2026 Rankings Update: Pin Hitters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside hitters make up the top three spots overall in our 2026 Rankings Update, and the #2 player is now Gabi Thompson, moving one place up from #3. Thompson has grown taller, terminates with more power on the pin, and excels at passing and serving tough. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='450701' first='Gabriella' last='Thompson']</strong>- Athena 16 Gold</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson continues to grow her game, adding height and power to her play on the pin. She has a great feel and is handling business in serve receive as a six-rotation player for Athena 16 Gold. She moves from #3 to #2 in the rankings, behind WVBA 18 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='231549' first='Laura' last='Eichert']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18540709/65fe473b0c5e830c58c96ed8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660a3684ab90e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"32564","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","state":"29309","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e946f433b5b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["395703"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Carey-Boxley is showing her potential as a six-rotation attacker after making the move to OH after playing as a middle previously. Her athleticism in space and exceptional vertical let her operate at a high level on the pin, and her instincts as a trained middle show up when she is working the block. Her play defensively and passing in serve receive are on there way to catching up to her high-level offensive skills.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eabfcd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19034547/65e508c85b3d6b09fcd00224' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660a3684ac0f7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["450252"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The sophomore from North Kitsap is part of a deep rotation of attackers for Dakine 16, and the 2026 prospect can deliver the hammer when she needs tp deliver a big swing. Brockett has long arms and a strong frame, she is able to drive swings through the block or hammer balls off block and out of bounds for points. Defensively her strong hands help her to play the ball overhand and play off blocker defense, Brockett is a hard worker in all aspects of the game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eac023"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12655671/647acc95176c7e1750680631' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660645ed1ec7e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations":"","_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eac069"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409345"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The 2026 Hazen prospect stands 5'10u0022 and we really like the growth in her game playing for Sudden Impact this club season. May-Kelly has heavy hands, she hits a driving ball that finds the floor to score. SIVBC runs her on both pins, she has solid footwork and a good takeoff that helps her generate extra power.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eac0ad"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17334404/660013d664dedb051ce40e69' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6608eaaf0d031"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations":"","_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eac0f0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490804"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The Ridgeline sophomore is playing full-time as a six-rotation right-side for her Renovators squad, and at 5'11 has the height and athleticism to cause problems as a n attacker and blocker. Phipps is a physical player, with good strength and a smooth right-side approach that generates good power on her swings. She is strong center lining or angling passes to her setter in serve receive, Phipps has good feet when she needs to give ground and cushion a hard serve.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eac133"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/WGl5Z38WkEU?si=vduIORafeF7Yhbjg","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/WGl5Z38WkEU?si=vduIORafeF7Yhbjg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["249336"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Leipheimer is a passing ace who could play at the next level as a quality ds/libero, but she is too good of an attacker to play there exclusively for her Dakine squad. The Tahoma Bear has a hard to handle cutty swing to the hard angle that she employs to terminate points. Leipheimer has a high overall skill level and volleyball IQ that fits her versatility on the court. She had to even play MB during the high school season and she made it work standing just 5'8u0022.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eac174"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Prep Dig Player Index: Free Profile</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Please claim your free profile at the Prep Dig Player Index. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Any article with you listed will have the picture you choose with your profile, and you can load highlight videos directly to the profile. That is a helpful way for scouts here at Prep Dig to find your height, school, club, etc., and watch any film you have available.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">Prep Dig Prospect Index</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->