3A State Title: Fountain Lake Claims State Title Behind McKellar

The 2026 Arkansas Class 3A State Championship delivered an exciting battle between Fountain Lake and Mayflower, as both programs took the court at Bank OZK Arena on October 31st with a state title on the line.   Despite a strong offensive showing from Mayflower, Fountain Lake took the victory in four sets (25-22, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18), capturing the 3A state championship behind an impressive defensive performance and an outstanding all-around performance from Aliyah McKellar.   While Mayflower finished with more kills, Fountain Lake's ability to control the net, capitalize on opportunities, and generate pressure from the service line ultimately seperated the two teams.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fountain Lake's McKellar Takes Center Stage</h2>    If there was one player who consistently influenced the championship match, it was Fountain Lake's Aliyah McKellar. McKellar delivered one of the most complete performances of the championship matches, finishing with 18 kills, 20 assists, 19 digs, three service aces, and three block assists. Even more impressive was her offensive efficiency. McKellar recorded a .385 hitting percentage on 39 attempts, committing just three attacking errors. She consistently found ways to impact the match and stay involved.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fountain Lake's Defense Makes the Difference</h2>   Although McKellar led the charge, Fountain Lake's championship victory was far from a one-player performance. One of the most significant differences between the two programs came at the net.   Fountain Lake finished with 14 total team blocks compared to Mayflower's six, creating difficulties for a Mayflower offense that produced 59 kills.   Kiley Williams played a significant role in that defensive effort, contributing five block assists and two solo blocks. [player_tooltip player_id='1056090' first='Kalli' last='Kliewer'] added five block assists and one solo block, while [player_tooltip player_id='842777' first='Ireland' last='Kane'] contributed four block assists.   Fountain Lake's defensive production extended beyond the front row. Libero Addy Blees provided stability in the backcourt, recording 14 digs while handling 32 receptions attempts with just one reception error. McKellar added 19 digs, while Kane contributed 13 and Alexis Culpepper finished with 12.   Fountain Lake also added pressure at the service line. They finished with 10 aces compared to Mayflower's four. McKellar led the team with three aces, while Williams, Bailey Hedges, and Culpepper each contributed two.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mayflower's Offense Refuses to Back Down</h2>   Despite falling short of the championship, Mayflower showcased an impressive offensive attack that consistently challenged Fountain Lake.   The Eagles finished with 59 kills, 18 more than Fountain Lake, and had three players reach double figures.   [player_tooltip player_id='815028' first='Kayla' last='Alexander'] led Mayflower with 17 kills, hitting an impressive .382 on 34 attempts. Alexander was effective throughout the contest, committing only four attacking errors while also contributing to Mayflower's blocking efforts.   [player_tooltip player_id='1007418' first='Jordan' last='Fusilier'] followed with 16 kills and 18 digs. [player_tooltip player_id='749876' first='Patience' last='Webb'] added 12 kills while hitting .226, and [player_tooltip player_id='1045208' first='Millee' last='Gordon'] contributed nine kills and 10 digs. Mayflower setter [player_tooltip player_id='1007360' first='Chloe' last='Whittington'] directed the offense with 46 assists and 17 digs, helping distribute the ball across multiple attacking options. Defensively, Zoe Dawson contributed 14 digs, while Fusilier's 18 digs and Whittington's 17 provided additional support.   Mayflower's offensive depth made the Eagles a difficult opponent, but Fountain Lake's blocking and serving proved too much to overcome.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Match Recap</h2>   Set One: Fountain Lake 25, Mayflower 22   The opening set established the competitive tone of the championship.   Mayflower jumped ahead 3-1 before Fountain Lake responded with a run to take a 9-3 advantage.   However, Mayflower refused to surrender, eventually battling back to tie the set at 16.   With the momentum hanging in the balance, Fountain Lake found the answers late, securing a 25-22 victory.   The Lady Cobras' defensive presence was immediately noticeable, as they recorded six team blocks in the opening set.   Set Two: Fountain Lake 25, Mayflower 19   Fountain Lake carried its momentum into the second set, using aggressive serving and disciplined defense to establish control.   After Mayflower held an early 9-8 advantage, Fountain Lake responded with a decisive scoring run, extending its lead to 17-9.   McKellar was especially effective, recording four kills on seven attempts without an attacking error while adding six assists and two service aces.   Fountain Lake finished the set with six aces as a team, making it difficult for Mayflower to establish consistent offensive rhythm.   The Lady Cobras closed out the set 25-19, moving within one set of the championship.   Set Three: Mayflower 25, Fountain Lake 19   With its season on the line, Mayflower responded with its strongest stretch of volleyball.   The Eagles established an early 10-4 advantage and continued applying pressure throughout the set.   Alexander led the offensive charge with five kills on 10 attempts, hitting .400.   Fusilier added four kills, while Webb contributed three.   Mayflower's offense found greater success against Fountain Lake's blocking scheme, and the Eagles limited the Lady Cobras to a .086 hitting percentage.   Mayflower secured the 25-19 victory, forcing a fourth set and keeping its championship hopes alive.   Set Four: Fountain Lake 25, Mayflower 18   The fourth set provided Fountain Lake with an opportunity to close out the championship, but Mayflower continued to fight.   The Eagles jumped ahead 7-3, looking to build on their third-set momentum.   Fountain Lake, however, recovered and ultimately secured the 25-18 victory to claim the Class 3A state championship.   The Lady Cobras saved one of their strongest offensive sets for last, hitting .278 with 12 kills and just two attacking errors.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players Who Made an Impact</h2>   Aliyah McKellar | Fountain Lake   18 kills, .385 hitting, 20 assists, 19 digs, 3 aces   Kiley Williams | Fountain Lake   2 kills, 2 aces, 2 solo blocks, 5 block assists, 11 points   Addy Blees | Fountain Lake   14 digs, 32 reception attempts   [player_tooltip player_id='815028' first='Kayla' last='Alexander'] | Mayflower   17 kills, .382 hitting, 4 block assists, 1 solo block   [player_tooltip player_id='1007418' first='Jordan' last='Fusilier'] | Mayflower   16 kills, 18 digs, 1 block assist   [player_tooltip player_id='1007360' first='Chloe' last='Whittington'] | Mayflower   46 assists, 17 digs, 2 kills   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Hannah Hankins, @prepdighannah on IG/X.

