A Week Full of Big Games, Big Plays and Milestones

There was a lot going on across Arkansas volleyball this week. Big-time matchups, tournament wins, huge individual performances, college commitments and a couple of career milestones worth celebrating.   Fayetteville put together one of its biggest weeks of the season, including wins over Bentonville and Bentonville West before heading to Missouri and winning the Lori Endicott Invitational. [player_tooltip player_id='890979' first='Jalliyah' last='Freeman-Rhone'] turned in a monster performance of her own, while Valley View has had a big 14 game win streak where they have only dropped one set!   The recruiting trail stayed busy as more Arkansas players announced their college commitments, and [player_tooltip player_id='769825' first='Asa' last='Perry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1046053' first='Reagan' last='Cowart'] reached milestones that deserve to be recognized.      Fayetteville Takes Care of Business   Fayetteville had a big week, taking on Bentonville and Bentonville West and coming away with two impressive wins. The Bulldogs survived a five-set battle with the Tigers in the Prep Dig Game of the Week, then followed it up with a 3-1 win over the Wolverines. Basically, Fayetteville took on the city of Bentonville's best and came out on top.   [player_tooltip player_id='749911' first='Avah' last='Brown'] led the way with a monster week from the right side. Against Bentonville, Brown put down 24 kills on 48 attempts with just 3 errors. She followed that with 17 kills on 32 attempts with 5 errors against Bentonville West. That's 41 kills in nine sets against two of the better teams in 6A.   Of course, somebody has to get the hitters the ball, and [player_tooltip player_id='749906' first='Molly' last='Miller'] continued to guide a dominant Bulldog attack. Miller handed out 49 assists in five sets against Bentonville and another 38 in four sets against Bentonville West. She also added 9 kills over the two matches.   And Fayetteville wasn't finished. The Bulldogs traveled to Missouri over the weekend and won the 2026 Lori Endicott Invitational, putting the finishing touches on an impressive week.   A huge rematch is on the schedule Tuesday at home vs the only team to defeat Fayetteville this season, the Har-Ber Wildcats.     You've heard of a double-double. MJ messed around and got a triple-double(it was a good day). But rarely do you hear about a quadruple-double.   This week was one of those rare occasions. In fact, it was the first quadruple-double in Northside history.   [player_tooltip player_id='890979' first='Jalliyah' last='Freeman-Rhone'] finished with 25 kills, 24 assists, 14 digs and 10 blocks in Northside's five-set thriller over Rogers. Any one of those numbers would make for a solid night for most players. Putting up all four in the same match? Unheard of!   Coach Matthew Waack has been bragging about his junior right side since workouts began. At an earlier playday in Conway, he told me to watch out because either of his right sides could turn around and set. He called Freeman-Rhone a special athlete and a relentless worker. That's what it takes to have a night like this.   And this wasn't a fluke. Jalliyah leads the Lady Bears with 3.3 kills per set while hitting .333. She has also had eight matches with double-digit assists, but nothing quite like what she did against Rogers.   Northside completed a 2-0 conference week before heading to Carl Junction, Missouri, for the Four States Classic. The Lady Bears faced teams from across the Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and put together a strong 3-2 showing.   Monster Game: 25 kills | 24 assists | 14 digs | 10 blocks   Season Stats: 67 sets | 222 kills | 3.3 kills/set | .333 hitting | 30 aces | 61 blocks | 46 solo blocks | 138 digs | 194 assists | 44 serve receptions     Valley Views Big Week.   Every once in a while, I will get a piece of advice from a coach, a parent or another writer. But today, I got some unsolicited advice from [player_tooltip player_id='1008480' first='Kate' last='Calhoon']. She sent me a DM on Instagram that said, “Game of the Week should be Marion and Valley View tomorrow at Valley View!!”   Now, I like players being bold and asking for the spotlight. Well, Kate, I was one step ahead of you. It was already going to be my Game of the Week.   But let's take a look at why, because there are some REALLY GREAT matchups this week. We have the return match between Har-Ber and Fayetteville, a revenge game for the Lady Bulldogs. There is Cotter looking to extend its streak against Omaha, Searcy vs. Harding Academy, Conway vs. Greenbrier, Baptist Prep vs. Bauxite, Bentonville vs. Bentonville West, and Westside vs. Pocahontas.   So why Marion vs. Valley View? Well, let's talk about it.   Valley View has been on a tremendous hot streak, winning 14 straight since a loss to Brookland. The Blazers got some revenge for that one with a 2-1 win over the Bearcats at the Lakeside Tournament. That is the only set they have dropped during this streak.   Who handed Valley View its other loss this year? That's right. Marion.   It was a tight 3-1 loss at the hands of the top team in the 5A-East. [player_tooltip player_id='809961' first='Kendall' last='Brown'] lit up the Blazers for 24 kills that night. Another challenge for Valley View was serve receive, as the Blazers gave up 13 aces. [player_tooltip player_id='800862' first='Alli' last='Sharp'] had six of them.   [player_tooltip player_id='749858' first='Marlee' last='Williams'] put down 11 kills, with Taylor Ruffin adding another 10. Those two also combined for six blocks on the night.   