SBLive's Arkansas all-state volleyball team (2023)
Winning state championships is a way of life in Fayetteville, where the Lady Bulldogs have won eight state titles under head coach Jessica Phelan.
This year, the Lady Bulldogs won their fourth in a row and while all state championships are special, this one was unique. Fayetteville returned one starter, senior Reagan Harp, from a team that went 37-2 year ago and did not lose a set to an in-state team. Fayetteville had six players — Kennedy Phelan (Florida State), Madeline Lafata (Dartmouth), Brooke Rockwell (Stanford), Mia Baedeke (John Brown), Ella Weilert (Central Arkansas) and Meg Gebhart (Rhodes) — sign college scholarships.
So, instead of heading for a down season, the Lady Bulldogs (25-8) added to its proud tradition by winning another state championship along with a 6A-West Conference title. While the Lady Bulldogs didn’t dominate at the level they did in 2022, but they were good enough to win a state championship. Fayetteville continued to play a tough non-conference schedule as seven of their eight losses came to teams outside the state. Their 38-match winning streak against in-state competition came to an end with a 3-1 loss to Springdale Har-Ber on Oct. 26. Their 3-2 victory over Conway in the state championship game featured a fifth game that went down to the wire with 10 ties and five lead changes before Reagan Harp and Isabella Street had kills to end it.
As a result, Jessica Phelan, who has been coaching at Fayetteville for 20 years with a 475-179-9 record, is SB Live Arkansas’ volleyball coach of the year.
“It is an honor to be named the volleyball coach of the year, and I am grateful for the collective efforts put forth by our dedicated volleyball staff and team,” said Jessica Phelan. “This achievement reflects the commitment, hard work, and shared passion that defines our remarkable 2023 journey together.”
Fayettevile head coach Jessica Phelan (Photo by Tommy Land)
Jessica Phelan said this group of players maintained the attitude that they would win a state title and were ready to show what they were capable of after waiting their turn.
“You know, they just have this grit about them that even from the beginning when we went to camps, it was the attitude we could get it done,” said Phelan after winning the state title on Oct. 28.
While Jessica Phelan is coach of the year, Fayetteville’s Regan Harp is player of the year and Paragould’s Ava Beasley is newcomer of the year.
The SB Live All-Arkansas volleyball team is selected by the SB Live Arkansas staff. Players are nominated by their coaches and selections are based on their performance during the 2023 season along with information provided by the coaches and observations by the SB Live staff throughout the season. Each team has nine players: three outside hitters, three middle blockers, one setter, one libero and one 6-rotation player (a player who possess excellent skills in all categories: attacking, blocking, serving and digging). The newcomer team has nine players consisting of freshman who played in at least half of their team’s varsity matches on the season and sophomores who are in their first year of varsity action.
FIRST TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Fayetteville's Regan Harp (Photo by Tommy Land)
Regan Harp, 6-1 senior outside hitter, Fayetteville
Harp was named MVP of the Class 6A state tournament with 29 kills in a 3-2 victory over Conway. She was an all-state and all-state tournament selection and earned all-region honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She signed with Central Arkansas and finished the season with 587 kills, 33 aces and 274 digs.
Harp found herself as the target of opposing defenses as the next closest player — Ella Bryan — on the Lady Bulldogs had 288 kills. In addition, her 587 kills represented 49.7 percent of the Lady Bulldogs’ 1,180. Despite the attention from defenses and the fact the opposition knew where the ball was going, she consistently produced.
“Regan Harp's exceptional talent and banner senior season have earned her the title of the state's volleyball player of the year,” said Jessica Phelan. “As a coach, witnessing her skills and leadership develop on the court has been an inspiring journey, and this recognition is a testament to her outstanding career as a Bulldog. The first four-time state champion in our school's history. She has left her mark on Fayetteville volleyball.”