The 2026 Arkansas Class 3A State Championship delivered an exciting battle between Fountain Lake and Mayflower, as both programs took the court at Bank OZK Arena on October 31st with a state title on the line.

Despite a strong offensive showing from Mayflower, Fountain Lake took the victory in four sets (25-22, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18), capturing the 3A state championship behind an impressive defensive performance and an outstanding all-around performance from Aliyah McKellar.

While Mayflower finished with more kills, Fountain Lake's ability to control the net, capitalize on opportunities, and generate pressure from the service line ultimately seperated the two teams.

Fountain Lake's McKellar Takes Center Stage

Aliyah Mckellar

S/RS

HEIGHT 5'8"

POS S/RS

CLASS 2027

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Aliyah Mckellar

State: Arkansas

School: Fountain Lake

Club: Arkansas Select Volleyball

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Fountain Lake's Defense Makes the Difference

Although McKellar led the charge, Fountain Lake's championship victory was far from a one-player performance. One of the most significant differences between the two programs came at the net.

Fountain Lake finished with 14 total team blocks compared to Mayflower's six, creating difficulties for a Mayflower offense that produced 59 kills.

Kiley Williams played a significant role in that defensive effort, contributing five block assists and two solo blocks. Kalli Kliewer Kalli Kliewer 5'10" | MB Fountain Lake | 2027 AR added five block assists and one solo block, while Ireland Kane Ireland Kane RH AR contributed four block assists.

