Must-See Athletes "Playing Up" in 2022: Pin Hitters

Time to give a nod to the overachievers. Every year, we find high-impact club athletes that are playing an age group (or two) higher than the rest of their class. Some of these playing-up scenarios are mandatory based on an athlete's age, while others are simply a good fit for a different team. Regardless of the circumstances, we've taken note of several players throughout the 2022 season who have made the most of playing up. Chris Fitzgerald recently published a <a href="https://prepdig.com/2022/05/2025s-playing-up-and-crushing-the-competition/">playing up feature on the Class of 2025</a> that mentions several names to know already. I'll be building on that motif here, but we'll also be throwing in a ton of 2024s for this series. Let's kick it off with pin hitters.   [caption id="attachment_197187" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-197187" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/05/IMG_6604-crop-4032x2648-1653367186-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Acevedo attacks for Idaho Crush.[/caption] Alex Acevedo - 6'2 OH - Idaho Crush 17 Bower - Class of 2024 This Idaho Crush 17s team is packed with 2024s, so keep this squad in mind as we continue this series. Acevedo has the distinction of being one of the only committed 2024s in the country, having pledged to Oregon way back before the current "June 15th rules" were put in place. I've seen Idaho Crush at plenty of national qualifier venues, and Acevedo has made a splash everywhere. Her rare physicality is tough to stop in the 17s division, and it also makes you forget that this outside hitter is just a 2024.   Ella Tiarks - 6'5 RS - Nebraska Elite 17-1 - Class of 2024 Tiarks has taken a huge step forward as a shutdown opposite for Nebraska Elite 17-1 this year. She's one of several Iowa prep stars who cross the river to play club ball in the Cornhusker State, and it's safe to say that Tiarks has found a good fit with her 17s squad. Her block touch consistently slows down opposing left sides. Better yet, Tiarks is finding her rhythm in the attacking phase with more high-level training in the Elite gym.   [player_tooltip player_id="107898" first="Olivia" last="Swenson"] - 6'3 OH - MN Select 17-1 - Class of 2024 This is an obvious choice. MN Select 17-1's fabulous weekend at the Show Me Qualifier is still fresh on my mind, and Swenson was a huge catalyst for that success. She has been hammering away on the left pin and regularly connects well with twin sister Stella at setter -- which is a surprise to no one. I'm thrilled to see Swenson and her MN Select team get a shot on the Nationals stage this summer, and the team's 2024s will never look out of place.   [caption id="attachment_197194" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-197194" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/05/IMG_8690-crop-2715x1783-1653367871-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Morrissey (24) competes with Rockwood Thunder at the Show Me Qualifier.[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="124216" first="Claire" last="Morrissey"] - 6'0 OH/RS - Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite - Class of 2024 Missouri has been flexing its dominance in the Class of 2024, and Morrissey is one to know from Rockwood Thunder's 17s entry. This multi-talented hitter helped her St. Louis squad snag a Nationals bid at Show Me and impressed in a ton of different spots. Morrissey can tee off on the left pin in the frontcourt but is also a scoring threat on the D-ball in the backcourt. A sort of outside-opposite hybrid role is a great way to put Morrissey's impressive versatility on display, and we'll keep following her role progression heading into the summer.   [player_tooltip player_id="180175" first="Samara" last="Coleman"] - 5'11 OH - TAV Houston 16 Adidas - Class of 2025 16 Adidas has a ton of high flyers in its frontcourt, and Coleman joins the fray from the Class of 2025. Even while playing up, Coleman has been a persistent standout for TAV Houston with her impressive range and power on the outside. Her skills and athleticism have garnered her another invite to USAV's summer training series. It's a testament to Coleman's huge potential, and there's no doubt that she will put that experience to good use.   Jaidyn Jager - 6'1 OH - COAST 16-1 - Class of 2025 After making an instant impact with La Costa Canyon in last year's high school season, Jager is back doing the same with COAST. Her heavy, driving swing on the left pin provides instant offense for her 16s team. Being out of system is not enough to slow down Jager, either, as she is often able to terminate on a variety of tough swings throughout a match. In a state full of standouts and volleyball talent, don't lose sight of athletes like Jager who play beyond their years.   Hannah Hankerson - 5'6 OH/DS - OT 16 T Jason - Class of 2025 It has been a treat to watch Hankerson jump out of the gym for OTVA. Triple Crown NIT was a breakout event for Hankerson and OT 16 T Jason, and I've had this 2025 outside hitter on my radar ever since. Her backcourt skills also allow her to carry a defensive specialist role if she's not already playing six rotations as a left-side hitter. Florida talents like Hankerson should continue to pop up as we approach the club season's big conclusion.