<h1 class="wp-block-heading">See where the players stand at the mid point of the season!</h1>   We are getting to the midpoint of the season where the Player of the Year race is starting to take shape. (I wrote this last week, so the stats do not reflect up until today)   There is still a lot of volleyball left to play, and this list will change. Conference races are heating up, the postseason isn't far away, and the road to Hot Springs will have a big say in how this eventually turns out. One thing to remember with this list: this isn't a recruiting ranking. I don't care what class a player is in, where she is ranked or how many college coaches are following her. This is about what these players are doing for their high school teams right now. Stats matter. Winning matters. Efficiency matters. So does what a player is being asked to do for her team.   And comparing positions isn't always easy. You can't judge a setter by the same numbers as an outside hitter. Middles have a different job. Liberos have a different job. So I tried to look at the whole picture.   Here is where I have the Player of the Year race right now.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. [player_tooltip player_id='569597' first='Emmerson' last='Rehkopf'] | 2027 | Farmington | OH/DS</h2>   64 Sets | 346 Kills | 5.4 KPS | .393 | 197 Digs | 24 Aces   Farmington: 19-3 | 1st, 5A West   There is a lot to like here. Rehkopf has 346 kills and is averaging 5.4 kills per set. Those numbers are impressive enough, but what really separates her right now is the .393 hitting percentage.   She has taken 751 swings. That's a huge workload and she is still hitting close to .400.   Add 197 digs and Farmington sitting at 19-3 and first in the 5A West, and Rehkopf has put together the most complete résumé in the race so far.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. [player_tooltip player_id='547495' first='Olivia' last='Ambeau'] | 2028 | Cabot | S/RS</h2>   58 Sets | 203 Kills | .293 | 225 Assists | 209 Digs | 43 Blocks | 12 Aces   Cabot: 14-4-2 | 2nd, 6A Central   Just look at those numbers. More than 200 kills. More than 200 assists. More than 200 digs. Then throw in 43 blocks. There aren't many players in the state being asked to do everything Ambeau is doing for Cabot.   She can terminate. She can set. She can defend. She can block.   If you are looking for the best all-around statistical line in the state, this one is going to be hard to beat.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. [player_tooltip player_id='749906' first='Molly' last='Miller'] | 2028 | Fayetteville | S/RS</h2>   29 Sets | 295 Assists | 10.2 APS | 23 Kills | .275 | 81 Digs | 11 Blocks   Fayetteville: 9-1 | 1st, 6A West   Setters can get lost in conversations like this because they aren't putting up 200 or 300 kills.   Don't overlook what Miller is doing. She is averaging 10.2 assists per set for a Fayetteville team sitting at 9-1 and leading the 6A West. That's a lot of offense running through her hands.   She has also added 81 digs, 23 kills and 11 blocks. Miller is running one of the better teams in Arkansas and doing it at a high level.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. [player_tooltip player_id='747267' first='Preslie' last='Walker'] | 2027 | Harmony Grove | OH/DS</h2>   37 Sets | 200 Kills | 5.4 KPS | .254 | 155 Digs | 16 Aces   Harmony Grove: 8-3   Two hundred kills in 37 sets. That tells you pretty quickly what kind of workload Walker is carrying.   She is averaging 5.4 kills per set, which puts her right there with Rehkopf among the biggest offensive producers on this list. Walker also has 155 digs. She isn't coming off the floor and she is being asked to carry a big part of the load on both sides of the ball.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. [player_tooltip player_id='809961' first='Kendall' last='Brown'] | 2027 | Marion | Pin</h2>   45 Sets | 183 Kills | 4.1 KPS | 145 Digs | 28 Aces | 18 Blocks   Marion: 15-1 | 1st, 5A East   Brown has one of those résumés where everything fits. The individual numbers are there. She has 183 kills, averages 4.1 kills per set and has 145 digs. The team success is there too.   Marion is 15-1 and sitting on top of the 5A East.   Brown has been a big part of that success and continues to make a strong case.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. [player_tooltip player_id='566871' first='Tristen' last='Hamilton'] | 2028 | Bentonville | Pin</h2>   51 Sets | 203 Kills | 4.0 KPS | .288 | 174 Digs | 25 Aces   Bentonville: 13-5   Hamilton is putting together a really good six-rotation season. She has 203 kills, is averaging four kills per set and is hitting .288. Then look at the back row. Hamilton has 174 digs and 25 aces.   She's getting it done against a strong 6A schedule and is one of the more complete pins on this list.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. [player_tooltip player_id='1013863' first='Sophie' last='Greenwood'] | 2027 | Pulaski Academy | MB</h2>   248 Kills | .331 | 55 Blocks | 55 Aces | 34 Assists   Pulaski Academy: 9-5   Greenwood's numbers jumped out at me when I really started looking at them.   She has 248 kills while hitting .331. For a middle, that's a lot of offensive production. Then you add 55 blocks and 55 aces.   Greenwood is scoring points at the net, behind the service line and as an attacker. She has quickly moved herself right into the middle of this race.