davis, do to the fact that she has play anywhere on the court.   The 6A-West is a powerhouse of a conference. Coach Davis feels she has the team to compete and win. They are young with a lot of talented sophomores playing key roles, but they will look to Schofields experience to calm everyone down when things get crazy!     [player_tooltip player_id='747267' first='Preslie' last='Walker'] can flat-out play. She may not be the biggest outside on the court, but that hasn't stopped her from producing. Last season, Walker put down 317 kills while hitting .242, added 226 digs, 25 blocks, and 17 assists. She finds ways to get points, and she doesn't need everything to be perfect to do it.   What I like about Preslie is the way she competes. She plays bigger than her size, isn't afraid to challenge the block, and brings that same attitude to the back row. She can hammer a ball when it's there, but she's also smart enough to find open court instead of trying to win every point with power.   Walker has already shown she can carry a big offensive load. She is a big part of the Harmony Grove attack and they will need her production in the tough 4A-6 Region.     [player_tooltip player_id='1008480' first='Kate' last='Calhoon'] put together a big junior season for Valley View, finishing with 305 kills in 100 sets while hitting an impressive .357. I look for Valley View to be a challenger in the 5A-East and they will give teams fits.   Calhoon brings a lot of versatility to the Lady Blazers' front row. She can play all three spots, has a quick arm, and does a great job of finding different ways to score. I've watched her go against bigger blocks and it doesn't seem to bother her. She'll change the angle, find the seam, or just go right after them.   Now she's a senior, and Valley View will be counting on her even more. After 305 kills last season, I wouldn't be surprised to see that number climb. If the Lady Blazers are making a run to Hot Springs, expect Calhoon to be right in the middle of it and firmly in the Player of the Year conversation.     [player_tooltip player_id='744272' first='Catelyn' last='Edwards'] has been a big part of Hackett's success, and she enters this season with plenty of experience in big matches. She is a proven six-rotation player who can score from the pin, defend the back row, and provide the steady play you need when things get tight.   What I like about Catelyn is that she doesn't have to dominate one part of the game to make an impact. She is going to get her kills, but she also passes well, plays tough defense, and competes on every point. There isn't much reason to take her off the floor.   Hackett has the pieces to make another championship run, and Edwards will be a big reason for it. She's been there before and knows what it takes. If the Hornets are playing for another title late in the season, expect Catelyn to have a lot to do with it.     [player_tooltip player_id='1020026' first='Danielle' last='Lowery'] has waited her turn, learned from some really good players, and now the middle belongs to her. The Mansfield senior is coming off a strong season with 148 kills, 75 blocks, and 62 digs. Those 75 blocks jump off the page, but if you watch her play, you understand why. Danielle has great timing and doesn't just throw her hands up hoping something good happens.   Lowery spent the past couple of years learning from Kaylee Ward, and now it's her turn to be that veteran in the middle. Funny how that works. Young Bailey Hoover will be looking to Danielle for some of the same guidance she received from Ward. That's a pretty good cycle to have going at Mansfield. Danielle doesn't have to carry the offense, and with all the weapons Mansfield has coming back, she shouldn't have to. Give her a good ball and she can put it away. Let her control the net, score when needed, and help bring the younger players along. She's put in the time. Now the senior gets her chance to run the show in the middle.     [player_tooltip player_id='774294' first='Lily' last='Parker'] has plenty of weapons around her at Greenbrier, and her job is to make sure everyone gets fed. After handing out 652 assists last season, the junior returns with a year of experience running the Panthers' offense and a lineup that should give opposing defenses plenty to worry about.   Parker does a great job spreading the ball around and not allowing defenses to settle in on one hitter. With nearly the entire lineup returning, that connection should be even better this fall. Greenbrier has the firepower to give the 5A Central a lot of headaches, and Parker will be the one pulling the strings.    -Robert Birch, Lead Scout-Prep Dig Arkansas. 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)

This will finish up the preview of the nominees. Now, not everyone that was sent in made the watch list, but I am going to leave a spot open because every year there seems to be a player come out of nowhere to steal the show. The lists are not in particular order, and as a reminder, here is what we are judging on: