Prep Season Preview: 5A Top Returning Pins
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Not a subscriber? Use the code ADAMS30 for 30% off! High school season is right around the corner. Tryouts were the week of August 14th, and league play starts the week of September 4th. As usual, Prep Dig will be…
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High school season is right around the corner. Tryouts were the week of August 14th, and league play starts the week of September 4th.
As usual, Prep Dig will be following the action. But until it starts, we will highlight the top players returning in each position.
Next up, the top pin hitters from the 5A classification.
The #1 outside hitter for the class of 2024, Arnett has been a major impact player for West Albany High School for several years now. She received Mid-Willamette all-league first team and all-state second team honors for her spectacular play as a six-rotation outside hitter this past season. Arnett was also a standout for her NPJ 17-1 National team, where she showed her dynamic ability to not just put the ball away consistently from both the front and back row, but also play solid defense and pass consistently on serve receive. Arnett is entering her senior year ready to dominate for Bulldogs once more.
Another West Albany outside hitter, Blake is a super athletic player who has a ton of potential to become an absolute weapon all around. Blake earned Mid-Willamette all-league honorable mention accolades this past season. On her NPJ 16-1 National team, she dominated from the front row, using her hammer of an arm, her explosive approach, and her height to bury the ball frequently. Blake will be one to follow over these next two years.
Highlights
A pin hitter for Centennial, Boyd is an athletic attacker with a solid vertical and high reach on the ball. She adjusts well to the ball and swings deep into the court, creating scoring opportunities even when out of system. Boyd played for the NPJ 16 Portland team this club season, where she improved on her right side attack and further developed her fast arm swing. Boyd is entering her high school season ready to dominate for the Eagles.
Highlights
Crescent Valley pin hitter Buford had a solid season last fall, and should continue to be an important piece of Crescent Valley’s impressive lineup this season as the Raiders seek another state championship. Buford is a consistent attacker, and although she is a bit undersized on the outside, Buford manages to get up high to put the ball deep into the court. She is also a super quick defensive player, which she showed during her club season with the G3 16-1 team.
Fauth transferred to Wilsonville from Tigard this year, after a great season with the Tigers for which she earned Three Rivers all-league honorable mention accolades. Wilsonville will likely rely heavily on Fauth this season for her offensive power, especially with all-stars Makenna Wiepert and Emma Alewine having graduated. After her season with the Volleyball Alliance 16-1 team, Fauth impressed us during the recent Stock Up Showcase with her heavy arm and explosive approach. She will be one to watch this season.
Highlights
Addi Holcombe
Addi Holcombe
Hitting from the outside for Eagle Point last fall, Holcombe had a standout season and was named to the Midwestern all-league first team. Holcombe managed to notch an impressive 262 kills last season, making the top 30 stat leaders list in kills statewide. Holcombe is a smart attacker, which she uses well to find open court consistently. It will be fun to see how Holcombe plays this fall.
Jacobson was instrumental in Crescent Valley’s state championship win last fall. The six-rotation outside hitter earned Mid-Willamette all-league first team and all-state second team accolades for her impressive play all-around, and tallied a solid 313 kills over the course of the season. Jacobson played on the G3 16-1 team this past club season, where she continued to showcase her heavy arm and an explosive approach. Jacobson is an incredibly solid passer on serve receive and in defense, too, making her a player who is hard to beat.
Lockman had a breakout freshman year for Crescent Valley, playing on the pins throughout the season. Lockman puts up a big block, and she has a super powerful and fast arm swing, jumping high and burying the ball effortlessly. After playing in the middle this past club season for the G3 16-1 team, Lockman has shown that she is a versatile and dynamic offensive player and can hit from any position on the court. It will be fun to see how she continues to develop over the next few years.
Highlights
Mitchell was a major factor in the North Eugene High School Highlanders’ success last season as a six-rotation attacker, earning Midwestern all-league first team honors for her play. She is a super physical and athletic player, using her heavy and powerful arm to push the ball through any block that she faces. Mitchell is also a versatile and dynamic attacker and can put the ball away effectively from either pin. After playing for the NPJ 16-1 National team last season, Mitchell is well-prepared for her junior year.
Highlights
Ruhl had a great season last fall as one of the six-rotation outside hitters for Summit, showcasing her impressive and quick defensive play from middle back and her explosive and powerful swing from the front left. Thanks to her solid play, Ruhl earned Intermountain all-league second team honors. Ruhl played for the NPJ 18 Bend team this past season and is entering her senior year ready to take on the bulk of offensive plays, with Shannon MacCallum having graduated.
With her explosive approach and high reach on the ball, Schuller was an effective offensive player for Bend last fall, where she primarily played three rotations of outside in the front row. Schuller played for the NPJ 16 Bend team this past season, where she has continued to hone in on her shots and further develop her attacking arsenal. With Jillian Stein having just graduated, the Lava Bears will be looking to Schuller for her offensive power from the left.
Ranked as the #3 right side attacker for the class of 2025, Sweet is an integral part of the Corvallis lineup. As a leftie, she primarily played on the right pin for the Spartans this past season, but is a versatile offensive player and can play from the middle as needed. Sweet just finished her season with the G3 17-1 team, where she played both middle and right side, improving more on her blocking ability and dynamic attacking that will surely benefit Corvallis this season.