The returning Gatorade State Player of the Year, the 6-foot junior setter led the Bulldogs to a 30-6 record and the Class 7A state championship this past season. Powell amassed 917 assists, 298 digs, 124 kills, 75 service aces and 45 blocks. A two-time member of the All-Arkansas Preps First Team, Powell was a member of the 2016 USA Volleyball Girls' Youth National Team, which placed second at the North, Central American and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Girls' U18 Continental Championship this past September. She concluded her junior year with 2,931 assists in her prep volleyball career.
Powell has maintained a 3.63 GPA in the classroom. She has made a verbal commitment to play volleyball on scholarship at the University of Washington beginning in the fall of 2018.
Powell has volunteered locally with her school's chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and as a youth volleyball coach. "Ella May Powell is involved in every single play, and I see the difference she makes for the Bulldogs," said Julie Rowan, head coach of Bentonville West High. "In addition to her fantastic setting, she is a force to be reckoned with from the service line."
