Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Brooke Rockwell
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
SCHOOL Fayetteville
CLASS Sophomore
HEIGHT 5-9
Position Outside Hitter
THE SCOOP Rockwell was honored as a member of the All Arkansas Preps Underclassmen team. … She was a solid all-around contributor for the Class 6A state champion Lady Purple’Dogs, finishing with 230 kills, 108 digs, 29 service aces and 304 serve receptions with just nine errors. .. She also stepped up offensively as year progressed especially following the loss of senior Perry Flannigan to injury and then again when Rosana Hicks went out in the state finals. … Rockwell finished with 18 kills and 22 digs in that state finals victory over Fort Smith Southside.
DID YOU KNOW? Rockwell’s grown literally and figuratively. Two years ago, Rockwell was just 5-foot-6 and only played back row. She’s now grown to more the 5-9 and touching early 10 feet. Thanks to her physical growth, she became a key offensive contributor as a sophomore this season to help Fayetteville claim the Class 6A state championship. Rockwell is also hopeful to continue what’s become a family tradition of taking a ski trip to Colorado. She’s been making that trip annually since age three either at Christmas or Spring Break. But covid-19 has put that streak in jeopardy, Rockwell said.
QUOTABLE “This year was a little different for me because I have always mainly been a defensive player, but I have grown so much over the last several months that I have started hitting as well. It’s fun to get to play different positions. Winning the state championship was great. We had several great seniors. players and when we had two out with injuries, it even become more important to win for them.