SBLive Arkansas Top 25 high school volleyball rankings: Fayetteville finishes on top with 6A state championship

By Jeff Halpern | Pictures by Tommy Land

NOTE: Data have been adjusted to replicate the Arkansas Actions Affiliation’s new rule through which pool-play matches in event play don’t rely towards the staff’s general document.

1. Fayetteville (27-2) 

Earlier Rank: No. 1

Final week: Class 6A state event: def. Bentonville West 3-0; def. No. 8 Cabot 3-0; def. No. 6 Fort Smith Southside 3-0.

COMMENT: in 2022, Fayetteville is to volleyball what Springdale was to soccer within the 2005 season and what North Little Rock was to boys basketball within the 2021-2022 season – the most effective ever.

2. Benton (28-1)

Earlier Rank: No. 3.

Final week: Class 5A state event: def. Sylvan Hills 3-0; def. Marion 3-0; def. Van Buren 3-0; def. No. 5 Valley View 3-0.

COMMENT: One 12 months after a state championship loss to Little Rock Christian through which all 5 video games had been determined by 15 factors, the Girl Panthers take residence the championship.

3. Brookland (30-4)

Earlier rank: No. 4.

Final week: Class 4A state event: def. Joe T. Robinson 3-0; def. Farmington 3-0; def. Jonesboro Westside 3-0; def. No. 14 Shiloh Christian 3-0

COMMENT: After three consecutive runner-up finishes, the Bearcats lastly take residence the trophy they’ve needed.

4. Fort Smith Southside (22-7)

Earlier rank: No. 6.

This week: Class 6A state event: def. Little Rock Central 3-1; def. No. 2 Conway 3-0; misplaced to No. 1 Fayetteville 3-0.

COMMENT: With 4 sophomores within the rotation, future appears to be like vivid for Girl Mavericks.

5. Conway (24-3)

Earlier rank: No. 2.

Final week: Class 6A state event: def. Bentonville 3-0; misplaced to No. 6 Fort Smith Southside 3-0.

COMMENT: Wampus Cats went practically two months between losses.

6. Baptist Prep (26-4)

Earlier rank: No. 15.

Final week: Class 3A state event: def. Manila 3-0; def. No. 18 Paris 3-0; def. Crowley’s Ridge Academy 3-0; def. No. 9 Hackett 3-0.

COMMENT: One 12 months after shedding in semifinals, Girl Eagles proved they might beat groups in all lessons and take residence the championship trophy.

7. Valley View (21-4–1)

Earlier rank: No. 5.

Final week: Class 5A state event: def. Greenbrier 3-1; def. No. 19 Scorching Springs Lakeside 3-1; def. No. 10 Mount St. Mary 3-1; misplaced to No. 3 Benton 3-0

COMMENT: Similar to dying and taxes, the Blazers made their manner again to the state finals for the 20^th straight time. Led 15-13 in third set earlier than setter Riley Owens bought damage and Benton made a comeback.

8. Mansfield (27-3)

Earlier rank: No. 13.

Final week: Class 2A state event: def. Magnet Cove 3-0; def. Quitman 3-0; def. Thaden 3-0; def. No. 24 Lavaca 3-0.

COMMENT: The queens of Class 2A with three consecutive state championships.

9. Cabot (18-8)

Earlier rank: No. 8.

This week: Class 6A state event quarterfinal: def. Springdale Har-Ber 3-2; misplaced to No. 1 Fayetteville 3-0.

COMMENT: Girl Panthers had good season and run to the semifinals.

10. Shiloh Christian (23-4)

Earlier rank: No. 14.

Final week: Class 4A state event: Bauxite 3-0; def. No. 16 Batesville Southside 3-0; def. No. 12 Mena 3-1; misplaced to No. 4 Brookland 3-0.

COMMENT: Senior-laden staff bought the Saints again to the finals for the primary time since 2017.

11. Hackett (28-2)

Earlier rank: No. 9.

Final week: Class 3A state event: def. Salem 3-0; def. No. 21 Episcopal Collegiate 3-0; def. Hoxie 3-0; misplaced to No. 15 Baptist Prep 3-0.

COMMENT: Second consecutive 12 months the Hornets fall brief in title sport.

12. Mount St. Mary (19-7–1)

Earlier rank: No. 10.

Final week: Class 5A state event: def. Sheridan 3-0; def. No. 11 Greenwood 3-2; misplaced to No. 5 Valley View 3-1.

COMMENT: Belles dropped down in classification and received a share of 5A-Central and superior to semifinals.

13. Van Buren (17-8)

Earlier rank: Not ranked

Final week: Class 5A state event: def. Batesville 3-0; def. No. 7 Little Rock Christian 3-2; misplaced to No. 3 Benton 3-0.

COMMENT: After a midseason droop: Girl Pointers rebounded to achieve semifinals.

14. Mena (25-3)

Earlier rank: No. 12.

Final week: Class 4A state event: def. Pea Ridge 3-1; def. No. 17 Wynne 3-1; misplaced to No. 14 Shiloh Christian 3-1.

COMMENT: Brad Lyle’s staff has gone 54-6 the previous two years, and this 12 months reached the semifinals.

15. Lavaca (24-6)

Earlier rank: No. 24.

Final week: Class 2A state event: def. England 3-0; def. Marshall 3-0; def. No. 22 Conway Christian 3-0; misplaced to No. 13 Mansfield 3-0

COMMENT: Subsequent up for Lavaca: beating Mansfield (0-4 vs. Girl Tigers this 12 months); 2. Successful a state title, (0-3 in state finals appearances previously 5 seasons).

16. Little Rock Christian (21–5)

Earlier rank: No. 7.

Final week: Class 5A state event: def. White Corridor 3-0; misplaced to Van Buren 3-2.

COMMENT: Defending 5A champions got here up brief in bid to repeat.

17. Greenwood (22-7)

Earlier rank: No. 11.

Final week: Class 5A state event: Greene County Tech 3-0; misplaced to No. 10 Mount St. Mary 3-2.

COMMENT: Girl Bulldogs ended the season on a down observe.

18. Batesville Southside (23-6)

Earlier rank: No. 16.

Final week: Class 4A state event: def. No. 20 Pottsville 3-1; misplaced to No. 14 Shiloh Christian 3-0.

COMMENT: Two consecutive journeys to the quarterfinals for the Southerners.

19. Wynne (17-7)

Earlier rank: No. 17.

Final week: Class 4A state event: def. Morrilton 3-1; misplaced to No. 12 Mena 3-1

COMMENT: Went a step additional within the state event this 12 months.

20. Conway Christian (21-4)

Earlier rank: No. 22

Final week: Class 2A state event: def. Cedar Ridge 3-0; def. No. 25 Life Method Christian 3-0; misplaced to No. 24 Lavaca 3-0.

COMMENT: Adopted final 12 months’s quarterfinal end with semifinal end.

No. 21 Crowley’s Ridge Academy (18-4)

Earlier rank: Not ranked.

Final week: Class 3A sate event: def. Central Arkansas Christian 3-0; def. Harding Academy 3-0; misplaced to No. 15 Baptist Prep 3-0.

COMMENT: Custom-rich program again in semifinals for the fourth time in 5 years.

No. 22 Hoxie (21-3)

Earlier rank: Not ranked.

Final week: Class 3A state event: def. Mayflower 3-0; def. Atkins 3-0; misplaced to No. 9 Hackett 3-1.

COMMENT: Second consecutive 12 months knocked out by Hackett. Additionally made second journey to semifinals in three years.

23. Thaden (23-10)

Earlier rank: Not ranked.

Final week: Class 2A state event: def. Taylor 3-0; def. Conway St. Joseph 3-0; misplaced to No. 13 Mansfield 3-0.

COMMENT: Rebounded from last-season droop with run to semifinals.

24. Paris (19-10)

Earlier rank: No. 18.

Final week: Class 3A state event: def. Rose Bud 3-0; misplaced to No. 15 Baptist Prep 3-0.

COMMENT: First time since 2019 Paris didn’t make it to the state finals.

25. Scorching Springs Lakeside (21-8)

Earlier rank: 19.

Final week: Class 5A state event: def. Vilonia 3-2; misplaced to No. 5 Valley View 3-1.

COMMENT: Lakeside had a stable season in 5A-South.

DROPPED OUT

No. 20 Pottsville, No. 21 Episcopal Collegiate, No. 25 Life Method Christian