On the Trail for Talent: 3A Players Making Noise

One of the things I enjoy most about covering volleyball across Arkansas is finding players who may not always get the same attention. There is plenty of talent in the smaller classifications, and 3A is no exception. Typically, you hear a lot about the players in 5A and 6A, but let's not forget there is plenty of talent in the smaller schools too.   This list has a little bit of everything. Setters, hitters, middles and liberos. Seniors who are finishing strong and freshmen who are just getting started. Some of these names you may already know, while others might be new to you.   That's what being on the trail for talent is all about. Here are some 3A players making noise this season.    Remington is the type of player that brings value in a lot of different areas. She is a true six-rotation outside who can put the ball away, defend and handle a big part of the serve receive responsibility for Lincoln.   Through 32 sets, Remington has 116 kills while hitting .217. She has also added 21 aces, 7 blocks, 135 digs and 157 serve receptions. She has already had two matches with 19 kills and two more with 18, showing she can carry a big part of the offensive load when Lincoln needs it.   Her ability to contribute all over the floor has also earned her an opportunity at the next level. Remington recently committed to John Brown University.   2026 Stats: 32 sets | 116 kills | .217 hitting | 21 aces | 7 blocks | 135 digs | 157 serve receptions     We talked about Bush in the Fabulous Freshmen article, but what she is doing at Lamar makes her worth mentioning again. She isn't just putting together a good freshman season. She is currently leading 3A with 173 kills in only 39 sets.   Bush is averaging 4.4 kills per set while also giving Lamar 3.1 digs per set. That is a pretty heavy workload for any outside, much less a freshman playing her first varsity season.   There is still a lot of development ahead for Bush, but the production is already there. She has quickly become one of the young players in the state I want to continue following.   2026 Stats: 39 sets | 173 kills | 4.4 kills/set | 119 digs | 3.1 digs/set | 18 aces     This one is from my wife's hometown where she starred as a volleyball player! Chloe has provided Paris with some consistency up front this season. Through 29 sets, she has put down 90 kills and has already reached double-digit kills in four different matches.   She has also contributed 13 aces, 5 blocks and 39 digs. Moore gives the Eagles another steady option at the net and has shown she can produce when they need offense.   2026 Stats: 29 sets | 90 kills | 13 aces | 5 blocks | 39 digs     [player_tooltip player_id='749876' first='Patience' last='Webb'] has been a consistent threat for Mayflower all season. She is averaging 2.5 kills per set, but what really stands out is her efficiency. Webb is hitting .352 on the season, which is impressive considering the offensive load she carries.   She has also added 32 aces and 16 blocks, giving the Eagles production in several areas. Webb is a good athlete who also plays basketball, and that athleticism shows up on the volleyball court.   She and fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1007418' first='Jordan' last='Fusilier'] have given Mayflower a solid combination at the net. Fusilier has 126 kills and 23 aces of her own, giving the Eagles two experienced seniors they can lean on.   2026 Stats: 49 sets | 122 kills | .352 hitting | 32 aces | 16 blocks | 41 digs     Having a solid setter in a 5-1 is a big part of running a good offense. It helps even more when that setter can do more than just distribute the ball. Manila has that in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1043685' first='Jordan' last='LaRose'].   LaRose has handed out 225 assists this season while also contributing 24 kills and 18 aces. She has been active defensively as well with 121 digs. She gives Coach Webb and the Lady Lions a steady hand running the offense while still being able to make plays herself when the opportunity is there.   2026 Stats: 39 sets | 225 assists | 24 kills | 18 aces | 121 digs     Coach Moore describes [player_tooltip player_id='1043686' first='Andi' last='Davis'] as a fierce competitor, and her numbers show just how many different ways she can impact a match. She has the strongest serve on the team and has already put down 39 aces in 12 matches.   What really stands out with Davis is her volleyball IQ. She has 178 assists on the season and seems to understand what the offense needs and when to make the right play with the ball. She isn't limited to setting either. Davis has 69 kills, 10 blocks and 129 digs, giving Walnut Ridge production in just about every phase of the game.   That combination of competitiveness, volleyball IQ and versatility makes Davis an interesting player to keep watching.   2026 Stats: 46 sets | 69 kills | 178 assists | 39 aces | 10 blocks | 129 digs     [player_tooltip player_id='1043690' first='Mylee' last='Rychtarik'] has been one of the most productive players for Perryville this season. The junior leads the Mustangs in kills and aces while sitting third on the team in both digs and serve receptions. That's the kind of all-around production Perryville needs from one of its leaders. She is also a stand out basketball player.   Rychtarik has reached double-digit kills in five of the seven matches with recorded stats and is averaging 3.3 kills per set. She has also added 21 aces, 59 digs and 85 serve receptions, showing her value goes well beyond attacking.   Perryville sits at 6-4 and has stumbled a little out of the gate, but there is plenty of season left. With Rychtarik and [player_tooltip player_id='831927' first='Emma' last='Farnam'] leading the offense, the Mustangs have the pieces to make some noise in the 3A-5. Rychtarik's production and leadership will be a big part of how far they can go.   2026 Stats: 24 sets | 80 kills | 3.3 kills/set | 21 aces | 59 digs | 85 serve receptions     According to Coach Moore, [player_tooltip player_id='1044657' first='Kaylee' last='Deese'] has become the backbone of the defense and is already taking on a big role as just a sophomore. Through 46 sets, she has recorded 180 digs while carrying a 2.0 serve-receive rating.   What stands out about Deese goes beyond the numbers. She has played this season while dealing with a torn ligament in her hand and has elected to wait until after the season for surgery. Despite the injury, she has continued to anchor the back row and is just now getting healthy enough to begin serving in matches.   That toughness says a lot about Deese as a teammate and competitor. With two more high school seasons still ahead of her, the sky is the limit for a young defensive player who is already producing at a high level.   2026 Stats: 46 sets | 180 digs | 2.0 serve-receive rating | 55 receptions | 21 assists    -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)

One of the things I enjoy most about covering volleyball across Arkansas is finding players who may not always get the same attention. There is plenty of talent in the smaller classifications, and 3A is no exception. Typically, you hear a lot about the players in 5A and 6A, but let's not forget there is plenty of talent in the smaller schools too.