Fountain Lake's defensive production extended beyond the front row. Libero Addy Blees provided stability in the backcourt, recording 14 digs while handling 32 receptions attempts with just one reception error. McKellar added 19 digs, while Kane contributed 13 and Alexis Culpepper finished with 12.

Fountain Lake also added pressure at the service line. They finished with 10 aces compared to Mayflower's four. McKellar led the team with three aces, while Williams, Bailey Hedges, and Culpepper each contributed two.

Mayflower's Offense Refuses to Back Down

Despite falling short of the championship, Mayflower showcased an impressive offensive attack that consistently challenged Fountain Lake.

The Eagles finished with 59 kills, 18 more than Fountain Lake, and had three players reach double figures.

Kayla Alexander Kayla Alexander MH AR led Mayflower with 17 kills, hitting an impressive .382 on 34 attempts. Alexander was effective throughout the contest, committing only four attacking errors while also contributing to Mayflower's blocking efforts.

Jordan Fusilier Jordan Fusilier 5'8" | OH/DS/L Mayflower | 2027 State AR followed with 16 kills and 18 digs. Patience Webb Patience Webb 5'10" | OH Mayflower | 2027 AR added 12 kills while hitting .226, and Millee Gordon Millee Gordon 5'6" | OH/RS Mayflower | 2029 State AR contributed nine kills and 10 digs. Mayflower setter Chloe Whittington Chloe Whittington 5'6" | S Mayflower | 2027 State AR directed the offense with 46 assists and 17 digs, helping distribute the ball across multiple attacking options. Defensively, Zoe Dawson contributed 14 digs, while Fusilier's 18 digs and Whittington's 17 provided additional support.

Mayflower's offensive depth made the Eagles a difficult opponent, but Fountain Lake's blocking and serving proved too much to overcome.

Match Recap

Set One: Fountain Lake 25, Mayflower 22

The opening set established the competitive tone of the championship.

Mayflower jumped ahead 3-1 before Fountain Lake responded with a run to take a 9-3 advantage.

However, Mayflower refused to surrender, eventually battling back to tie the set at 16.

With the momentum hanging in the balance, Fountain Lake found the answers late, securing a 25-22 victory.

The Lady Cobras' defensive presence was immediately noticeable, as they recorded six team blocks in the opening set.

Set Two: Fountain Lake 25, Mayflower 19

Fountain Lake carried its momentum into the second set, using aggressive serving and disciplined defense to establish control.

After Mayflower held an early 9-8 advantage, Fountain Lake responded with a decisive scoring run, extending its lead to 17-9.

McKellar was especially effective, recording four kills on seven attempts without an attacking error while adding six assists and two service aces.

Fountain Lake finished the set with six aces as a team, making it difficult for Mayflower to establish consistent offensive rhythm.

The Lady Cobras closed out the set 25-19, moving within one set of the championship.

Set Three: Mayflower 25, Fountain Lake 19

With its season on the line, Mayflower responded with its strongest stretch of volleyball.

The Eagles established an early 10-4 advantage and continued applying pressure throughout the set.

Alexander led the offensive charge with five kills on 10 attempts, hitting .400.

Fusilier added four kills, while Webb contributed three.

Mayflower's offense found greater success against Fountain Lake's blocking scheme, and the Eagles limited the Lady Cobras to a .086 hitting percentage.

Mayflower secured the 25-19 victory, forcing a fourth set and keeping its championship hopes alive.

Set Four: Fountain Lake 25, Mayflower 18

The fourth set provided Fountain Lake with an opportunity to close out the championship, but Mayflower continued to fight.

The Eagles jumped ahead 7-3, looking to build on their third-set momentum.

Fountain Lake, however, recovered and ultimately secured the 25-18 victory to claim the Class 3A state championship.

The Lady Cobras saved one of their strongest offensive sets for last, hitting .278 with 12 kills and just two attacking errors.