Runner-Up:

280 Kills | 440 Assists | 253 Digs | 50 Aces | 37 Blocks

If there was one player in Arkansas who meant more to her team than anyone else, I think you could make a pretty strong argument for Asa Perry Asa Perry 5'8" | S/DS/L Bauxite | 2028 State AR . I’ve talked all season about the four things I look for in a Player of the Year: individual performance, impact on team success, level of competition, and leadership and intangibles. Perry made a strong case in all four, but her value to Bauxite is what really stood out to me.

Individual Performance: Just look at her numbers. Perry finished with 280 kills, 440 assists, 253 digs, 50 aces and 37 blocks. That’s a lot of production from one player. She wasn’t simply a setter who occasionally attacked or a hitter who could set when needed. She was doing both regularly, along with contributing defensively. There aren’t many players in Arkansas who can match that kind of versatility.

Impact on Team Success: This is where I think Perry separated herself from just about everyone else. Bauxite finished 28-7, and I don’t think they come close to that record without her. She was involved in nearly every aspect of their offense. When they needed someone to put the ball away, she could do it. When they needed someone to run the offense, she could do that too. Take Perry out of that lineup and you’re not just replacing one position. You’re trying to replace several.

Level of Competition: Perry didn’t face the same week-to-week schedule as some of the players in the 6A West or Central, and I have to consider that, but Bauxite didn’t shy away from competition playing 5A and 6A teams. But she also couldn’t control who was on the other side of the net. What I wanted to see was whether she could continue producing when the competition improved and the stakes got higher. Her postseason run strengthened her case. That’s why I added postseason advancement to the final evaluation.

Leadership and Intangibles: I think there’s something to be said for a player who is trusted to handle so many responsibilities. Perry had to be ready to set, attack, defend and make decisions throughout a match. That’s a lot to put on one player, especially a junior. She handled those responsibilities while helping Bauxite put together an outstanding season. Her willingness and ability to fill whatever role the team needed says quite a bit about her.

When I went back through my four criteria, Perry had one of the strongest overall cases in Arkansas. She may not have led the state in any single statistical category, but I’m not sure anyone was asked to do more for her team.

We are lucky that we get to see the future Oregon State Beaver another year.

I have written about Asa quite a bit. Yeah it might get a little old…yes we all know, she’s an elite athlete, she can do it all, etc… It’s true. Perry is all that and more. Heading into club season, just ask her 501 teammates. Asa is willing to make the sacrifice play, willing to take the big swing, make the block or the assist. But she is so much more than that. She is a coach, cheerleader, phycologist on the floor. More than just a player, she makes everyone around her better. That is her X-Factor.

Saturday, she knew all eyes were on her when the match got tight. She was willing to take the big swing, win or lose, she’s going to step up. Her numbers this year have proven her an X-Factor. Saturday was no different.

State Championship Stats: 15 kills | 15 assists | 11 digs | 2 solo blocks | 1 block assist

Bauxite: 26-7 | 1st, 4A-5

Perry is one of those players where you need to look at the entire stat sheet. She’s got 227 kills, 379 assists and 217 digs. Add 45 aces, and you start to see just how much she’s contributing. She’s averaging nearly three kills, five assists and three digs per set. That’s a lot of responsibility.

Bauxite has put together a 26-7 record, and is my favorite to win the 4A title. Asa is one the top athletes in any sport in the state of Arkansas. Perry has guided a fairly young roster to the #1 seed, they face a stiff test in Westside today.

There is no doubt who the leader of the Miners is. With all that comes with hosting a tournament, it will be up to Perry to keep everyone focused. She has been there. Winning a Liberty Division National Championship with 501 Volley last season has given her the ability to take in the situation at hand and deliver. She has the talent around her, but it will be Perry leading the troops on the road to Hot Springs.

Perry has been filling up the stat sheet all season, and the regional tournament was no different.

The Bauxite junior and Prep Dig Player of the Year candidate hammered down 50 kills, averaging 4.5 per set while hitting .333. She also handed out 45 assists, picked up 32 digs and added 6 blocks.

Asa has ability to do just about everything on the court. But overall it’s her passion for the game that shines. All the physical tools and the leadership to go with it.

Other standouts were sophomores, Libero Ellye Bowman with 41 digs and DS Ema Ellington with 33 digs.

Utility

Asa is one of my favorite players in the state. Much like Olivia Ambeau Olivia Ambeau 6'0" | S/RS Cabot | 2028 State AR , she could excel at just about any spot on the court. She fits the utility role not because she is less talented at one position, but just the opposite. Perry is a gritty player who will do whatever her team needs and perform at an insanely high level. She recently reached 1,000 career assists and is closing in on 1,000 career kills and digs as well.

Season: 3.00 kills/set | 4.06 assists/set | 3.25 digs/set | 18 aces | 11 blocks

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.

“I truly don’t think I have seen someone as well rounded as her in the state so far…by next year she should hit 1,000 in kills, digs, and assist!” Bauxite Head Coach Haley Nelson said about Asa Perry Asa Perry 5'8" | S/DS/L Bauxite | 2028 State AR .

Perry and the Lady Miners are off to a great start at 15-2 overall and 3-0 in the 4A-5. This week, Perry added another accomplishment to an already impressive career by reaching 1,000 career assists.

If you were building a volleyball player, she’d end up as Asa Perry Asa Perry 5'8" | S/DS/L Bauxite | 2028 State AR . She has all the shots in her bag to be a dominant pin hitter, the timing and athleticism of a middle for blocking, the volleyball IQ and soft hands to be a top-level setter, and the quickness and passing ability to play libero. She is an all-in-one package.

The best thing about Perry, though, is her attitude. She’s grounded in her faith, has a team-first mentality and a relentless work ethic.

Congratulations, Asa, on an amazing accomplishment.

Season Stats: 32 Sets | 18 Aces | 93 Kills | 11 Blocks | 104 Digs | 130 Assists

I have written a lot about Asa Perry Asa Perry 5'8" | S/DS/L Bauxite | 2028 State AR , 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.

There isn’t a player who is more important to her team’s success than Asa Perry Asa Perry 5'8" | S/DS/L Bauxite | 2028 State AR is to Bauxite. That isn’t a reflection of the Lady Miners lacking talent—it’s simply because players like Asa are nearly impossible to replace. She could step into any position on the court and never miss a beat. The Oregon State commit is, in my opinion, the best overall athlete in Arkansas volleyball. She is a workout warrior with a tremendous understanding of the game and an unmatched competitive drive. She is one of the state’s top setters, attacks from either pin like one of its best hitters, plays elite-level defense, and embraces every challenge the game presents.

Volleyball is the ultimate team sport, and no single player can win matches alone. What Asa does better than almost anyone is elevate everyone around her. She raises the level of her teammates simply by the way she competes.

The play that best illustrated her mentality came on the second day of camp. She repeatedly dove across the floor to keep rallies alive. She didn’t have to. It was preseason, and most players are thinking about staying healthy. But that’s not how Perry is wired. When the whistle blows, she plays every point at full speed, exactly the way the game is meant to be played.

If I were building a team today, Asa Perry Asa Perry 5'8" | S/DS/L Bauxite | 2028 State AR would be the first player I’d call.