Arkansas Volleyball Inks Three on Signing Day
The Razorbacks have reloaded for the 2027 volleyball season as three athletes put pen to paper on National Signing Day – Gemma Hopkins, Ashley Troxell and Evelyn Venters.
“Our 2027 class nicely complements the work already ongoing in Barnhill,” head coach Jason Watson said. “They bring a strong work ethic coupled with a healthy sense of competition.”
Arkansas gets new faces at nearly each position with the 2027 class, Hopkins at libero, Troxell at outside hitter, and Venters at middle blocker.
Gemma Hopkins | L | 5’6 | Tomball, Texas
Gemma Hopkins comes to Fayetteville from Tomball, Texas, playing prep for Tomball High School and club for Houston Juniors. At Tomball, Hopkins amassed 2,148 career digs and was a two-time District 15 6A MVP. In her senior season, Hopkins was named to the GHVCA Postseason Team, TGCA All-Star Team, and was an AVCA All-America Watch List, Best and Brightest, and All-Region selection. In 2025, Hopkins was named a 5-star by PrepVolleyball and was placed on the AVCA Phenom list. After being named the Preseason 6A Player of the Year, Hopkins went on to earn VYPE All-State Team, GHVCA All-Houston Team, and GHVCA Postseason Team Honors. She led the Tomball Cougars in digs per set in all of her four seasons and helped push the team to back-to-back district titles in 2025 and 2026. Hopkins has garnered national acclaim with frequent USA National Team Development Program appearances and invitations and was named the No. 15 overall recruit in the PrepVolleyball Top 150 last spring.
Coach Watson says…
“Gemma brings to Barnhill the skills needed to further develop our program in the coming years. Her passing and defensive skills will enhance our ability to create and score points.”
Ashley Troxell | OH | 5’6 | Buford, Ga.
Ashley Troxell continues an Arkansas trend of traditionally undersized but powerful outside hitters. The Buford, Ga. native is a product of A5 Volleyball and Hebron Christian Academy. Over the course of her high school career, Ashley was a two-time All-State honoree, three-time All-Region honoree, 2025 Gwinnett County Player of the Year and 2024 State Champion. She accumulated 1,330 career kills and led the team in kills per set in three of her four seasons. She posted a .313 career hitting percentage at Hebron, 3.20 total kills per set. With A5, she was a 2026 All-American and earned third place finishes in AAU USA 17s and Open 18s competition and third place at USAV Open 18s.
Coach Watson says…
“It’s important to help build our program around athletes that don’t do just one aspect of the game well but can play and perform all of the skills well. We have found that in Ashley. She’ll continue to refine and develop over her career.”
Evelyn Venters | MB | 6’2 | Bentonville, Ark.
Evelyn Venters is a local talent out of Bentonville High School and Ozark Juniors/NWAJ Storm. Venters holds the Bentonville High School record for career blocks with 396 and set a record for single season blocks in 2026 with 140. She was a two-time 6A All-State honoree and All-State Tournament in 2026. Venters was rated the top middle blocker in Arkansas and No. 2 overall player in the state last spring. In 2025, Venters and the Tigers were 6A West Conference Champions, and she was named 6A West All-Conference in 2024. She led Bentonville in blocks and hitting percentage in every season but her rookie campaign. In her club career, Venters has been a UA Next Under Armour invitee and has attended USA Volleyball National Team Development Program camps in 2025 and 2026.
Coach Watson says…
“One of the most versatile athletes coming out of Arkansas in this recruiting class. A solid volleyball player who is able to do more than play middle. Excited to watch her further grow and impact our program.”
More Information
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