Valley Views Big Week.

Every once in a while, I will get a piece of advice from a coach, a parent or another writer. But today, I got some unsolicited advice from Kate Calhoon Kate Calhoon 5'9" | MB/OH Valley View | 2027 AR . She sent me a DM on Instagram that said, “Game of the Week should be Marion and Valley View tomorrow at Valley View!!”

Now, I like players being bold and asking for the spotlight. Well, Kate, I was one step ahead of you. It was already going to be my Game of the Week.

But let’s take a look at why, because there are some REALLY GREAT matchups this week. We have the return match between Har-Ber and Fayetteville, a revenge game for the Lady Bulldogs. There is Cotter looking to extend its streak against Omaha, Searcy vs. Harding Academy, Conway vs. Greenbrier, Baptist Prep vs. Bauxite, Bentonville vs. Bentonville West, and Westside vs. Pocahontas.

So why Marion vs. Valley View? Well, let’s talk about it.

Valley View has been on a tremendous hot streak, winning 14 straight since a loss to Brookland. The Blazers got some revenge for that one with a 2-1 win over the Bearcats at the Lakeside Tournament. That is the only set they have dropped during this streak.

Who handed Valley View its other loss this year? That’s right. Marion.

It was a tight 3-1 loss at the hands of the top team in the 5A-East. Kendall Brown Kendall Brown 5'8" | OH/MB Marion | 2027 State AR lit up the Blazers for 24 kills that night. Another challenge for Valley View was serve receive, as the Blazers gave up 13 aces. Alli Sharp Alli Sharp L Marion | 2027 State AR had six of them.

Marlee Williams Marlee Williams 5'10" | MB/RS Marion | 2027 AR put down 11 kills, with Taylor Ruffin adding another 10. Those two also combined for six blocks on the night.

Now the match shifts to Valley View.

Will the home crowd help push the Blazers to avenge their only other loss of the season? Will they sit atop the 5A-East, tied with the defending state champs with one conference loss apiece? Will Peyton Prater Peyton Prater 5'8" | OH/DS/L Valley View | 2027 State AR , Lynnli Jo Thomas Lynnli Jo Thomas 5'7" | DS/L Valley View | 2027 AR , Meredith Supine Meredith Supine 5'11" | MB/RS Valley View | 2028 AR and the rest of Valley View be ready?

We find out tomorrow.

That’s why Marion at Valley View is the Prep Dig Game of the Week. Can’t wait.

1-0 Defeated Brookland 3-0

Kate Calhoon Kate Calhoon 5'9" | MB/OH Valley View | 2027 AR is coming off a junior season where she put down 305 kills in 100 sets while hitting an impressive .357. Calhoon is efficient, experienced, and gives Valley View a player they can turn to when they need a point. She can attack from multiple spots across the front row, making her a tough matchup to prepare for.

The Lady Blazers also get senior Peyton Prater Peyton Prater 5'8" | OH/DS/L Valley View | 2027 State AR back after an injury ended her season early last year. Add seniors Lynnli Jo Thomas Lynnli Jo Thomas 5'7" | DS/L Valley View | 2027 AR and Mary Kate Rees, along with juniors Carleigh Cullen, who also battled an injury this summer, and Meredith Supine Meredith Supine 5'11" | MB/RS Valley View | 2028 AR , and Valley View has plenty of experience surrounding Calhoon.

There may be a little extra motivation in this one as well. Marion got the better of Valley View twice last season, winning 3-1 and then surviving a 3-2 battle. The Lady Blazers haven’t forgotten. They are healthy, experienced, and ready to give the defending champs all they want this time around.

Kate Calhoon Kate Calhoon 5'9" | MB/OH Valley View | 2027 AR put together a big junior season for Valley View, finishing with 305 kills in 100 sets while hitting an impressive .357. I look for Valley View to be a challenger in the 5A-East and they will give teams fits.

Calhoon brings a lot of versatility to the Lady Blazers’ front row. She can play all three spots, has a quick arm, and does a great job of finding different ways to score. I’ve watched her go against bigger blocks and it doesn’t seem to bother her. She’ll change the angle, find the seam, or just go right after them.

Now she’s a senior, and Valley View will be counting on her even more. After 305 kills last season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see that number climb. If the Lady Blazers are making a run to Hot Springs, expect Calhoon to be right in the middle of it and firmly in the Player of the Year conversation.