Diving Deep into the Outside Hitters in the 2026 Ranking Update

There is a deep well of talent in the class of 2026, and the outside hitters are no exception. This article is a deep dive into the outside hitters in the class of 2026 ranking update, including top-ranked athletes, stock risers, new names, and names to know. Let's dive in.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top-Ranked Athletes</h2>    Peyton is the #1 ranked athlete in the class. The amount of court she takes up alone is enough to make her dangerous to any team she goes up against. Even against the toughest teams, Peyton can serve receive half the court consistently. She has an incredibly high volleyball IQ and is smart, precise, and powerful on offense. She is also ranked in the top 100 nationally and will be headed to Creighton for college. Peyton can play on the pin or at the libero position.     Marlee is explosive and lethal as a six-rotation pin. Her back-row attacks are almost as effective as her front-row swings. She is a go-to hitter who can manufacture point after point. Marlee is also a superb passer and defender and has incredible court awareness. Her all-around game is some of the best in the country, where she is #102 in the national rankings.     Natalie is a pin committed to Princeton. She has been a powerhouse pin in this class since she exploded onto our radar as a freshman, and she has yet to slow down. Her drive and passion on the court set her apart. Natalie is a physical player who can power through and over blocks. She is another well-rounded six-rotation player.     Addison is a newer addition to the Wisconsin volleyball scene this year after having moved to Wisconsin earlier this year. She was a key player for DSHA's State Championship three-peat and is now a spark of energy on Sting 17 Gold. Addison is explosive yet smart and can terminate in high-pressure situations. She only continues to impress as we have the opportunity to watch her continue to play at a high level.     Sydnee has to be one of the most frustrating pins to play against in this class. She is a high-flying pin who is savvy throughout matches. She has fantastic court awareness and can take swings based on how she sees the defense moving. Her hard cross shot is consistent and nearly impossible to defend. No matter where she is on the court or if the set is in or out of system, Sydnee seems to know exactly how to make the ball hit the ground on the opposite side of the net.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stock Risers</h2>    Kaitlin jumped from #46 in the ranking to #32. She is now one of the top 10 outside hitters in this class. In the past season, Kaitlin has really gained in her physicality on the court. She just seems to have that little extra edge, a higher vertical, faster arm swing, and crisper shots. All of the improvements that come with a lot of hard work and time spent playing high-level volleyball. She is a player on the rise and one to watch closely.     Mallory improved from #21 in the rankings to #17. Breaking into the top 20 is very hard to do, but Mallory's ability to score on either pin and across the back row makes her a versatile weapon. Her Sting United team is making waves this season, and Mallory is one of their pin,s putting up big numbers across the board. She is a SDSU commit with a high ceiling and huge potential.     Chayse has been thriving recently. She jumped from #72 to #64 in the rankings. Chayse has gotten coverage from multiple tournaments for her impact in matches. Her energy, efficiency in execution, and competitiveness make her a tough opponent to play against. Chayse is a pin that only continues to rise in our rankings as she plays competitively. She doesn't miss a beat on the court and is always ready and engaged to earn points.     Ella is a player who jumped from #134 in the rankings to #75. She is an athlete who has exploded onto my radar recently. Her ability to find creative shots from either pin really sets her apart. Ella also is very consistent and finds ways to limit errors while staying aggressive. She has a high vertical and is dynamic and disciplined on the court. Ella is the definition of a go-to hitter - she is reliable yet competitive and can make momentum-changing plays.     Brooke jumped a large amount in this ranking, from #143 to #89. When I had the opportunity to see her play at the Champions Cup a few weeks ago, she had really rounded out her game as a 6-rotation athlete, and her power was impressive. She absolutely soared throughout the weekend and was a consistent force in every skill. Brooke also puts up a solid block and is a highly competitive server. She is the whole package as an athlete and would be a huge addition to a college roster.     I will say this right now: do not sleep on Penny! When she connects on a set, she is scarily good. She improved from #160 to #102, but this is likely just the start. Penny has all the makings of a high-level pin. She is disciplined in transition, smart with her shots, and consistent in out-of-system situations. Penny is a point-earner and does a great job. As she continues to improve and impress, she will continue to turn heads with her talent.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Names to the Rank</h2>    Madalyn is the pin hitter you didn't know you needed on your radar. She is an absolute powerhouse and one of the pins who could make a massive difference in this class. Her potential is sky-high. Madalyn is smart, precise, and ruthless on the court. She is a multi-sport athlete who has great court awareness and is an all-around athlete. She brings incredible power and energy and is a hidden gem you must have on your radar in this class.     