Arkansas' top high school volleyball players: Meet the state's best outside hitters

Some of the state's top outside hitters

They represent the glamour position in volleyball, the one that fans see the most. They are the players who fans see jump in the air and take that big swing and spike the ball with authority over the net, hoping it hits the floor or bounces off their opponent for the kill, giving their team one point. They are the outside hitters. 

Who are the best outside hitters in Arkansas high school volleyball? Here is a list along with comments from their coaches. 

Jetta Broquard, senior, Siloam Springs 

Broquard led the Lady Panthers in kills (168) during the 2022 season. “Jetta has adjusted well to the change in coaching staff, and she has proven herself to be competitive and a dynamic player,” said Siloam Springs head coach Carrie Thammarath. “She is a leader and a motivator on the court, and she works hard to do what it takes to get the next point. She is a smart, yet aggressive hitter, which is a great combination to have. She has developed a strong ability to read the court and place her hits in strategic spots. Through Oct. 9, Broquard has 188 kills with .112 hitting percentage and has contributed 22 aces. She has 10 matches with at least 10 kills, including a career-high 15 in a 3-2 victory over Carthage, Mo., on Aug. 31.

Madison Crum, junior, Greenbrier

Crum is a two-year starter, who earned all-state and all-state tournament honors while leading the Lady Panthers with 314 kills and 49 aces in 2022. “Madison is a great player, but an even better teammate,” said Greenbrier head coach Katie Huff. “She makes the girls around her better. We are looking forward to watching that develop this season.” Through Oct. 9, she had 490 kills on the season and is closing on the 1,000 career mark. She committed to playing at Missouri State. Some of her highlights this season include a match with 27 kills and 19 digs in a 3-2 victory over Alma on Sept. 19; a career-high 32 kills in a 3-2 victory over Van Buren on Sept. 5; and 29 kills in a 3-2 victory over Vilonia on Aug. 31.

Gabriela DuPree, senior, Fort Smith Southside

DuPree is a two-year starter had 302 kills and 343 digs. Head coach Natalie Throneberry has described her as one who continues to sharpen her skills in the front row and back row. Through Oct. 9, she has 281 kills and is hitting .255 on the season along with 270 digs and 28 aces. Some of her highlights this season include 14 kills in a 3-0 victory over Rogers Heritage on Sept. 12; 15 kills, 12 digs and 2 blocks in a 3-0 victory over Bentonville on Sept. 7; 11 kills and 10 digs in a 3-0 victory over Springdale Har-Ber on Sept. 5; 12 kills and 18 digs in a 3-0 victory over Shiloh Christian on Sept. 2; 13 kills and 17 digs in a 3-0 victory over Benton on the same day; 16 kills and 13 digs in a 3-0 victory over Greenwood on Aug. 31; and 15 kills in a 3-0 victory over Rogers on Aug. 29; and 16 kills and 14 digs in a 3-1 victory over Bentonville West on Aug. 24; and 19 kills and 12 digs in a 3-0 victory over Van Buren on Aug. 22.

Makenzie Freeman, junior, Hackett

Freeman led the Lady Hornets with 283 kills and 286 digs, adding 56 aces while earning all-state and all-state tournament honors last year. “She is a dominant six-rotation player for us,” said Hackett head coach Bridget Freeman. “We we look to her again this year to dominate on the outside.” Through Oct. 9, she has 286 kills while hitting .307 with 81 aces. She has 11 matches with at least 10 kills, including a season-high 19 in a 3-0 victory over Lincoln on Oct. 5; and 4 matches with at least 10 digs including a season-high 15 in a 1-1 tie against Marion at the Lakeside Invitational; and had 10 aces against Green Forest in a 3-0 victory over Green Forest on Sept. 21.

Michaelyn Freeman, sophomore, Hackett

Freeman moved up from the junior high team last year in time for the district tournament and had 5 blocks and 7 digs in the district and state tournament. “She is a powerhouse on the outside. She is extremely quick and will provide us with great ball control in defense and serve receive. She played junior high ball as a seventh grader and won conference and district all 3 years of junior high and then moved up as a ninth grader to senior high and won district and runners-up in state. Her club volleyball team traveled to Chicago this summer and finished third in nationals, so she brings a lot of experience,” said Hackett head coach Bridget Freeman. Through Oct. 9, she has 319 kills, 45 aces and 184 digs. She has topped 10 kills in 18 matches with a season-high 18 kills and 11 digs in a 3-0 victory over Paris on Sept. 26. She had a season-high 6 aces in a 3-0 victory over Lincoln on Oct. 5.

Regan Harp, senior, Fayetteville

Harp committed to Central Arkansas and is the one returning starter from last year’s team which won its third consecutive state championship. In 2022, she had 223 kills and hit .393 with 28 aces and 106 digs. Head coach Jessica Phelan has described her as a versatile hitter, who can play multiple positions across the net at high level and has excellent ball control and is a force at the net. Through Oct. 9, she has 413 kills and is hitting .238 with 27 aces and 190 digs and recently topped the 1,000 kills in her career. In a 3-0 victory over previously undefeated Fort Smith Southside on Sept. 14, she had 25 kills, 15 digs and 3 blocks. She has 4 matches with at least 25 kills and 8 matches with at least 10 digs, including a season-high 17 in a 3-1 victory over Bentonville on Aug. 29.

Jules Johnson, sophomore, Episcopal Collegiate

Johnson averaged 8 kills, 7 digs and 4 aces per set for the Wildcats who reached the 3A quarterfinals a year ago. She was the team’s captain and was named all-conference and all-state. “She is a phenomenal teammate, player, and leader all the way around,” said Episcopal Collegiate head coach Paige Gantar. Through Oct. 9, she has 146 kills and is hitting .144 with 139 digs and 55 aces. She had 14 kills, 10 digs and 6 aces in a 3-0 victory over Maumelle Charter on Sept. 14. She had 10 kills and 10 digs in a 3-0 victory over Atkins on Sept. 19. She had 12 kills and 16 digs in a 3-2 victory over Mayflower on Sept. 11. She had 11 kills and 14 digs in a 3-0 victory over Perryville on Sept. 25.

Reese Jones, Shiloh Christian

Jones earned all-state honors with 199 kills, 436 assists, 175 digs and 39 aces for the Lady Saints. “We will be looking for her to continue her prowess on the outside,” said Shiloh Christian head coach Nathan Bodenstien. Despite being out of the lineup with injuries since Sept. 21, she has 109 kills on the season and is hitting .187 with 35 digs and 10 aces. She has 4 matches with at least 10 kills, including a season-high 13 in a 3-0 victory over Rogers on Aug. 21. She had a season-high 6 aces in a 3-0 victory over Ozark on Aug. 31. Bodenstein hopes to have her back by the time the state tournament begins on Oct. 24.

Isabella Lagemann, junior, Benton

Lagemann, who is committed to LSU’s beach volleyball program, averaged 4.9 kills and 0.9 blocks per game for the Lady Panthers, who won the 5A state title. “Isabella Lagemann is going to be used as a setter from the back row. She begins with a powerful top spin serve. On the front row she puts up an intimidating block. As she swings, we will use her from both the right side and outside. She provides leadership to our team,” said Benton head coach Michelle Shoppach. Through Oct. 9, she has 159 kills while hitting with 156 digs and 38 aces. She had a season-high 18 kills and 22 digs in a 3-2 victory over Shiloh Christian on Sept. 2. In a 3-1 victory over previously unbeaten Brookland on Sept. 18, she had 12 kills, 6 blocks, 13 digs and 11 assists.

Madie Belle Landry, senior, Hot Springs Lakeside MXTE

Landry is a two-time all-state and all-state tournament selection. Lakeside head coach Rhonda Thigpen said she is a power hitter and has developed more shot to add to her game. Thigpen said she is a strong blocker and can to the back row to attack as well, She has committed to Ouachita Baptist. She had 28 kills and 22 digs in victories over Sheridan and Texarkana on Sept. 12 and 14. In five matches at the Lakeside MXTE Invitational, she had 58 kills, 38 digs, 6 blocks and 2 aces in what Thigpen called “one of her best events.” She had 25 kills and 19 digs in victories over Sheridan and White Hall, Oct. 3 and 5.

Laney Marsh, sophomore, Episcopal Collegiate

Marsh averaged 6 kills, 3 aces and 6 digs per set for the Wildcats who reached the 3A quarterfinals a year ago. “Laney Marsh is a returning sophomore who is unbelievably versatile. She started as a freshman and continues to play all the way around,” said Lady Wildcats head coach Paige Gantar. “She can step into any position and perform at the highest level. This year she is holding her own as a middle blocker playing all the way around but will sometimes play outside hitter or back up setter if needed. She is not a floor captain but demonstrates leadership from her actions both on and off the court. Laney was All-Conference as a freshman.” Through Oct. 9, she has 188 kills with 224 digs and 41 aces. She had a season-high 21 kills and 16 digs in a 3-2 victory over Mayflower on Sept. 12. She had 14 kills and 15 digs in a 3-2 victory over Bauxite on Aug. 21.

Myia McCoy, senior, Greenwood

McCoy is a four-year starter, who earned all-state honors as a sophomore. She had 436 kills while hating .300 with 15 aces, 74 blocks and 208 digs in helping lead the Bulldogs to the 5A quarterfinals. “Myia raises our team to another level,” said Greenwood head coach Jennifer Golden. “She is a dynamic athlete with a quick arm swing. She reads the court well offensively and is a rally ender for us. She will be a 6-rotation player for us this year and is set to have an amazing year.” Through Oct. 9, she is hitting .292 with 304 kills, 206 digs, 32 blocks, 23 aces and 34 assists. She has 3 matches with at least 22 kills, including a season-high 26 in a 3-1 victory over Springdale Har-Ber on Aug. 24. She has 8 matches with at least 10 digs, including a season-high 21 twice, She did it in a 3-0 loss to Russellville on Sept. 5 and in a 3-1 loss to Harrison on Oct. 5.

Aubrie McGhee, sophomore, Van Buren

McGhee finished with 384 kills last year for the Lady Pointers as a freshman. “Aubrie McGhee is a sophomore who played with the high school as a ninth grader last year, but don't let her youth fool you,” said Van Buren head coach Brent Reeves. “She came in swinging, leading our team in kills with 384, third in aces. She will also play significant on the back row as well. She’s a very hard worker.”

Ellie Morgan, sophomore, Harding Academy

As a freshman, Morgan had 55 kills, 55 digs and 16 blocks for the Lady Wildcats who reached the Class 3A quarterfinals. “Ellie has really stepped up her game in all facets and has made herself a player that we can't go without,” said Harding Academy head coach Matt Francis. “Her improvement especially in her physical capabilities along with her improved serve receive has really made her into a six rotation player.

Annabelle Perry, junior, Paris

Perry had 210 kills and 41 aces for the Lady Eagles, who reached the 3A quarterfinals a year ago.

Evan Polsgrove, junior, Brookland

Polsgrove had 350 kills for Brookland, earning all-state honors for the 4A state champions. Head coach Nancy Rodriguez said she has as much potential as anyone on the court. “She is a very dynamic, versatile player who can hit in any position and can make plays when you need it. Her future is very bright,” said Rodriguez. Through Oct. 9, she has 280 kills while hitting .265 with 27 aces and 195 digs. She had a season-high 17 kills in a 3-1 victory over Valley View on Sept. 5. She had a season-high 4 aces a 3-1 victory over Batesville Southside on Sept. 21 and a season-high 18 digs in a 3-1 victory over Marion on Oct. 2.

Abby Renshaw, junior outside hitter, Baptist Prep

Renshaw had 350 kills, 103 assists and 145 digs for the Lady Eagles, who won the Class 3A state championship and has committed to playing at Drury University in Springfield, Mo. “In my 23 years of coaching Abby is one of the best all-around players I have ever coached. We are looking to her this year for leadership on and off the court. She is an amazing volleyball player but most importantly she is even more outstanding young lady. We will also be looking to Abby because she has experience playing volleyball at a very high level. She will definitely be our go to girl,” said Baptist Prep head coach Krista Spoon. Through Oct. 9, she has 376 kills while hitting .320. She has 84 aces and 175 digs. She had a season-high 19 kills in a 3-0 victory over Greenwood on Sept. 23 and in a 3-0 victory over Bryant on Sept. 25. She had a season-high 11 aces in a 3-0 victory over over Perryville on Sept. 14 and had a season-high 12 digs in a 3-1 victory over Little Rock Central on Aug. 29.

Reece Ricketts, senior, Harrison

Ricketts has 302 kills, 164 digs and 16 aces for the Lady Goblins, who are leading the 5A-West Conference. In her career, she has 909 kills. “We are trying to get her to 1,000 kills,” said Harrison head coach April Mattix. “We like making sure we get her the ball.” Eight times this season, she has topped 20 kills in a match with a season-high 32 in a 3-2 loss to Greenwood on Sept. 12. She had 28 in a 3-1 victory over Mountain Home on Sept. 7 while adding 25 digs. She had 26 in a 3-1 victory over Greenwood on Oct. 5. She had 23 digs in a 3-0 victory over Greenbrier on Sept. 14. She had a season-high 4 aces in a 3-0 victory over Alma on Sept. 28

Avary Smith, junior, Van Buren

Smith had 380 kills last year for the Lady Pointers, who reached the semifinals. “She is doing a outstanding job as one of our team captains this year,” said Van Buren head coach Brent Reeves. “She was second in kills on our team (380 but only four behind our leader), and second in aces. She is also had a great spring as a defensive player on the back row, so she is going to be busy this year. She’s very focused and a hard worker.” Through September, despite some nagging injuries, she has 151 kills, averaging 10.8 per game with 94 digs on the season.

Maddie Smith, senior, Brookland

Smith had 331 kills and hit .400 for the 4A state champion Brookland Lady Bearcats and earned all-state honors the past two years. While she stands 5-feet, 4-inches tall, she has a 29-inch vertical jump. “When most competitors see her, they dismiss her ability, until they see her jump and swing. Maddie has worked hard this off season to earn a spot as a six-rotation player. She’s one of the hardest workers on any court,” said Brookland head coach Nancy Rodriguez. Through Oct. 9, she has 247 kills while hitting .341 with 109 digs. She had a season-high 17 kills in a 3-1 victory over Valley View on Sept. 5 and has 9 matches with at least 10 kills. She had a season-high 11 digs in a 3-0 victory over Wynne on Sept. 28

Megan Smith, senior, Conway

Smith has committed to South Alabama and had 314 kills and 24 blocks a year ago for the Lady Wampus Cats, who finished 31-3 and reached the state semifinals for the second consecutive year. “Megan is a very strong presence for us in the front row,” said Conway head coach Laura Crow. “She has continued to improve her attacking skills and has an arsenal of shots she has worked hard to develop.” Through Oct. 9, she has 235 kills while hitting .233 and has 138 digs, 18 blocks and 21 aces. She has 14 matches with at least 10 kills including a season-high 18 in a 3-0 victory over Fort Smith Northside on Sept. 12. She had a season-high 4 aces in a 3-0 victory over North Little Rock on Sept. 28. She has 5 matches with at least 10 digs including a season-high 13 in a 3-1 victory over Cabot on Sept. 7.

Kynslee Ward, senior, Mansfield

Ward was major factor in helping the Lady Tigers win their third consecutive Class 2A state title a year ago with her defense and hard hitting on the front row.. Head coach Kaylie Andrews said, “She is a dominating hitter not only on the front row, but also the back row and she makes huge plays on defense.”

Abby Wertz, junior Vilonia

Wertz has 138 kills, 159 digs, 26 aces and 18 blocks for the Lady Eagles this season. She had 15 kills in a 3-2 victory over Sylvan Hills on Oct. 5. She had 14 vs. Beebe in a 3-1 victory over on Sept. 26 and had 11 in a 3-0 victory over Jacksonville on Sept. 19.

Lillian Wilkie, senior, Siloam Springs

Wilkie had 135 kills during the 2022 season. “Lillian is an aggressive and strategic hitter. She is the type of hitter that you can trust to get any set she gets and make the most of it. She has excellent control and never gives up on the ball. She has proven herself to be a reliable leader on and off the court and will be a valuable asset to our team this year,” said Siloam Springs head coach Carrie Thammarath. Through Oct. 9, she has 172 kills. She has 7 matches in which has at least 10 kills including a season-high 17 in a 3-1 victory over Alma on Sept. 7. She had a season-high 4 aces in a 3-1 victory against Gravette on Aug. 22.

Photo of Brookland's Maddie Smith by Tommy Land