From Central Arkansas to Nationals: Six Players Ready To Compete

As USA Volleyball Nationals approaches, athletes across Arkansas are making their final preparations for the biggest event in club volleyball.   Some are focused on refining fundamentals; others are working to get healthy after a long season. Many are using the final weeks to sharpen their recruiting efforts, contacting coaches and preparing for the challenge of competing against the nation's best. One thing they all have in common is a desire to represent their clubs, teammates and the state of Arkansas on volleyball's biggest stage.    Despite being just 5'6", Walker continues to be recruited as a collegiate outside hitter because of her ability to score, compete and impact matches from the pin. This six rotation outside hitter impacts every phase of the game. The Arkansas Select 17 Elite are preparing for the American Division at Nationals.   She has spent the break leading into Nationals focusing on individual skill work, continuing her recruiting efforts and enjoying additional time with her teammates. Walker credits Arkansas Select's success to a team wide commitment to defense and constant effort of improvement. As we get closer to Nationals, they have switched from individual skill work to team prep.   Preslie has an unwavering desire to succeed. What motivates her? Being underestimated. She consistently finds ways to tool the block, score around larger defenders, and power through blockers who expect her to play small.   Head Coach Michaela Biehslich says" Presli is a great example of our team's mentality. She is undersized for an outside hitter, but she wins with her volleyball IQ just as much as her athleticism."   While her competitiveness is obvious on the court, I can tell you from interviewing her, she remains remarkably humble off it. She would rather talk about her teammates than herself. For Walker, Indianapolis represents another opportunity to show that size doesn't define success.     [player_tooltip player_id='746203' first='Taylor' last='Wherry'] understands that success is earned. She is one of the top outside hitters in the state regardless of classification. Her [program_tooltip program_id='581540' first='501' last='Volley'] 16.1 squad is getting ready to compete in the Liberty division at Nationals.   "Our team's biggest focus before Nationals is putting in the work and preparing so we are ready for big moments in the games," says Wherry. Preparation, accountability, and being ready when the biggest moments arrive is what drives their work. Preparation extends beyond club practices. Taylor continues to invest time in her development through addition training opportunities at Mount St Mary's with her high school teammates.   Throughout the qualifier season, the 16.1 team faced the same reality that every successful team eventually learns: nothing at this level comes easy. With 7 top five finishes, and just missing out on a bid, 501 earned their bid at the Lonestar Classic in April. Wherry states, "One lesson we learned is that nothing is handed to you and you have to work for every game and every point."   As she prepares for Nationals, Wherry's goals are centered around consistency, leadership, and performing under pressure. "My goals for myself are to keep a good, locked-in mindset, be a reliable teammate, and show up when it really matters."   For Wherry one of the most exciting aspects of Nationals is the opportunity to compete against the elite teams across the country and test herself against the highest competition.     As EVA 16 National prepares for Nationals, Ryan Hampton believes fundamentals create success. The Class of 2028 middle blocker from Little Rock Central High School says the team's preparation has centered on strengthening the fundamentals that will allow them to compete against any opponent. EVA 16 National will be competing in the Freedom Division at Nationals.   "My team has been focusing a lot on basics and fundamentals so we can prepare for anything we come across at the net at Nationals," Hampton said. Away from practice, Hampton has been committed to improving her physical game while also taking an active role in her recruiting process.   "I've personally been working out and building my strength so I can stand out to coaches and across my team," she said. "Getting extra reps and also emailing college coaches so they can come see me play at the end of June.”   Heading to Nationals, Hampton has both team and individual goals in mind. "I've set goals to place high at Nationals and get our names on a banner for EVA," she said. "Also just to end our season off good and feel like we accomplished something." And if college coaches are watching she hopes they see her energy and effort first, then her smart decisions and blocking ability. She looks forward to seeing how she and her team stack up against some of the best players in the country.     While not playing club in Arkansas, Jonesboro Westside Libero [player_tooltip player_id='875255' first='Avery' last='Carter'] is heading to the American Division for Nationals with her Memphis Metro 15 Elite Black squad. She and her team are taking a simple approach: keep improving every day and embrace the challenge of competing against top competition.   "We are focused on continuing to strengthen all parts of our game," Carter said. "We work hard on serve receive, communication and keeping our energy high and consistent through each match."   Away from the team, Avery's preparation starts early. "I wake up early to work out with my trainer, then I like to do passing drills when I get home, " she said. "I also try and take as many private or group lessons as I can."   Avery and her teammates learned a big lesson during qualifier season. Adversity hits everyone, how you handle it is how you will be remembered. Carter said," We had some tough losses this season, but we kept working and trusted our coaches and training, which resulted in us earning our bid."   For a young libero, [player_tooltip player_id='875255' first='Avery' last='Carter'] shows she is willing to work on her own and with the team to ensure that they are ready for whatever challenges Nationals will bring.     For Conely Redditt, preparation means balancing recovery, film study, and additional reps. EVA 15 National enters Nationals prep healthy and focused on fundamentals, a philosophy that mirrors the message recently shared by EVA Director Tanja Eckart on the BDS Volleyball Podcast: championship teams never stop refining the basics. EVA 15 Nationals are playing in the American Division.   Redditt combines her high volleyball IQ, incredible athleticism, and intense desire to win to be one of the top liberos in the class of 2029. She is a strong defender, and she directs traffic on the court like a pro. When you talk to her, she comes across very mature and focused. Conley has spent significant time reviewing film from their qualifying season while also competing in open gyms against older athletes at Little Rock Christian Academy (including her sister 2027 Middle Allie).   One lesson from the Lone Star Qualifier continues to resonate with Redditt. After a sluggish start, EVA rallied together and won ten matches-including four on championship day-to earn their bid.   As a libero, Redditt embraces the responsibility of leading from the back row. "My job is to keep the energy going and help lead the team, no matter what happens." She hopes that coaches at Nationals notice her coachability, court awareness, and ability to control the floor through defense.     Isabella believes preparation and character go hand in hand. "The biggest focus for my team leading up to Nationals is for all of us to be healthy and for everyone to continue working hard every day. EVA 17 Elite have had to deal with their fair share of adversity, losing one of the better setters in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='763428' first='Mia' last='Adams']. But EVA has deep pool of talent and has been able to move forward. They will be competing in the Liberty Division.   Gonzales has focused on strength training and physical development outside of practice while embracing one message from the qualifier season. "Leave it all out on the court," states Gonzales. That message has been a guiding principle for the EVA 17 Elite as the team prepares for one last push for the title of National Champions.   Her focus remains on unity and teamwork. "To play as a team and fight as one." She leads with an infectious attitude and always has a smile on her face. But don't let that fool you. Isabella has fire to win and the ability and IQ to back it up.   When it comes to the recruiting aspect of Nationals, she hopes that coaches recognize her character, something she feels can't be coached. "I hope they see that I am always building my teammates up."   The best competition will be on display and EVA 17 Elite and [player_tooltip player_id='749859' first='Isabella' last='Gonzalez'] are ready to prove themselves. "The best volleyball I ever played always ends up being at Nationals. And any team from Arkansas always has something to prove!"

As USA Volleyball Nationals approaches, athletes across Arkansas are making their final preparations for the biggest event in club volleyball.