Jamie is a high-flying pin who absolutely soars. Her scrappy and quick play, along with her relentless nature on the court make her a point-earning machine on any team she is on. She has a huge amount of potential and has elevated her game every time I see her play. Jamie never backs down and is an impressive athlete to watch.     Riley is another player with a huge vertical. She is quick to react and makes awesome on-court adjustments. She has an incredibly high ceiling and is one of the main point earners for her team. Riley is a consistent force on the court and an all-around player. Her pass-to-attack work is disciplined and efficient. She has an excellent cross-court shot but also utilizes numerous shots to manufacture points on the pin.     Natalee is a pin you can't take your eyes off of. Something tells me she will only continue to rise. Natalee is a scrappy but physical player who is explosive in everything she does. She has a nasty deep line shot that is nearly impossible to defend. Her ability to hide her shots from opponents is a tough skill to master, and she is an impact player on every team she plays on.     Nyla is a consistent force on the court. She is incredibly tough to defend. Her shot selection, defense, and overall athleticism set her apart. Nyla doesn't miss a beat on the court, and she shows a lot of grit and competitiveness. She was even noticed by other coaches and earned All Tournament Team honors at the President's Day Classic in Saint Louis a few weeks ago.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ranked Names to Know</h2>    Emily is a pin who I think flies a little under the radar. But what sets her apart is how dynamic she is. If you watch her play a match, or even a set, she can earn numerous kills, and not one will be in the same spot. From sharp cross to deep cross to line and even the finesse tip, swinging high hands, and well-placed roll shots, her tool box is deep, making her a complete unknown for opposing defenders.     Daelyn is an athlete who is improving and impressing a lot this season. She is a lefty who can play on both pins and has developed her serve receive. Her ability to swing across the net makes her a lethal option for her setters, no matter where she is. She is becoming a go-to hitter for her team and a reliable force on offense.     Ireland is a springy pin hitter with a huge upside. When she gets in a rhythm, she is tough to stop. She has good court vision and is a well-rounded and disciplined athlete. She can take over a game offensively and consistently manufacture points. Ireland is an athlete who could be a game-changer at the next level and is making a statement during this club season.     Gracie is a player who has awesome control of her armswing. She can adjust the pace of her swing to drop the ball exactly where she wants it or swing away full power for the big kill. Her arm swing is tough to read, making her a tough opponent to go against. Gracie has really leveled up her game as she has continued to play competitively, bringing a fun competitiveness and intensity to the court.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Watchlist Names to Know</h2>    Ava is a new name on our watchlist. She is a very well-rounded athlete who is a talented middle-back defender who can pick up balls from corner to corner. She is a consistent force on the court, typically playing all six rotations and impacting every skill. Everything Ava does is disciplined and consistent. She is reliable yet still able to make big plays and earn points in the front row and from the service line.     Natalie is a springy pin who uses her high vertical and great court awareness to place shots and earn points. She has a lethal cross-court cut shot and a beautiful and powerful deep line shot. Natalie has honed her swings to be precise and can place them exactly where she wants them. She was invited to the Badger Region High Performance Camp this summer.     Shelby is a pin who is tough to slow down. She makes very intentional shot selections and plays to win. She has a consistent arm swing and does not give away her shots until the last moment. This makes it difficult to predict where she will hit the ball. Shelby is a gamer who will do what she needs to do to get the job done.     Kacey really impressed me with her versatility and ability to swing on both pins. She has a lot of potential and is a go-to hitter on her team. No matter where she is, her setters will find her. Kacey impacts nearly any play and can consistently earn points in pass-to-attack situations.     Aeryn is a pin whose swings pack a punch. She is competitive and gritty and makes a difference with her physical play and leadership. She is an all-around athlete who brings energy and intensity to matches. Her intangibles really set her apart on the court.     Lani is a pin to keep an eye on. She puts in the work and shows growth every time she steps on the court. Her athleticism, coupled with her positive and competitive mindset, makes for a dangerous combination on the court. Lani is a player who will only continue to improve and impress at a fast rate.

There is a deep well of talent in the class of 2026, and the outside hitters are no exception. This article is a deep dive into the outside hitters in the class of 2026 ranking update, including top-ranked athletes, stock risers, new names, and names to know. Let's dive in.