Madison Crum, 5-9 junior outside hitter, Greenbrier
Crum had 505 kills and 291 digs while earning all-state honors and committing to Missouri State. “Madison was our ‘go-to’ hitter this year and carried that extremely well. Even with teams focusing on stopping her, she still notched 505 kills for the year. Beyond her stats, Madison brought out the best in her teammates and that is really what makes her such a valuable player,” said Greenbrier head coach Katie Huff.
Miya McCoy, 5-10 senior, outside hitter, Greenwood
McCoy had 496 kills with 102 aces, 34 blocks, 337 digs and 39 assists for the Lady Bulldogs, who reached the Class 5A state finals. McCoy, who signed with Bradley, earned all-state, all-state tournament honors and was nominated for the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star game.
Tori Otter, 6-2 junior middle blocker, Bentonville
Otter had 350 kills and 120 blocks while earning all-state honors and being named to the Bentonville Early Bird Tournament team. She had one match with 24 kills, two with 20 and two matches with 10 blocks.
Khenedi Guest, 5-11 senior middle blocker, Benton
Guest had 295 kills, 105 blocks, 23 aces and 71 digs for the Lady Panthers, who won the Class 5A state championship. The all-state honoree signed with Illinois State.
Lydia Pitts, junior middle blocker, Fort Smith Southside
Pitts is a middle blocker but displayed a variety of skills for Lady Mavericks. She led the team in aces with 36, blocks with 99 and assists with 459. She was second on the team in kills with 291 and third in digs with 213 and was an all-around threat said Fort Smith Southside head coach Natalie Throneberry.
Chloe Rodriguez, 5-11 junior setter, Brookland
Rodriguez had 1,057 total assists, 109 kills, 269 digs, 52 aces and 31 blocks for the Bearcats, who repeated as Class 4A state champions. She also earned all-state and all-state tournament team honors. “Chloe excelled in many areas outside of being a setter,” said Brookland head coach Nancy Rodriguez. “She ran a very efficient and balanced offense and was key to our success this season.”
Kim Quinit, 5-5 senior libero, Conway
Quinit, who signed with Drury (Mo.) University, was named all-region by the AVCA while earning all-state honors. Despite missing five matches with tendinitis, she had 350 digs with 81 assists and 41 aces.
“Kim brings a fiery dynamic to the court with her extreme hustle,” said Conway head coach Laura Crow. “She works extremely hard in the classroom, in the weight room, watching game film, and always strives to be better at what she does. She might be the smallest player on the court but is one of the strongest in the weight room. Her ball control and hustle on defense have kept us in many matches this year and she is constantly communicating with her teammates about things during play and what we need to do to get better.”
Megan Smith, 5-11, senior, six rotation, Conway
Smith, who signed with South Alabama was an honorable mention All-American by the AVCA along AVCA all-region and all-state honors. She had 306 kills, with 37 aces, 27 blocks and 204 digs in helping lead the Lady Wampus Cats to the Class 6A finals.
“Megan works extremely hard on the court and has really focused on her ball control and defense to become a better back row player allowing her to play six rotations,” said Crow. “She has been a 3-year starter for us and a force on the front row. She has grown into a solid player that contributes for us every game. She has a great heart for her team and has been a great leader for our program.”
SECOND TEAM
Reese Ricketts, 6-2 senior outside hitter, Harrison
Ricketts, who has committed to North Alabama, led the Lady Goblins with 447 kills. She had 37 blocks, 220 digs, and 30 aces. She was named to the AVCA all-region team, was MVP of the 5A-West, earning all-state honors in leading the Lady Goblins to the state semifinals. “Reese Ricketts has a drive to win and is noticed by athletes and coaches who have come across her and have seen her play. She is a rare athlete with her strength, powerhouse hitting, IQ of the game, and also her all around skills on the court. She is a triple threat with her serve-receive, back row defense, as well as being equally effective in the front row. She is not easily phased by her opponent, as she recognizes their talent and charges on with her team alongside her,” said Harrison head coach April Mattix.