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. [player_tooltip player_id='806409' first='Lily' last='Harbin'] | 2027 | Morrilton | OH/DS</h2>   47 Sets | 217 Kills | 4.6 KPS | .248 | 162 Digs | 34 Aces   Morrilton: 9-6   Harbin is another player carrying a big load. She has 217 kills in 47 sets and is averaging 4.6 kills per set. But don't stop with the attacking numbers. Harbin has 162 digs and 34 aces.   She is impacting the match in all six rotations and has been one of the state's more productive outside hitters. A late add to the list, but she is producing     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. [player_tooltip player_id='1008480' first='Kate' last='Calhoon'] | 2027 | Valley View | MB</h2>   38 Sets | 136 Kills | 3.6 KPS | .425 | 48 Digs | 15 Aces   Valley View: 13-2-1   That .425 gets your attention. Then you realize Calhoon isn't doing it on a handful of swings.   She is averaging 3.6 kills per set. That's what makes her numbers so impressive. Calhoon is giving Valley View legitimate offensive production while hitting at an extremely efficient rate.   Valley View is also 13-2-1. (now 15 straight wins after beating Marion last night)   This is one to keep watching.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">10. [player_tooltip player_id='746203' first='Taylor' last='Wherry'] | 2028 | Mount St. Mary | Pin</h2>   51 Sets | 161 Kills | 3.2 KPS | .296 | 1.5 Blocks/Set   Mount St. Mary: 9-2   Wherry is getting it done on both sides of the net. She has 161 kills, is averaging 3.2 per set and is hitting .296. Then there is the blocking. Wherry is averaging around 1.5 blocks per set.   That's a lot of points being created at the net, and she has been a big part of Mount St. Mary's 9-2 start.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">11. [player_tooltip player_id='768346' first='Brinkley' last='Gigerich'] | 2029 | Bryant | OH/DS</h2>   61 Sets | 225 Kills | 3.7 KPS | .197 | 164 Digs | 25 Blocks   Bryant: 9-8   Remember, Gigerich is only a sophomore. But this isn't a ranking based on age, so what matters is what she is doing right now. She already has 225 kills and 164 digs while playing a 6A schedule.   The .197 hitting percentage is the number I want to see continue to improve, but the production is already there. (up to .201 as of today)     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">12. [player_tooltip player_id='834319' first='Kirby' last='Conrad'] | 2027 | Westside | Pin</h2>   53 Sets | 165 Kills | 3.1 KPS | .286 | 93 Digs | 22 Aces   Westside: 11-5-1 | 1st in Conference   Conrad has quietly put together a really solid season. She has 165 kills, is hitting .286 and has added 93 digs and 22 aces. Nothing flashy is needed here. Her leadership is a big key to her success and ranking.   She is producing, doing it efficiently and helping Westside sit in first place.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">13. [player_tooltip player_id='769825' first='Asa' last='Perry'] | 2028 | Bauxite | S/RS</h2>   32 Sets | 93 Kills | 130 Assists | 104 Digs | 18 Aces | 11 Blocks   Bauxite: 14-2   Perry is another player where you have to look at the entire stat line. She just reached 1,000 career assists. She has 93 kills, 130 assists and 104 digs in only 32 sets. That's almost three kills, more than four assists and better than three digs per set.   She is doing a little bit of everything, and Bauxite is 14-2.   That's a pretty good combination. I expect her to be in the top 10 by the end of the season.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14. [player_tooltip player_id='744272' first='Catelyn' last='Edwards'] | 2027 | Hackett | Setter</h2>   39 Sets | 258 Assists | 59 Kills | 92 Digs | 50 Aces   Hackett: 11-2   Fifty aces in 39 sets. Yeah, that got my attention. Edwards also has 258 assists, 59 kills and 92 digs.   She isn't just running the offense. She is creating points from the service line and finding other ways to impact matches. Edwards just eclipsed the 2,000 assist mark!   Hackett being 11-2 doesn't hurt the argument either.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15. [player_tooltip player_id='1004470' first='Claire' last='Schofield'] | 2027 | Bentonville West | OH/DS</h2>   44 Sets | 143 Kills | 3.3 KPS | 82 Digs | 28 Blocks | 20 Aces   Bentonville West: 13-2   Schofield is having a very complete season for a very good team. She has 143 kills, 82 digs, 28 blocks and 20 aces. There isn't one giant number here. There doesn't have to be. She can be whatever the team needs and that is important.   She's contributing everywhere and Bentonville West is 13-2.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16. Tenley McMillion | 2028 | Crowley's Ridge | S/OH</h2>   36 Sets | 107 Kills | 3.0 KPS | 81 Digs | 34 Aces   Crowley's Ridge: 10-1   McMillion has been a big part of a 10-1 start. She is averaging three kills per set and has 81 digs. The 34 aces in 36 sets really stand out.   She is scoring, defending and putting pressure on teams from the service line.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17. [player_tooltip player_id='749870' first='Grace' last='Jennings'] | 2027 | Harrison | MH</h2>   43 Sets | 130 Kills | 3.0 KPS | .295 | 28 Blocks | 20 Aces   Harrison: 12-2 | 1st in Conference   Jennings is giving Harrison really good production out of the middle. Three kills per set while hitting .295 is a good combination. She has also added 28 blocks and 20 aces.   