WEEK 2 RANKINGS

By Jeff Halpern

The top two teams in Class 2A will see each other and test themselves this week.

Hackett and Mansfield will face each other on Thursday at Hackett. The two teams met on Aug. 25 with Hackett winning 3-1. In addition, the two teams will participate in the Fort Smith Invitational and test themselves gains teams in 5A and 6A tams in pool play. Hackett will meet defending 5A runner-up Farmington and Class 6A Rogers.

Mansfield will face 5A teams Van Buren and Sylvan Hills.

Here are the Arkansas Volleyball Network’s Class 2A rankings for the week ending Sept. 6.

1. HACKETT (4-1, 4-0 2A-3)

Previous rank: No. 1

Last week: def. Magazine 3-0; lost 3-0 to Siloam Springs; def. Two Rivers, 3-0

This week: at Mulberry Tuesday; Union Christian Wednesday; vs. Mansfield Thursday; at Fort Smith Invitational Saturday: vs. Rogers, vs. Farmington

Lady Hornets step up on class and suffer a sweep to Class 5A Siloam Springs.

COACH SAID: “We lost in three really close sets to Siloam, and I think we’ve learned a lot from that game, that we can improve and adjust to. But overall I think the girls fought hard until the end and that’s the biggest thing that I can ask of them!” — Hackett head coach Madi Fisher on the loss to Siloam Springs

2. MANSFIELD (5-1, 4-1 2A-3)

Previous rank: No. 2

Last week: def. Union Christian Academy 3-2; def. Two Rivers 3-0; def. Mulberry 3-0

This week: at Mountainburg Tuesday; at Hackett Thursday; at Fort Smith Invitational Saturday: vs. Van Buren, vs. Sylvan Hills

Adeline Godwin had 49 assists and 34 kills in all three matches.

COACH SAID: “This week was a good week. We started with UCA, it was an exciting 5-set match. We had a lot of ups and downs, but pulled out the win. My top three scorers were on their game. (Adeline) Godwin (Miley), Clopton, and (Danielle) Lowery collected 41 kills combined. Offensively, we played well; defensively, we had great moments. Godwin and Clopton also collected 31 digs between the two. We are working to better our communication on the court and really take control of each role. We collected an additional couple of wins against Two Rivers and Mulberry. We played well both nights and came in with high energy and never let that dissipate, which I was very proud of. We incorporated some things we’ve been working on in practice and saw some success. Overall, it was a great week.” — Mansfield head coach Brandi Heydenreich

3. TAYLOR (8-1, 1-0 2A-8)

Previous rank: No. 3

Last week; def. Malvern 3-1; def. Lafayette County, Sept 3-0

This week: at Columbia Christian Thursday

Macy Downs had 13 kills vs. Malvern while Carsyn Grant had 21 dings and 3 aces.

COACH SAID: “Proud of our girls this week. Our goal is to grow each time we step on the court. Our back row and setter are working hard to get each attacker involved in the game.” — Taylor head coach Courtney McHenry

4. COTTER (7-2, 1-0 2A-2)

Previous rank: No. 4

Last week: def. Berryville, 3-0; def. Izard County 3-0

This week: at Viola Tuesday; vs. Norfork Thursday

Reagan Cowart had 58 assists, Riley Brotherton had 27 digs, and Lily McNutt had 41 kills.

5. CONWAY ST. JOSEPH (6-1, 1-0 2A-4)

Previous rank: No. 5

Last week: def. Maumelle Charter 3-0; def. Guy-Perkins 3-0; lost 3-1 to Mayflower; def. Southside Bee Branch 3-0

This week: at Marshall Tuesday; vs. Hector Thursday

Busy week as Bulldogs go 3-1 with only loss coming to 3A contender Mayflower.

COACH SAID: “Like I told the girls, we won the week, but we’re a long way away from where we need to be in October.” — Conway St. Joseph head coach Luke Davis

WEEK 1 RANKINGS

By Jeff Halpern

In the battle of defending state champions, round one goes to the Hackett Hornets.

Hackett, the defending Class 2A state champion defeated Mansfield, the defending 3A champion, 21-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-20 at Mansfield in the 2A-3 Conference opener for both teams.

Ryleigh Decker led Hackett with 16 kills and 14 digs. Catelyn Edwards had 31 assists and 14 digs. Karli Reather and Aubrey Gillett both had 11 digs.

Mansfield was led by Adeline Godwin, who had 10 kills and 15 assists. Miley Clopton had 10 kills.

The rematch is set for Sept. 10 in Hackett, but there could be more on the way with the district, regional, and state tournaments as possibilities.

Here are Arkansas Volleyball Network’s Class 2A rankings.

*Last updated 8/30/26*

1. HACKETT (3-0 2-0 2A-3)

Previous rank: No. 2

Last week: def. Elkins, 3-0; def. No. 1 Mansfield 3-1; def. Mountainburg 3-0.

This week: vs. Magazine, Sept. 1; at Siloam Springs, Sept. 2; at Two Rivers, Thursday

Hackett’s not going to let go of its title easily.

COACH SAID: “Being the start of a new conference season, the girls were ready to start the year with a win! I think the atmosphere of the game was amazing, and the girls love playing in a loud and energetic environment! I was very proud of how they fought back after losing the first set to come back and get the win! Sometimes being down at the beginning sets a tone for the whole night, but the girls didn’t let that get to them, and they came back fighting and won the last three sets straight!” — Hackett head coach Madi Fisher

2. MANSFIELD (2-1, 1-1 2A-3)

Previous rank: No. 1

Last week: def. Booneville 3-0; lost 3-1 to No. 2 Hackett; def. Magazine, 3-0.

This week: at Union Christian Academy, Monday; vs. Two Rivers, Tuesday; vs. Mulberry, Thursday.

Lady Tigers looking to rematch with Hackett on Sept. 10.

COACH SAID: “We came out hot. The first set we played our game. The chemistry was working, and we put the ball down. Moving forward, we let one mistake turn into three and could not reset mentally. We are just getting started; it’s tough playing your rival the first home conference game, especially since we are trying to build back after losing Kaylee Ward and dealing with serious injuries. We’ll get there. We have plenty of time.” — Mansfield head coach Brandi Heydenreich

3. TAYLOR (6-1)

Previous rank: No. 3

Last week: def. Quitman 3-1; Been There, Dug That (Hooks, Texas) def. New Boston (Texas) 2-0; def. Prairiland (Texas) 2-0; def. James Bowie (Texas) 3-0; def. Linden Kildare (Tex.) 2-0; def. Texarkana 2-0; lost to Hooks (Texas) 2-1.

This week: at Malvern, Tuesday, vs. Lafayette County, Sept. 3.

Taylor beats Texas schools in tournament.

COACH SAID: “We have some really good things happening this early in the season! I was very proud of how the girls played! It was a really, long day and we weren’t our best at the end of the day. We have parts of the game to work on, but days like today make us better.” — Taylor head coach Courtney McHenry

4. COTTER (4-2)

Previous rank: No. 4

Last week: def. Yellville-Summitt 3-0; def. Marshall 3-1; at Ozark Slamfest Saturday: vs. def. Bergman, lost 2-0 to Harrison; lost to Harrison for gold bracket.

Next week: at Berryville, Monday; vs. Izard County, Thursday.

Cotter finishes runner-up to Harrison at Ozark Slamfest. Lily McNutt had 38 kills and 12 blocks vs. Yellville-Summitt and Marshall. Regan Cowart had 59 assists and 14 digs in those two matches.

5. CONWAY ST. JOSEPH (3-0)