Baptist Prep's Abigail Renshaw (Photo by Tommy Land)
Abigail Renshaw, 5-11 senior outside hitter, Baptist Prep
Renshaw, who signed with Drury (Mo.) University was named MVP of the Class 3A state tournament and earned all-state and all-state tournament team honors. During the season, she had 509 kills and hit .345 with 227 digs, 95 aces. She had a season-high 24 kills in a 3-0 victory over Hackett in the state championship match. She had a season-high 12 digs in a 3-1 victory over Little Rock Central.
Makenzie Freeman, 6-1 junior, outside hitter, Hackett
Freeman earned all-state and all-state tournament honors in leading the Lady Hornets to the Class 3A state finals. She led the Lady Hornets in aces with 102, had 421 kills while hitting .327 with 268 digs, 27 blocks and 49 assists. “When we needed a play, we always counted on Makenzie to get it done,” said Hackett head coach Bridget Freeman. “Although she has committed to play softball at Tulsa University and is an amazing pitcher, she is equally talented as a volleyball player.”
Audrey Pender, 6-1 junior middle blocker, Shiloh Christian
Pender had 343 kills with a .332 hitting percentage. She added 73 blocks, 62 digs and 49 aces while earning all-state and all-state tournament honors. “Audrey had to sit out last season due to the AAA transfer rule from public to private school, and she showed us quickly what we were missing last season with her prowess at the net. She is so smart and consistent, and an emotional leader for our team,” said Shiloh Christian head coach Nathan Bodenstein.
Journey Peppers, 6-4 junior middle blocker, White Hall
Peppers, who committed to Arkansas before the season, finished the season with 84 blocks. She had a .302 hitting percentage and had 35 aces.
Alyson Edwards, 5-11 senior middle blocker, Mansfield
Edwards was named MVP of the Class 2A state tournament after leading Mansfield to a fourth-consecutive state championship. She finished the season with 400 kills, 69 aces, 286 digs and 81 blocks while earning all-state and all-state tournament honors and being nominated for the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game.
Quincy Schaffer, 5-9 senior setter, Fayetteville
Schaffer followed Kennedy Phelan, the reigning player of the year and high school All-American and had a great season with 962 assists with a career-high 47 in the 6A state-championship over Conway. She had 251 digs with a season-high 16 in a 3-0 victory over Fort Smith Southside. She also had 46 aces with a season-high 6 in a victory over Springdale. She earned all-state tournament honors and is on the AVCA watch list.
“Quincy waited her turn to take the reigns of our offense and did not disappoint in her senior campaign, averaging 10 assists per set and playing with a calm confidence that reflected on our squad,” said Jessica Phelan. “As a setter, her location and decision making were excellent all season and I could not be prouder of how she embraced every day of her senior season.”
Bella Bonanno, 5-7 junior libero, Shiloh Christian
Bonanno, who committed to Ole Miss had 496 digs, 90 aces and 87 assists while earning all-state and all-state tournament honors. “Bella was the captain of the back row and was such a leader vocally as well as how she played this year. She was consistent and steady. She is nearing 2,000 digs in her career, and that speaks to how well she sees the court and how consistent she has been for us. She is an elite player that makes it look easy,” said Bodenstein.
Benton's Isabella Lagemann (Photo by Tommy Land)
Isabella Lagemann, 5-8 junior, six rotation, Benton
Lagemann, who was named MVP of the Class 5A state tournament, showed a variety of skills in helping the Lady Panthers win a second consecutive state title. She had 235 kills while hitting .268 with 54 aces, 239 digs, 237 assists and 68 blocks and has committed to playing at LSU.
NEWCOMER TEAM
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Ava Beasley, 5-10 freshman outside hitter/setter, Paragould
With Middle blockers Mikayla Lambert and Dixie Williams sidelined with torn ACLs, Beasley stepped in as a freshman didn’t play like one said Paragould head coach Reed Fogleman. She finished with season with 450 kills while hitting .234 with 31 blocks, 294 assists and 347 digs. She earned all-state, all-state tournament honors and was named to the AVCA’s phenom watch list. “She sees the floor well, and developed some different shots throughout the season to help her score around the numerous defenses and triple blocks that were thrown at her.
