2027 Positional Rankings: Outsides Overview!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We dig into the updated 2027 rankings, spotlighting the outside hitters in a deep and already accomplished class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Five Overview</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="margin: 0px;padding: 0px"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='412070' first='Mara' last='Sandberg']</strong>- #1 OH, #3 Overall. Sandberg will play with up in age with CPA 17 this season. She was a first-team 3A/4A All-GSL selection for Gonzaga Prep.&nbsp;</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='460680' first='Cadence' last='Bigby']</strong>- #2 OH, #4 Overall. The Kamiak sophomore captured 4A All-Wesco 1st team honors this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333217' first='Kinley' last='Smith']</strong>- #3 OH, #8 Overall. Smith moves into the top ten after a massive school season for Timberline. She was a Tacoma News Tribune All-Area first-team selection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='499395' first='Shannara' last='Peebles']</strong>- #4 OH, #10 Overall. Peebles racked up the kills all season for Monroe, and her overall game continued to grow; she was named All-Wesco.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='499398' first='Sophia' last='Gourley']</strong>- #5 OH, #11 Overall. The Columbia River attacker is the next star for the Rapids. She was at her best post-season, capturing a State Championship in 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top-ranked players at the position share similar traits: They are explosive six-rotation players, all 5'10" or more, with excellent training through terrific club programs. They all captured All-League honors in highly competitive leagues and contributed significantly to their teams' success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499496"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d3a1056599"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fobi has excellent athleticism and instincts on the court. She uses a hard-to-read roll shot when she needs to score with an off-speed shot from the pin. Her quick transitions allow her to be available for her setters, and she can finish with a thundering swing when they find her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["473845"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d3a1056600"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mcintosh reads the game well and is an efficient and accurate attacker. She plays gritty defense and has a high-powered offensive game that she maximizes with excellent timing and snaps on her swing. Mcintosh stays patient and behind the ball in her approach, and she rarely feels rushed or out of rhythm on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499406"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d3a1056645"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The #50 overall player in the updated rankings, Guardipee battled and found success against the formidable lineup of teams in the 4A SPSL. The 5'9" Guardipee totaled 14 kills on 41 swings in a win versus Olympia at the State tournament. That followed up a match with 16 kills on 25 swings against Kennedy Catholic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486712"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d3a1056684"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Mead standout is likely headed to the next level as a beach player. She is terrific on the sand, which translates to her indoor game. Smeltzer helped the Panthers return to the State Tournament in a season that included moving up to 4A and replacing multi-year starters at setter and libero. The sophomore has a whippy arm swing and quick reactions at the net. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498772"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677d3a10566c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Demirjian is fearless. She works the line and the sharp angle with hard swings, throws, and shots, forcing teams to defend every inch of the court. The sophomore from Wenatchee grew stronger as the season progressed, and she will be critical to the Panthers's continued pursuit of State Tournament trophies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three More to Watch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="margin: 0px;padding: 0px"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='499498' first='Eden' last='Bernardy']</strong>- Bernardy was one of the best servers in the highly competitive NWC; her hitting and defense both continue to improve, and her overall floor game is super solid.</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="margin: 0px;padding: 0px"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='501654' first='Harper' last='Neyens']</strong>- Neyens was a major contributor to the Stanwood, running up a 9-1 league record; she posted tremend</span>ous kill numbers on the season, mixing in smart tips and rolls to compliment her punishing swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='664787' first='Brianna' last='Alexeyenko']</strong>- Playing for 1A Valley Christian, Alexeyenko captured a spot on the All-Opponent team and helped lead the Panthers from the Spokane Valley to the State Tournament. She has a hard-driving arm swing and took crucial swings for the Panthers with matches on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->