Harrison is 12-2 and sitting in first place, and Jennings has been a big part of it. She is the other late add to list proving she belongs.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">18. [player_tooltip player_id='884840' first='Makylah' last='Davis'] | 2028 | Little Rock Central | MB</h2>   25 Sets | 78 Kills | 3.1 KPS | .347 | 25 Blocks   Little Rock Central: 4-6   This is one where the team record doesn't tell you what the player is doing. Davis has 78 kills in 25 sets, is hitting .347 and has 25 blocks. That's better than three kills and one block per set.   Those are really good numbers from the middle. Ky is one of the best in the state, Central's record keeps her down this list right now, but individually Davis is having a very good season.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">19. Lilly Parker | 2028 | Greenbrier | Setter</h2>   50 Sets | 372 Assists | 7.4 APS | 52 Kills | 78 Digs | 20 Blocks   Greenbrier: 11-5 | 1st, 5A Central   Parker has been right in the middle of Greenbrier's success. She has 372 assists while also contributing 52 kills, 78 digs and 20 blocks. Greenbrier is sitting in first place in the 5A Central.   Parker is running the offense and finding plenty of other ways to contribute.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">20. [player_tooltip player_id='749859' first='Isabella' last='Gonzalez'] | 2027 | Benton | OH/DS</h2>   46 Sets | 128 Kills | 181 Digs | 17 Aces   Benton: 14-1-1 | 1st, 5A South   Winning matters, and Benton has done a lot of it. Gonzalez has been a big part of that. She has 128 kills, but the 181 digs really stand out. But what stats don't tell you, is that she is the floor general and backbone of this Panthers team.   She is giving Benton production in all six rotations while helping the Lady Panthers to a 14-1-1 record.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">21. Caroline StallBaumer | 2028 | Shiloh Christian | MB</h2>   45 Sets | 127 Kills | 2.8 KPS | .266 | 44 Blocks   Shiloh Christian: 6-7   StallBaumer has been productive in the middle. She has 127 kills while hitting .266 and has added 44 blocks. That's nearly a block per set.   The team record hurts her in a Player of the Year race, but her individual front-row numbers deserve attention.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">22. [player_tooltip player_id='790125' first='Aleigh' last='Lucas'] | 2027 | Mountain Home | MB</h2>   40 Sets | 96 Kills | .335 | 55 Blocks   Mountain Home: 3-8   Don't get too caught up in where Lucas is ranked. Her individual numbers are better than No. 22. She is hitting .335 and has 55 blocks in 40 sets. That's nearly 1.4 blocks per set.   Mountain Home's record is working against her here, but Lucas is having a strong individual season.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">23. [player_tooltip player_id='859443' first='Ava' last='Beasley'] | 2027 | Paragould | OH/DS</h2>   29 Sets | 89 Kills | 3.1 KPS | 99 Digs | 17 Aces | 13 Blocks   Paragould: 8-6   Beasley is another six-rotation player putting numbers in several columns. She has 89 kills and 99 digs in 29 reported sets. She's also added 17 aces and 13 blocks.   The .143 hitting percentage is the number that needs to improve, but Beasley continues to make an impact in several areas.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">24. [player_tooltip player_id='760981' first='Adalynn' last='Wilkerson'] | 2027 | Lake Hamilton | Libero</h2>   20 Sets | 81 Digs | 4.1 DPS | 19 Aces   Lake Hamilton: 7-2   Liberos are always difficult to compare with hitters and setters on a list like this. Wilkerson is averaging just over four digs per set and already has 19 aces. What we don't have are the passing numbers. Those matter.   A libero's impact isn't always going to show up in a box score, so Wilkerson is someone I want to continue watching as we get deeper into the season.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">25. [player_tooltip player_id='1020026' first='Danielle' last='Lowery'] | 2027 | Mansfield | MB</h2>   28 Sets | 62 Kills | 30 Digs | 10 Blocks   Mansfield: 12-4 | 1st in Conference   Lowery rounds out the current Top 25.   She has 62 kills and 10 blocks while Mansfield has put together a 12-4 record and moved into first place.   Her individual numbers aren't as big as some of the other middles on this list, but she is contributing to a team that keeps winning.    <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Still a Long Way to Go</h1>   This race isn't close to being over. Right now, Rehkopf has probably put together the strongest combination of volume, efficiency and team success. Ambeau might have the most interesting stat line of anyone in the state. Miller is running one of the best teams in Arkansas. Then you have Walker putting down 5.4 kills per set, Brown helping Marion to a 15-1 start, Hamilton producing in all six rotations, Greenwood putting up huge numbers from the middle, Harbin carrying a big offensive load, Calhoon hitting .425 and Wherry getting it done attacking and blocking.   And that's just the Top 10.   There are going to be some big matches over the next few weeks. Conference titles will be decided. Teams will start positioning themselves for the state tournament. Then we get on the road to Hot Springs. That's when this gets really interesting. For now, this is where I have them.   But there is still plenty of volleyball left to play.   -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)