“To coach a player with the caliber of talent that Ava already has as a freshman is a privilege. She stepped up big for us in many games this season. Her work ethic, competitiveness, IQ of the game, and love for her team make her a special player that our program is fortunate to have. She's going to be an exciting player to watch over the next three years!”
Michaelyn Freeman, 6-0 sophomore outside hitter, Hackett
Freeman was promoted as a freshman for the district and state tournament. In her first, full-time season on the varsity level, she finished with 433 kills, 274 digs, 60 aces, 61 assists and 19 blocks. She earned all-state honors and was was named to the all-tournament team at the Fort Smith Invitational. “This year, she has absolutely killed it out there as a sophomore. Michaelyn is one of the strongest and fastest athletes on the court at any time. She is a very explosive player who can put the ball down, puts up a huge block, and has great speed to track down a ball defensively,” said Bridget Freeman.
Chloe Blessing, 5-9 sophomore outside hitter, Shiloh Christian
Blessing had 474 kills with a .232 hitting percentage, 21 assists, 29 blocks and 284 digs. “Chloe was thrown into a 6-rotation starting position and played a key role all season for us. She had to carry a heavy load for her first varsity season and played extremely well and didn't look like a sophomore,” said Bodenstein.
Izzy Sategna, 5-9 freshman middle blocker, Fayetteville
Sategna stepped in and had 91 blocks and 110 kills for the state-champion Lady Bulldogs. She had 6 blocks in a 3-1 loss to Springdale Har-Ber and in 3-0 victory over Bentonville West.
Grace Jennings, 5-11 freshman middle hitter, Harrison
Jennings had 91 blocks, 131 kills while hitting .216 for the Lady Goblins and earning all-conference honors. “Grace contributed to a conference championship team and advanced to the semifinals. This group also beat a strong group of girls that we admire in Valley View. Her blocking skills helped us along the way,” said Mattix.
Kendall Brown, 5-8 freshman middle blocker, Marion
Brown had 250 kills, 50 blocks and 22 digs for the Lady Patriots, earning all-conference honors for a team that won the 5A-East with a 14-0 record. “Kendall provides spunk and fire when she is in the game,” said Marion head coach Lisa Beasley. “We have seen her hits and blocks go off opponents heads. Although not the tallest middle, she has an unbelievable vertical and hang time. I have been in the direction of her hits and serves and when she unleashes, you do not want to be on the receiving end. We are excited to see how she continues to improve and elevate her game.”
Bonnie Fagan, 5-9 sophomore middle hitter, Valley View
Fagan had 163 kills, 29 aces, 37 assists, 322 digs and led the Blazers with 41 blocks.
Ella Shelby, sophomore libero, Fort Smith Southside
Shelby had 385 digs, including a season-high 30 in a victory over Fort Smith Northside and 16 aces on the season. “She competed for time as libero or defensive specialist early on and solidified her role as libero by mid-September,” said Throneberry. “She anchored our back row and continued to get better as the season progressed.”
Miranda Leslie, 5-1 sophomore libero, Mayflower
Leslie had 561 digs on the season with 60 aces and 56 assists on the season. “I have done this 25 years, she is simply the best libero I have coached, and is one of the most coachable,” said Mayflower head coach Monty Smith. “In 2019 I was fortunate enough to win a state championship at Episcopal. The MVP of the state was my libero. Miranda is better than her, right now. She is incredibly hard working and selfless. She wants to be great, but does not care about being a star. The most important stat for her is if we won or not. She would have started for any team in our conference, including Baptist Prep. She would have started against any opponent we played, and that includes the 6A schools. I won’t argue for any team in the state, I haven’t seen all of them, but she would give any a run for their money."
