Mansfield closed the book on an outstanding 2025 volleyball season by winning the class 3A state championship on November 1. With an incredible ending to such a memorable season, it was only fitting that a litany of Lady Tigers be honored with postseason accolades from the Arkansas Activities Association and the Arkansas Volleyball Coaches Association.
The AAA recently released the 2025 All-State player selections and the 3A All-State Tournament Team selections. Within that same timeframe, the ArVCA sent out a list of nominees for their inaugural All-Star game as the AAA All-Star nominations also surfaced. Fittingly, Mansfield, winner of 33 volleyball games including the dramatic state final’s match over Harding Academy, was well represented on those state lists.
Headlining the Mansfield selections was all-everything Kaylee Ward. Joining the senior middle off the MHS roster were sophomores Miley Clopton and Adeline Godwin along with junior Danielle Lowery.
Kaylee Ward, a four year starter for the state champion Tigers, was top shelf with a number of postseason honors. Ward was selected for a fourth consecutive season as an All-State player by the conference coaches. She was also placed on the Volleyball All-State Tournament Team following the conclusion of the class 3A state tournament which began at Central Arkansas Christian High School.
Ward’s illustrious career was punctuated by a the Most Valuable Player award at the state tournament finals which was played at Hot Springs’ Bank OZK Arena. Finally, the Tigers’ most dominant all-around athlete was nominated to the ArVCA first ever All-Star game scheduled for November 22 in Greenbrier. That announcement came off the heels of her nomination to the AHSCA All-Star Team.
“Kaylee (Ward) earned it,” emphasized Mansfield head coach Kaylie Pyles. “She was a great leader and encouraging player - a great role model for the underclassmen this season.
“I mean, it’s a huge honor for each year getting to play senior high,” continued the coach, “achieving three out of four championships, incredible! Topping off her senior year with a most valuable player award - I mean she really earned it all.”
To no one’s surprise, the Arkansas Volleyball Coaches Association recognized Ward’s major contribution to the sport. A committee was eager to get the small school MVP to join their inaugural All-Star game scheduled to take place this upcoming weekend. However, as Pyles explained it, Ward has already committed to play Division-1 basketball at Oral Roberts University next school year. As such, the multi-sport star has opted to bypass the All-Star volleyball game to concentrate on her newly started senior season of basketball.
Mansfield sophomore outside hitter, Miley Clopton, was also voted by the 3A-1 conference head coaches to be placed on the class 3A All-State volleyball team. The all rotation player was cited for her strong offensive skill sets along with her dynamic backrow defensive support.
“Miley Clopton was one of the big names at the meeting (3A-1 district meeting),” noted Pyles. “Everyone noticed how powerful she was. They knew how much of a big offensive threat she was to everyone in the league. That’s special being a sophomore earning those awards and that type of recognition.”
Classmate Adeline Godwin, the only other Mansfield sophomore to play all around the court, had a fantastic season and state tournament until an unfortunate ankle sprain sidelined her in the state semifinals. Despite missing the state finals with injury, she played so remarkably well in the early rounds that she made the Volleyball All-State Tournament Team.
“Adeline was one of our key factors this season everywhere on the court,” Mansfield’s head coach proclaimed. “Serving with aces, assists - setting Kaylee and Miley, and also getting lots of defensive digs and hustle plays, she was fantastic.
“Offensively hitting, she was one of our top hitters and leader in assists. She had a great tournament the first two games. She was one of the big reasons why we won the Harrisburg game - great offensive threat there. Unfortunately, she went down with injury in the semifinals”
Mansfield’s only upperclassman other than Ward to make the Volleyball All-State Tournament Team was junior Danielle Lowery. Lowery was credited for momentum shifting plays at the net. Strategic blocks and opportune kills made her a legitimate weapon throughout the state tournament.
“Danielle had a massive game in the finals,” rejoiced the Lady Tiger mentor, “lots of touches on the ball, lots of blocks. She was a big offensive threat. Everytime we gave her the ball, she almost got a kill. Her hitting percentage was really good. Danielle was a big impact player - great energy from an upperclassman."
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