Now the match shifts to Valley View.   Will the home crowd help push the Blazers to avenge their only other loss of the season? Will they sit atop the 5A-East, tied with the defending state champs with one conference loss apiece? Will [player_tooltip player_id='807048' first='Peyton' last='Prater'], [player_tooltip player_id='1008850' first='Lynnli' last='Jo Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1010951' first='Meredith' last='Supine'] and the rest of Valley View be ready?   We find out tomorrow.   That's why Marion at Valley View is the Prep Dig Game of the Week. Can't wait.       [player_tooltip player_id='1046053' first='Reagan' last='Cowart'] Hits 1,000 Career Assists   A new player for me, and I am looking for more information, but the setter for the Lady Warriors reached a major milestone this week. Cowart eclipsed the 1,000-career-assist mark while also breaking her own school record for assists in a single match.   Cowart handed out 48 assists in Cotter's four-set win over Izard County, breaking her previous school record of 45. I have reached out to Cotter's head coach and will add more on this impressive achievement.   Cotter has been on quite a run. The Lady Warriors had won 60 consecutive sets in conference matches dating back to Oct. 1, 2024. They are now 17-2 overall and 4-0 in 2A-2 play. Their only two losses this season have come against 4A Harrison.   More info to come. Stats and information came from the Baxter Bulletin. <a href="https://www.baxterbulletin.com/stories/thursday-roundup-cowart-passes-1000-assists-in-cotters-win-at-izard-co,161538" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.baxterbulletin.com/stories/thursday-roundup-cowart-passes-1000-assists-in-cotters-win-at-izard-co,161538">https://www.baxterbulletin.com/stories/thursday-roundup-cowart-passes-1000-assists-in-cotters-win-at-izard-co,161538</a>     <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='769825' first='Asa' last='Perry'] Reaches 1,000 Career Assists</h3>   “I truly don't think I have seen someone as well rounded as her in the state so far...by next year she should hit 1,000 in kills, digs, and assist!” Bauxite Head Coach Haley Nelson said about [player_tooltip player_id='769825' first='Asa' last='Perry'].   Perry and the Lady Miners are off to a great start at 15-2 overall and 3-0 in the 4A-5. This week, Perry added another accomplishment to an already impressive career by reaching 1,000 career assists.   If you were building a volleyball player, she'd end up as [player_tooltip player_id='769825' first='Asa' last='Perry']. She has all the shots in her bag to be a dominant pin hitter, the timing and athleticism of a middle for blocking, the volleyball IQ and soft hands to be a top-level setter, and the quickness and passing ability to play libero. She is an all-in-one package.   The best thing about Perry, though, is her attitude. She's grounded in her faith, has a team-first mentality and a relentless work ethic.   Congratulations, Asa, on an amazing accomplishment.   Season Stats: 32 Sets | 18 Aces | 93 Kills | 11 Blocks | 104 Digs | 130 Assists    Now the Commitments!    [player_tooltip player_id='760981' first='Adalynn' last='Wilkerson'] Commits to Seward County   One of my favorite players in the Class of 2027. Gritty, hardworking, plays with reckless abandon and is a coach's dream.   I have written about Wilkerson before, nicknamed the “Worm” for the way she plays, down and dirty. During club season, she was the MVP of the National Champion Arkansas Select 17s. She has continued that great play this fall for Lake Hamilton.   Right now, the Wolves sit at 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the 5A-South, good for second place.   Wilkerson has committed to play for the Seward County Saints, an NJCAA Division I program in Kansas. She will then have the opportunity to continue her career elsewhere after her time at Seward County.   This is an exciting step in the volleyball process. Choosing the right opportunity is a key to happiness and success, and we congratulate Adalynn on her choice. She's an amazing player and will continue her career at the highest level of JUCO volleyball.   Season Stats: 21 aces (team leader) | 92 digs (2nd on team) | 122 serve receptions (team leader)     Prater to the Reddies   Taylor has been relentless with me, and I love it. She tags me in every clip and every big play. You can't help but root for her. But make no mistake, she earned this opportunity with her play.   As Elite Volleyball Director Tanja Eckart put it, “So proud of your hardwork and tenacity!” That explains Taylor to a T.   I have watched her live both in club and for Episcopal. She is always in the right spot, has quick feet, a great platform and a high volleyball IQ. At 5'7", she also has good size for the position.   Henderson State has done a great job recruiting its home state. The Reddies currently have nine players from Arkansas, with more on the way. Coach Phillip McDaniel has been at HSU since 2017, and that is the kind of stability you want in a program. With a 151-107 record, the Reddies are always in the mix for the Great American Conference title.   Congratulations, Taylor. You will love Arkadelphia. That comes from a former Tiger!    -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) Tik Tok(@prepdigrob) and Instagram(@prepdigarrob)

There was a lot going on across Arkansas volleyball this week. Big-time matchups, tournament wins, huge individual performances, college commitments and a couple of career milestones worth celebrating.