The Names Keep Coming: More Sophomores to Watch

We have finally reached the last stop in our look at the Class of 2029. I say "finally" because every time I thought I had this series wrapped up, another coach sent me a name I needed to see. That's a good problem to have.   This class has a little bit of everything. What has impressed me most is just how deep the talent goes across the state. Big schools, small schools, every position—you can find talented sophomores everywhere. I'm sure I haven't found them all, and that's okay. Part of my job is continuing to look. But for now, here is one final group of 2029s to keep an eye on as the 2026 season gets underway.    Claire gained valuable experience for the Wolverines last season as a freshman, finishing fifth on the team with 92 kills in 94 sets. Bentonville West brings back some top talent, but don't be surprised if several sophomores play important roles this fall. Hammond is one of those young players who already has a full varsity season under her belt.   Last season, Claire stepped in at middle, giving her a lot of experience working at the net against 6A competition. This season, she should get the opportunity to move to the right side and play alongside her older sister, [player_tooltip player_id='836585' first='Noelle' last='Hammond'], who returns after a hand injury limited her to just 37 sets last year. With Noelle in the middle and Claire on the right, that's a pretty powerful block for opposing hitters to deal with.   The younger Hammond should provide plenty of offense as well. She has good size, a strong arm, and already understands what it takes to compete at the varsity level. That freshman experience should allow her to play with a lot more confidence this season. Bentonville West has an impressive group of young players coming up, and Hammond has all the tools to be a big part of that group for the next three years.     I have had the good fortune to catch Lyla several times in club ball playing for 501. She is an energetic player with an extremely high IQ. I have had an up close look at the all out effort she gives as she almost slide into me while going for a ball.   Aukes is extremely competitive but maintains her composure well when the match gets tight. She consistently makes the right choice on her sets and delivers a very hittable ball to her attackers. The mascot name, The Jackrabbits, fits her perfectly on the court. But with all that goes on around her, she stays focused and leads the offense with precision and quickness. She is a dependable floor leader and a 2029 to keep a sharp eye on.     Baxley is on the move! The former [program_tooltip program_id='755223' first='Elite' last='Volleyball Academy'] and Benton player has headed up to Northwest Arkansas. After studying film and seeing her in person, Barbaree is a solid young six-rotation outside who gives Har-Ber another talented piece for the future.   As she continues to develop, look for Baxley and fellow sophomore hitters Laura Matthews and [player_tooltip player_id='771153' first='Beaux' last='Cameron'] to give the Wildcats a strong foundation moving forward. Cameron is back for her second season as a varsity outside,while Matthews and Barbaree may be leading the JV this season. That doesn't diminish their roles on this team. A varsity call-up can happen at any time, and Baxley will be ready when her opportunity comes. For young players, it's all about experience and development. Barbaree has a strong swing from either pin, gets her hands in good position to block, has a solid passing platform, and brings a really good serve. There is a lot to work with, and when her time comes, I expect Baxley to be ready.     [player_tooltip player_id='894984' first='Hailey' last='Trujillo'] is a name not many have heard yet coming out of White Hall. Expect that to change over the next few seasons.   A quick, sideline-to-sideline libero, Hailey has the ability to keep her team in system with solid first-ball contact. She reads hitters well and has a knack for getting herself into the right position before the ball gets there. I was able to watch her some during club season, and I'm excited to see how her game develops at the high school level. Trujillo has the ability to contribute to the Bulldogs this season, but she may still be a year away from taking on a bigger role. Either way, she's a young player worth remembering because I don't think White Hall will be able to keep her a secret for long.     Elin is another talented sophomore who should see the floor for Bentonville West this season. The 5'8" setter/pin has good hands, strong ball placement, and plays with a high volleyball IQ. The Wolverines have plenty of young talent, and Neal gives them another quality option to run the offense.   I was able to watch Elin with her Ozark Juniors team during the Delta Regional, and she does a nice job of putting her hitters in good positions. She doesn't try to do too much with the ball and understands where it needs to go. For a young setter, she already has a good feel for running an offense and stays composed when things get a little hectic.   Neal also brings more to the court than just setting. She can hit from the pins, plays solid defense, and is a very good passer. That versatility gives Bentonville West plenty of options with her on the floor. She may be listed as a setter, but Elin is simply a good all-around volleyball player who can help the Wolverines in a lot of different ways.    Did I get all of the super sophomores in the state, not by a long shot. But I will keep digging and continue to grow our base. This closes out our preseason sophomore spotlight (for now!) here at Prep Dig Arkansas. 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!   -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)

We have finally reached the last stop in our look at the Class of 2029. I say "finally" because every time I thought I had this series wrapped up, another coach sent me a name I needed to see. That's a good problem to have.