Allison Closing Book On Outstanding High School Career

Siloam Springs’ Hannah Allison hits past Greenwood’s Keeley Treece during the Class 5A state volleyball championship on Oct. 31 in the Arkansas State University Convocation Center at Jonesboro. Siloam Springs won 25-22, 27-25, 25-20 to claim its sixth consecutive title.
Siloam Springs’ Hannah Allison hits past Greenwood’s Keeley Treece during the Class 5A state volleyball championship on Oct. 31 in the Arkansas State University Convocation Center at Jonesboro. Siloam Springs won 25-22, 27-25, 25-20 to claim its sixth consecutive title.

— Hannah Allison’s accomplishments on the volleyball court are incredible.

The Siloam Springs senior was named to the Under Armour High School All-American team. She played with the 12-person United States Junior National Team at the FIVB Girls Youth World Championships in Thailand in the summer. Allison was also recently named the Arkansas Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

She also led the Lady Panthers to their sixth consecutive state title.

For those accomplishments, Allison has been named the All-Northwest Arkansas Small Schools Player of the Year.

She’s arguably the most talented volleyball player to come out of the state of Arkansas. There’s no doubt she’s the most decorated. And Allison’s impact on the view of Arkansas volleyball nationwide has been enormous.

Siloam coach Rose Cheek has seen plenty of outstanding players come through.

But none like Allison.

Fayetteville coach Jessica Phelan came to Arkansas as a player in 1995 and saw a snapshot of the state’s volleyball status while working youth camps for then-coach Chris Poole.

“There’s been a progression for sure ... I remember working those camps and wow, we’ve come a long way, baby,” Phelan said. “It certainly speaks well of Hannah, coach Cheek and the club coaches. The whole level of the game in the state has risen.”

Allison acknowledges one of her goals was to help Arkansas high schools gain more respect.

“We started (volleyball) so late that we really don’t have the respect for players coming out,” Allison said. “I really hope that in my achievements with the state of Arkansas that’s been tagged onto my name, the players that come out behind me will be more respected.”

Phelan and Cheek agree that goal has been accomplished.

“The exposure and attention she’s brought to our state is big, especially in terms of recruiting,” Phelan said. “The club team she played on, there were tons of coaches watching not only her but her teammates.”

“She’s playing with the best of the best,” Cheek said. “Arkansas volleyball has just taken off, and Hannah’s been instrumental in getting Arkansas volleyball respect nationwide.”

Allison’s blessed with many physical gifts that have led to success on the volleyball court, but her maturity and leadership are also huge attributes, Cheek said.

“I don’t know that there’s a price tag you could put on what all she does,” Cheek said.

Allison admitted she felt pressure to keep that state championship streak going at Siloam. Cheek even said she was worried about her star as this year’s state championship match approached.

“Oh, I was concerned, yes,” Cheek said.

Cheek was more disquieted when her team came out a bit flat in the finals against 5A-West Conference rival Greenwood. But then Allison came through again.

“All of sudden I saw this explosion from her,” Cheek said. “Her level of play shot up, and all the other girls followed right behind her.”

Allison talked about being able to made decisions without involving emotion. It’s a difficult task for adults but incredibly tough for a 17-year-old.

She’s already made a couple of big decisions involving her future, and she did so by removing emotion, Allison said.

First, she chose to play volleyball at Texas next year. Making a choice involving the next four or five years of one’s life is not easy indeed. But Allison also chose to graduate from high school early and head for Austin in January.

“It’s hard, really now it’s sad and hard to deal with,” Allison said. “But I know ultimately it’s a good decision. I’m trying to emotionally close the door. It’s hard now, but it’ll be exciting later.”

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