FAYETTEVILLE -- Ella May Powell and Haley Warner will try to lead Fayetteville to its second consecutive Class 7A state volleyball title this season, but first the duo will get to represent the United States as part of the youth national team.
The juniors were selected to the 12-person team that will represent the US at the NORCECA U18 Continental Championships, which runs Aug. 31-Sept. 8 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Profile
Ella May Powell
SCHOOL Fayetteville
CLASS Junior
HEIGHT 6-0
POSITION Setter
NOTABLE Named to the United States Junior National volleyball team. … Helped lead Fayetteville to the Class 7A state volleyball title as a sophomore. … Earned Most Valuable Player honors at last year’s 7A state tournament. … Named MaxPreps All-American and Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year last season. … Verbally comitted to play for Washington.
Profile
Haley Warner
SCHOOL Fayetteville
CLASS Junior
HEIGHT 6-2
POSITION Right-side hitter
NOTABLE Named recently to the United State Junior National volleyball team. … Helped lead Fayetteville to the Class 7A state tournament title as a sophomore. … Named Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year as a freshman. … Named Max Preps All-American as a sophomore.
Fayetteville volleyball coach Jessica Phelan, an All-American at Arkansas who got to train one summer with the US National team, said it's an incredible honor and testament to their ability to be chosen to represent the USA.
"To have two kids from the same school chosen is really awesome," Phelan said. "From a state the size of Arkansas, we're just super proud they will get to go wear that USA jersey. I think for Ella and Haley, their experience with USA volleyball in this unique training environment, they are challenged to take their game to a higher level.
"What a great opportunity for those kids. It's something they worked very hard for."
They went through a grueling five-day training camp with 24 players from across the country that had both of them doubting themselves at least a little bit. That's no small feat since they have already verbally committed to play at two of the top collegiate volleyball programs in the country.
Powell, a 6-foot setter, committed to Washington, while Warner, a 6-2 right-side hitter, recently chose Florida.
"I just remember thinking 'Wow, they are all so good,'" Powell said. "I didn't want to get too confident, but I'm thinking I have a shot. But then I'm like 'What am I thinking? They are all so amazing.'"
Warner admitted she had never been put in a position like that before where she might actually be cut. She was named Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year as a freshman, while Powell earned the honor last season.
"For me, it was like I know I did good, but was it good enough?," Warner said.
Phelan said the challenge for the two was as much mental as physical.
"It's a special kind of stressful," Phelan said. "It's a unique challenge for kids who have been starting all the time."
Despite the grueling competition, they agreed the initial group of 24 developed a strong bond of friendship. Powell also credited the coaches with downplaying the competitive aspect of the event.
"I think the coaches made it more like a camp than a competition," Powell said.
Phelan said the opportunity to play against international competition will only increase their confidence and skill level.
"Wherever they are, the Fayetteville gym or the Team USA gym, they are kids that thrive in the environment where they can learn," Phelan said. "Everyone notices how talented they are, but I notice their coachability."
Powell was also selected as a team captain, which shows her leadership skills that Phelan knows only too well.
"So much of what she does is an extension of the coaching staff," Phelan said. "For her age, she's a brilliant volleyball mind."
In the end, it was plenty good enough as they became the second and third Arkansans to be chosen to the US youth national team. They follow in the footsteps of Hannah Allison of Siloam Springs, who went on to help Texas win a national championship in 2012.
Sports on 08/13/2016