Nominees for Player of the Year, the NEXT FIVE

Time for round two of nominations that have been made for player of the year. Remember we aren't looking for just the best stats... here is we are looking for:   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>   Followers will also get a chance to participate by nominating players to the watchlist on Instagram Stories in the preseason. August 21st, the Final Watchlist will be announced.   Here are the second nominees for the watch list for The Arkansas Player of the Year in no particular order:    I have written a lot about [player_tooltip player_id='769825' first='Asa' last='Perry'], the all-everything Swiss Army knife of a volleyball player. I don't have her stats in front of me, but honestly, I don't need them. Stats don't tell Asa's story. I've watched her live in the gym several times, and she's just a ballplayer.   Asa shows up everywhere. She is one of the premier setters in the state, one of the premier hitters, and one of the premier defenders. Put her wherever you need her and she will figure it out. Perry jumps off the page on film, but she's even better when you watch her live and see everything she does between the points.   What I appreciate most about Asa is that none of it seems to be about Asa. She is a selfless player who will do whatever her team needs to win. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it: I believe Perry is the best overall athlete in Arkansas volleyball. That's a pretty good place to start when talking about a Prep Dig Arkansas Player of the Year nominee.     A few different people have reached out to me about [player_tooltip player_id='790125' first='Aleigh' last='Lucas'] and what she means to the Lady Bombers. I've had the chance to see her in person a few times, and I'll get another look when Mountain Home competes at the Lady Cat Jamboree on August 20.   Coming off a junior season with 151 blocks and 221 kills, look for those numbers to climb even higher as a senior. Lucas brings a high level of competitiveness to the court, but just as important is the leadership she provides a young Mountain Home team.   The Lady Bombers finished 8-8 in the 5A East last season, but there is plenty of young talent on this roster. Lucas will be the veteran in the middle of it all, and if Mountain Home takes that next step this fall, you can bet she will have a lot to do with it.     Wilkerson will be counted on heavily to patrol the back row for Lake Hamilton this season, and there is little doubt she can handle it. Fresh off an AAU National Championship and MVP performance, look for a big senior year from the player they call "Worm."   Adalynn is a sideline-to-sideline defender who doesn't let much hit the floor. She has great first-ball contact that gets the offense moving and can step in and set out of system when needed. She reads the game well, competes for every ball, and gives Lake Hamilton stability behind the block.   If the Lady Wolves are going to make a run at the 5A South this season, defense will be a big part of the equation. Having Wilkerson in the back row is a pretty good place to start.     [player_tooltip player_id='834319' first='Kirby' last='Conrad'] put together one of the more productive offensive seasons in the state last year, finishing with 403 kills while hitting .236 and adding 49 aces. Those are big numbers, but what stands out with Kirby is the pressure she can put on a defense. And in the biggest moments? Conrad had 18 kills in the 4A state title game vs PA. When she gets going, teams have to account for her on every rotation.   Conrad plays with plenty of power, but she isn't just trying to hit through everybody. She can move the ball around the court, attack different angles, and isn't afraid to challenge the block. Add in a serve that produced 49 aces, and she can score points in a hurry without ever leaving the service line.   Coming off a 400-kill season, Kirby isn't exactly sneaking up on anybody this fall. Westside shocked a lot of people last year taking PA to 5 sets in the title game. Opposing teams know who she is and where the ball is going. Now they have to figure out how to stop it. That's what makes Conrad a Prep Dig Arkansas Player of the Year nominee.     [player_tooltip player_id='750224' first='Caroline' last='Stallbaumer'] has been one of the most consistent middles in Arkansas, and the numbers from last season back it up. She finished with 302 kills while hitting .451 and added 75 blocks for Shiloh Christian. When you can produce at that level on both sides of the net, you're going to get my attention.   At 6'2", Caroline has the size you want in the middle, but there is more to her game than being tall. She moves well along the net, gets up quickly, and gives her setters a reliable target in transition. Defensively, she takes up a lot of space and can change an attack even when she doesn't get credit for the block.   Shiloh Christian will have plenty of expectations this season stepping up into the 6A West, and Stallbaumer will be right in the middle of them—literally. With another year of experience, I expect even more production from Caroline, making her a Prep Dig Arkansas Player of the Year nominee.    Don't forget we are taking nominations for the 2026 Player of the Year Watch List which will be announced August 21st! These are just the first two batch of nominees. Each Monday I will announce more. We will continue to grow our database and be inclusive of players from all around the state. If you know a player that deserved to be highlighted, I'd love to hear about them. 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). Let's continue showcasing the incredible talent Arkansas volleyball has to offer.

Time for round two of nominations that have been made for player of the year. Remember we aren't looking for just the best stats... here is we are looking for: