For the first part of this decade, the Fayetteville Lady Bulldogs dominated Class 6A, winning four consecutive state championships.
A year ago, Conway, which lost to Fayetteville in five sets in 2023, defeated 3-2 Fayetteville in the semifinals and beat Bentonville 3-1 in the state finals.
What does 2025 bring for the state’s largest classification? Does Conway repeat? Does Bentonville follow Conway’s script and win a state title on its second attempt? Does Fayetteville bounce back? Does Fort Smith Southside, which has been to the semifinals seven consecutive years, win its first title since 2013?
We’ll find out on Nov. 1 at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs.
Here’s The Natural State Sports Network’s Top 10 teams in Class 6A.
Coverage presented by Arkansas Select Volleyball.
1. BENTONVILLE
Head coach: Hannah Berry, 1 season (25-9)
2024 record/postseason results: 25-9 (11-5 6A-West)/6A runner-up
Projected starters: Ady Bollinger, 5-4 senior libero (465 digs, 28 aces, George Mason commitment); Elizabeth Dorey, 5-9 senior setter (523 assists, 55 aces, 177 digs); Kylah Manthey, 5-9 senior setter (520 assists, 155 digs, 17 kills, 33 aces, Ouachita Baptist commitment); Evelyn Venters, 6-0 junior middle hitter (259 kills, 81 digs, 93 blocks, Arkansas commitment); Kennedy Baber, 5-7 sophomore outside hitter (79 kills, .172. pct., 28 blocks); Tristen Hamilton, 5-9 sophomore outside hitter (143 kills, .161 pct., 43 blocks); Shaylee Howard, 6-0 senior middle hitter (61 kills, .214 pct., 53 blocks); Anna Nikolish, 5-11 outside/right-side hitter (16 kills, 7 blocks)
Key departures: Victoria Otter outside hitter (3-time all state, AVCA third-team all-America, Providence College signee); Madi Hooper, outside hitter (all-conference, all-state tournament team); Audrey Adair, setter/defensive specialist (1,000 career assists, AVCA Best and Brightest)
The Lady Tigers closed the 2024 season winning 17 of their final 19 matches before falling to Conway 3-1 in the state finals and bring back a ton of experience and talent. “This team has fully bought into the work it takes to be successful and is motivated by last season’s tough loss in the finals. We will add a couple pieces moving up from junior varsity,” said Bentonville head coach Hannah Berry. “We have good team chemistry and steady leadership. The girls are ready to put in the work to get back to where we were last season despite losing some big players.”
Berry said the big challenge is finding the right lineup combination and identifying which players complement each other on the court and making sure everyone holds one another accountable. She said the key to success is pushing the intensity in practice to simulate game pressure situations and building consistent habits every day, physically and mentally.
COACH SAID: “We’re excited about this group and the season ahead. With eight varsity returners and a strong core in place, we have a great foundation to build on. Our girls are passionate, hard working and committed to getting better every day. The experience of reaching the state championship last year — and falling short — has given them a clear sense of what it takes to finish. 6A West and 6A statewide will be as tough as ever and we know nothing will come easy. If we stay focused, push each other in practice and keep raising our level, we believe we’ll be right back in the mix.” — Bentonville head coach Hannah Berry
2. CONWAY
Head coach: Laura Crow, 23 seasons (575-133)
2024 record/postseason results: 27-9 (11-1 6A-West)/Class 6A state champions
Projected starters: London Cabantac, 5-6 senior setter (375 assists, 32 aces); Sylvia King, 5-9 senior middle blocker (165 kills, 74 blocks, second-team, all-conference); Wren Jones (435 kills, all-state, all-state tournament team, All Arkansas Preps first team, Evansville commitment); Anna Smith, 5-9 senior outside hitter (147 kills, 26 blocks); Olivia Frazier, 5-6 senior setter; Addi Connell, 5-10 junior middle blocker; Jorie Harrell, 5-6 senior defensive specialist/libero
Key departures: Madden Cabantac, setter (652 assists, 34 aces, all-state tournament team, all-conference); Madison Derden, outside hitter (334 kills, 71 aces, state-tournament MVP; all-state); Bishop Floyd, libero (530 digs, 38 aces, all-state, AVCA Best and Brightest); Ava Gipson, middle blocker (195 kills, 60 blocks, second-team, all-conference)
The Lady Cats, who lost in the state finals in five sets to Fayetteville in 2023, bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Bentonville and have four players — London Cabantac, Sylvia King, Wren Jones and Anna Smith — who were key contributors a year ago. Head coach Laura Crow likes her team’s experience, height (four players — King, junior Addi Connell, Jones and Smith — stand at least 5-9); and the ability to play in pressure situations. She is concerned about replacing players like Madden Cabantac, Madison Derden, Bishop Floyd and Ava Gipson, who were a big part of her team’s offense and defense. She said the key to success is having the setters connect with hitters, focus on ball control accuracy and getting tough serves.
