Midseason Report: Top Outside Hitters

<p>We are roughly in the middle of the season based on the date of the season as we have now moved into October. I want to take this opportunity to do my Midseason Report which will entail the top outside hitters, setters, opposites, middle blockers, and defensive specialists/liberoes. Let’s take a look at the top outside hitters first. These ladies have really impressed me this season. The list is in no particular order. </p> <p><em><strong>Olivia Alicante (St. Thomas Aquinas)</strong></em></p> <p>Alicante showed promise as a freshman in the spring for St. Thomas Aquinas. I certainly did not think she would explode the way she has to one of the best already in her sophomore season. Her length gives everyone problems and her volleyball IQ is off the charts. She is able to make so many in-game adjustments to ensure her success. She has 144 kills on the season at the moment. </p> [caption id="attachment_123890" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-123890" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/12/ashanna-caviness-300x205.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="205" /> Photo: <a href="https://njpowerranking.com/2020/09/12/ashanna-caviness-hidden-gem-in-bogota-success/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Jersey Power Ranking</a>[/caption] <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99875" first="Ashanna" last="Caviness"] (Bogota)</strong></em></p> <p>Caviness was a consistent presence in the middle for Bogota, and her numbers showed it in her first two seasons. Now, she has made the switch to the outside and she has only grown as a complete player. Her ability to hit from the inside and outside make her almost impossible to stop. She has 134 kills on the year which is almost double, the most she has had in a season prior. </p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153457" first="Patricia" last="Rakova"] (Verona)</strong></em></p> <p>When it comes to Verona, you look no further than Rakova. She is a force on the outside with a live arm and is starting to find her own defensively as she is starting to see more playing time in the back row. The junior has taken her game to new heights with more creativity and more complete as an all-around outside with 145 kills and 102 digs. </p> <p><em><strong>Samiyah Abdur Rahim (Montclair Kimberly)</strong></em></p> <p>Abdur Rahim has everything going with her swing showing her versatility going cross-court, down the line, tips, rolls, etc. But that was not all as she has been solid defensively playing as an all-around outside hitter. The junior has Montclair Kimberly unbeaten and continues to grow as she has 135 kills, 87 digs and 54 aces on the year. </p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99872" first="Kate" last="Stoughton"] (Brick Memorial)</strong></em></p> <p>Stoughton has become one of the stars in the state. She can punish you from anywhere on the court with a live arm and the ability to hit on angles. The senior has been on the scene since she was a freshman. Now, she has put herself in the conversation as one of the best in the state. She presently has 115 kills and 70 digs. </p>