COACH SAID: “The 6A-Central will continue to grow as does volleyball in Central Arkansas. It will be a fun year.” — Conway head coach Laura Crow.
3. FAYETTEVILLE
Head coach: Jessica Phelan, 21 years (518-188-9)
2024 record/postseason results: 21-8 (12-4 6A-West)/lost to Conway 3-2 in 6A semifinals
Projected starters: Piper Batie, 6-1 senior setter (265 kills, 377 assists, Missouri commitment); Molly Miller, 6-0 sophomore setter/right-side hitter (160 kills, 552 assists); Izzy Sategna, 5-9 junior outside hitter (159 kills, 74 blocks); Lauren Taylor, 6-0 senior outside hitter (67 kills); Bella Street, 6-1 senior middle blocker (67 kills, 40 blocks); Kenzy Hogue, 6-2 sophomore middle blocker (60 kills, 20 blocks); Eva McPike, 5-5 junior libero/defensive specialist (124 digs).
Key departures: Ella Byan, outside hitter (37 aces, 333 kills, 342 receptions, 281 digs); Lily Moser, libero (337 digs)
The Lady Bulldogs’ string of four consecutive state championships came to an end with a 3-2 loss to eventual 6A state champion Conway in the semifinals. Fayetteville, which has won eight state titles under head coach Jessica Phelan, would love to get back to BankOZK Arena for the state finals in Hot Springs with a team that returns seven players who saw significant action a year ago. Phelan likes her team’s talent level and believes the experience gained by players like Kenzy Hogue and Molly Miller, who played as freshmen will help them out this year. In addition to Miller, Piper Batie will share time as the settler. Phelan said the key is getting solid contact in serve and receive.
COACH SAID: “There are lots of teams with key departures and will make progress from August to October. There are lots of talented, well-trained athletes in 6A.” — Fayetteville head coach Jessica Phelan
4. FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE
Head coach: Natalie Throneberry, 6 seasons (155-41-4)
2024 record/postseason results: 29-6 (15-1 6A-West)/lost 3-2 to Bentonville in 6A semifinals
Projected starters: Julia Suggs, 5-1 senior setter; Ella Shelby, 5-4 senior libero (585 digs, 76 assists, 20 aces); Rachel Settle, 5-9 junior middle blocker/outside hitter (77 kills, 50 blocks, 49 digs); Aniya Morris, 5-9 sophomore middle blocker/right-side hitter (87 kills, 84 blocks, Natural State Sports Network’s newcomer team); Madeline Wilson, senior setter; Harper Hogue, 5-6 junior defensive specialist; Hayden McCain, sophomore setter/right-side hitter; Leighton Cross, sophomore outside hitter; Kinsley Harrison, 5-9 senior right-side hitter/middle blocker; Addison Tarnish, 6-2 freshmen right-side hitter/middle blocker
Key departures: Mileah Neal, setter (1,025 assists, 118 kills, 297 digs, 19 blocks, 36 aces, Barton (Kan.) signee); Gabriela DuPree, outside hitter (498 kills, .252 pct., 464 digs, 42 aces, 48 blocks, 2.2 serve/receive rating, 3-time all-state selection, AVCA Best and Brightest first team, Southwest Baptist signee, Natural State Sports Network Player of the Year); Lydia Pitts, outside hitter (410 kills, .279 pct., 172 digs, 60 aces, 39 blocks, 23 assists, UA-Fort Smith signee, Natural State Sports Network’s second team); Ella McEntire, outside hitter/defensive specialist (102 kills, 50 digs, 317 digs); Jaclyn Evans, defensive specialist (243 digs); Meg Lux, right-side hitter (89 kills, 23 blocks, 41 digs); Kate Cox, defensive specialist (20 aces, 36 digs, Hendrix College signee)
The past two years, the Fort Smith Southside Lady Mavericks were the preseason No. 1 team and a year ago, spent seven weeks in the top spot before a 2-1 loss to 4A semifinalist Baptist Prep, at the Conway Lady Cat Invitational, dropped them from the top spot. The Lady Mavericks advanced to the semifinals before falling 3-2 to Bentonville.
This year’s team is going to look different with the loss of seven seniors including Gabriela DuPree, who was the Natural State Sports Network’s player of the year along with setter Mileah Neal, a 3-year starter, and Lyida Pitts, a 4-year starter. While the loss of that type of talent might be tough to overcome for a lot of programs, head coach Natalie Throneberry, believes her team is one not to be overlooked with players like Ella Shelby, Rachel Settle, Aniya Morris back in the lineup. When a school has been to the semifinals the past seven years and reached the state finals four times in that span, it’s understandable why some teams believe another run at the state championship is not that far away.
“We are undersized, but we are scrappy. We have some fight in us. We will have to see how all the parts come together and who steps into the big shoes left behind for them, but this team has the ability to scrap,” said Throneberry.
That said, Throneberry said she needs her team’s hitters to step into big roles and have everyone push each other for playing time. She said the keys to success are players embracing new roles, playing solid defense, having consistency on the pins and staying disciplined.
COACH SAID: “I’ll say it every year! There are no off-days in the 6A-West! It’s a fun time to be a volleyball coach in Arkansas. I think this year will be a ‘wait and see’ year for a lot of teams, ourselves included. It’ll be a fun season.” — Fort Smith Southside head coach Natalie Throneberry
5. SPRINGDALE HAR-BER
Head coach: Cassie Loyd, 6 years (130-56)
2024 record: 20-12 (10-6 6A-West)/lost 3-1 to Conway in 6A quarterfinals
Projected starting lineup: Reese Davis, 5-1 junior setter (1,024 assists, 235 digs, 56 kills, 21 blocks 35 aces, Natural State Network’s newcomer of the year); Leighton Keyes, 5-9 junior middle blocker/outside hitter (190 kills, .250 pct., 59 blocks, 17 digs); Joely Tankersley, 5-5 junior libero (273 digs, 27 aces); Madi Bryant, 6-1 senior middle blocker (197 kills, .276 pct., 69 blocks); Beaux Cameron, freshman outside hitter; Adyn Simpson, senior defensive specialist (121 digs, 32 aces); Wendy Chinglong, senior middle blocker.
Key departures: Macon Butler, 5-9 outside hitter (415 kills, .209 pct., 97 digs, 41 blocks, all-state)
The Lady Wildcats, who were state runner-up in 2021, have been eliminated in the quarterfinals the past two years by the Conway Lady Cats, who were runner-up in 2023 and state champions a year ago. Head coach Cassie Loyd hopes her team can go farther in the state tournament with a team that has four starters back along with 5-7 senior defensive specialist Adyn Simpson and senior middle blocker Wendy Chinglong. Loyd likes her team’s work ethic and unselfish attitude. She said the big focus will be on maintaining mental toughness throughout the entire match.
COACH SAID: “Our crew this year is a special group of young ladies. They are coachable and are always looking for ways to push themselves beyond their limits. They have worked themselves hard in the weight room leading up to the this point and we are seeing gains on the court. Because of that I am excited to see what they accomplish this season!” — Har-Ber head coach Cassie Loyd.
6. CABOT
Head coach: Anna Robertson, 6 years (114-65)
2024 record/postseason results: 19-14 (6-6 6A-Central)/lost 3-2 to Fort Smith Northside in 6A first round
Projected starters: Madilyn Lenox, 6-0 senior middle hitter (285 kills, 79 blocks, all-state tournament team, all-conference); Metcate Marsh, 5-10 senior setter (38 aces, 105 kills, 941 assists, 47 blocks, all-state); Alexa Robertson, 5-7 junior outside hitter/6-rotation (31 aces, 177 kills, 267 digs); Izzie Duncan, 5-10 junior middle hitter (178 kills, 69 blocks, second-team, all-conference); Kaelyn Hearty, 5-5 senior libero (240 digs, 44 aces); Brylee Passmore, 5-7 junior outside hitter (179 kills, 36 blocks); Mariah Bunn, 5-1 junior defensive specialist (185 digs).
Key departures: Margaret Scott, right-side hitter (234 kills, 64 blocks)
Cabot, which will host the 6A state tournament, hopes to use its home court toward making a deep run in postseason. The Lady Panthers bring back seven players who saw significant playing time a year ago. “We have a lot of key returning players, including a very solid setter (also adding a strong sophomore setter in Olivia Ambeau) as well as most of our varsity hitters,” said Cabot head coach Anna Robertson. “We have good chemistry, athleticism and depth.”
Robertson is concerned about a lack of height with one player (Lenox) who stands 6-0 and another (Duncan) who stands 5-10 which means she said her team has to make up with it in craftiness and ball control. She said the key to success is continuing to gel offensively, work on first-ball attacks, minimize errors and stay aggressive on the service line and defensively.
COACH SAID: “6A overall is the toughest classification in the state and the 6A-Central Conference is continuing to be competitive throughout the season will hopefully bring home the championship again.” — Cabot head coach Anna Robertson
7. LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL
Head coach: Markie Alberius, 4 years (72-41)
2024 record/postseason results: 21-8-1 (8-4 6A-Central)/lost 3-1 to Fayetteville in 6A quarterfinals
Projected starters: Sydney Crowder, 5-8 senior setter (358 assists, 35 aces, 115 digs, UALR commitment); Jaxon Jersey, 5-7 senior outside hitter (293 kills, 43 aces, 17 blocks, 242 digs, Henderson State commitment); Ava Fuggitt, 5-10 senior right-side hitter (135 kills, 331 blocks, 20 digs, Washington and Lee commitment); Lydia Warrior, 5-8 senior libero; Aubrie Saine, 5-8 senior outside hitter; Makylah Davis, 6-2 sophomore middle blocker; Bre’nyra Brown, 5-10 junior middle blocker; Aniya Miller, 6-1 junior right-side hitter
Key departures: Kelis Battles, 5-7 outside hitter (318 kills, .300 pct., 49 aces, 21 blocks, 15 assists, 260 digs; 3-time all-conference, 3-time all state, 2-time all-state tournament team)
Three weeks into the season, the Lady Tigers were ranked second in a state-wide poll after beating Benton to win the Little Rock Christian Academy Classic after tying the Lady Panthers in pool play earlier in the day. The Lady Tigers were 18-5-1 before losing four of the last six, including a 3-1 loss to Fayetteville in the Class 6A quarterfinals. Head coach Markie Alberius, who missed most of last season while on maternity leave, likes her team’s experience and newcomers. She said her team has to show some consistency on defense and with her middle hitters. She said her team’s defense and transition will play a big part of the team’s success.
8. BENTONVILLE WEST
2024 record/postseason results: 19-15 (8-8 6A-West)/lost to Little Rock Central 3-1 in 6A first round
Head coach: Britney Davis, 1 year (19-15)
Projected starters: Audrey Calva, 5-10 junior outside hitter (41 aces, 416 kills, 25 blocks, 21 assists, 250 digs); Addi Thurber, 5-7 senior outside hitter (27 kills, .246 pct.; 8 digs); Briana Gibson, 5-9 senior outside hitter/right-side hitter; Noelle Hammond, 5-10 junior middle hitter (6 kills); Kylie Gibson, middle hitter; Claire Schofield, 5-10 junior setter/right-side hitter; Jayden Gribble, 5-8 senior setter; Laney Chilton, 5-7 senior libero
Key departures: Kate Schofield, setter (47 aces, 60 kills, 23 blocks, 1,056 assists, 229 digs); Trinity Collete, setter (22 aces, 329 assists, 487 digs)
The Lady Wolverines defeated 6A-runner up Bentonville 3-1 in September, 6A champion Conway 2-1 in the Bentonville Early Bird Classic and 4-time 6A state champion Fayetteville 3-0 before falling to Little Rock Central in the first round of the state tournament. Head coach Britney Davis, who is entering her second year, likes the future with the nucleus of a near-perfect junior-varsity team that is moving up. While she has a young team, she said the key to success is having good chemistry.
COACH SAID: “This team will challenge varsity opponents with their fast-paced offense on strong serve-receive and setter-hitter connections. Disciplined blocking and defense support will support their attack led by a 4-year returning starting outside hitter (Audrey Calva), increased player vertical jump adds offensive power while strong communication and teamwork solidify their varsity potential.” — Bentonville West head coach Britney Davis
9. BRYANT
Head coach: Leigh Ann Back, 6 seasons
2024 record/postseason results: 19-11-1 (9-3 6A-Central)/lost 3-0 to Bentonville in 6A quarterfinals
Projected starters: Breana Williamson, 5-1 senior libero (458 digs, 119 assists); Ella Chappell, 5-8 senior middle blocker (63 kills, 48 blocks); Taylor Lease, 5-9 junior middle blocker (45 blocks, 19 blocks); Graci Lewis, 5-8 senior outside hitter (172 kills, 27 blocks)
Key departures: Gracie Brown, middle blocker (236 kills, 76 blocks, 43 aces, Southeastern Louisiana signee); Emerson Traylor, setter (325 assists, 31 aces, 130 digs, Louisiana Tech signee); Reese Wilburn, setter (489 assists, 39 aces, 162 digs, TCU signee)
The Lady Hornets knocked off 6A champion Conway 3-2 in September, ending the Lady Cats 45-match winning streak against conference opponents and lost 3-2 in October with a chance to win the a share of the conference title and secure the No. 1 seed in the state tournament. They also lost at Fort Smith Southside to close the regular season and to Bentonville in the state tournament. Bryant has to replace three players who signed Division I scholarships, but brings back libero Breana Williamson. The Lady Hornets will face a strong schedule featuring 5A semifinalist Benton, 5A quarterfinalist Hot Springs Lakeside, 4A semifinalist Baptist Prep along with Little Rock Christian and Pulaski Academy which appeared in the 5A and 4A state tournaments. In addition, they are playing in tournaments at LRCA, Conway and in Springfield, Mo., against some of the best teams in Missouri. Head coach Leigh Ann Back likes her team’s chemistry and hopes the strength of schedule makes them battle tested for the 6A Central. She is concerned about having to replaced both setters. “This team has a deep drive to win,” said Back. “They feel they underproduced at state last season and need to prove something to themselves.”
COACH SAID: “We are rebuilding/reloading after we have learned a lot about ourselves in the past few seasons. Our goal is make Bryant volleyball a respected program. We play in the most competitive classification from top to bottom in the state. Every school has a knowledgable coach with college playing experience. Every year, this conference gets more competitive. We had a few big wins last season and are looking to build on that success this season.” — Bryant head coach Leigh Ann Back
10. FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE
Head coach: Matthew Waack, 11 years (156-133)
2024 record/postseason results: 22-14 (9-7 6A-West)/lost 3-1 to Fort Smith Southside in Class 6A quarterfinals
Projected starters: Caroline McKinney, 6-0 senior right-side hitter (219 kills, .213 pct., 52 blocks, 57 digs, all-conference); Kamdyn Flemming, 5-5 junior setter (383 assists, 28 aces, 212 digs); Eden Fields, 5-2 junior defensive specialist (20 digs); Jaliyah Freeman, 5-11 sophomore setter/right-side hitter; Averi Childers, 6-0 junior middle blocker (36 kills, 14 blocks, 11 digs); Rylee Cofey, 5-8 sophomore outside hitter; Morgan Sanger, 5-7 sophomore outside hitter
Key departures: Jaynea Manning, outside hitter (460 kills, .243 pct., 23 aces, 29 blocks, 328 digs, all-state, all-state tournament team); Grace Klein, outside hitter (349 kills, 38 aces, 12 blocks, 405 digs, , all-state tournament, AVCA Best and Brightest); Rachel Krafft, setter (735 assists, 30 aces, 233 digs, AVCA Best and Brightest, all-conference); Paige Klein, defensive specialist (20 assists, 321 digs, 39 assists, AVCA Best and Brightest); Azalea Scott, defensive specialist (311 digs, 10 aces, 21 aces)
A year ago, the Lady Bears’ highlights featured a 3-0 victory over Fort Smith Southside on Oct. 15 and a 3-2 victory over Cabot in the first round of the state tournament. This year, the Lady Bears have to replace five seniors, but have some capable returnees in Caroline McKinney, who is a 3-year starter along with Kadyn Flemming and Averi Childers. Head coach Matthew Waack likes incoming sophomores like Jallyah Freeman, Rylee Cofey, Morgan Sanger. However, Waack is concerned about the sophomores and juniors such as Lily Bouxswein, Elli Brinkley and Cassidy Bishop, who are filling new roles. Waack said their progression will be the key to success.
OTHER TEAMS THE NATURAL STATE SPORTS NETWORK RECEIVED INFORMATION ON
Springdale (4-20-1, 1-15 6A West) has a new coach in former Siloam Springs head coach Joellen Wright, who said her team hopes to surprise some people.
Rogers (8-25, 5-11 6A-West) has a young team with three sophomores in their rotation led by Avah Brown (141 kills, 58 blocks. Libero Izzi Anderson (147 digs) and junior Kameah Cates (122 kills, 67 digs) and senior middle blocker Dyllan Chandler (74 kills, 35 blocks, 19 digs) are their top players.
Rogers Heritage (2-18, 1-15 6A-West) has a new coach in Desiree Felker, who coached at four schools in Missouri and was an assistant at Springdale Har-Ber.
North Little Rock (5-17, 2-10 6A-Central) has a new coach in Maddie Back, the daughter of Bryant head coach Leigh Ann Back, who coached previously at White Hall.
Jonesboro (19-11, 6-6 6A-Central) improved from 4-22 the previous season under head coach Canaan Groesbeck, who missed part of the 2024 season on maternity leave. Senior outside hitters Emmagin Spencer (172 kills,12 blocks) and Mia Burch (141 kills, 24 blocks, 54 digs) and setter Cooper Beck (371 assists, 161 digs, 13 aces) are players to watch.