Pin Power: Standout Outsides and Opposites

The heartbeat of every lineup often comes from the pins. Outsides and opposites not only take the most swings, they embrace the pressure of being the go-to options when the game is on the line. They pass in tough rotations, put away big balls in transition, and steady their teams with calm confidence when momentum shifts. At the PrepDig Showcase, this group of athletes proved they can do it all. From high-flying attacks to gritty back-row defense, they brought the kind of leadership, resilience, and competitive fire that makes them true six-rotation players. These versatile attackers showed why they are indispensable now and why their games will translate seamlessly to the next level.    [player_tooltip player_id='716429' first='Hollie' last='Hiatt'] brings energy and encouragement every time she steps on the court. She thrives on building up her teammates, knowing that a team performs its best when every player feels supported. Hollie has been sharpening her communication in serve receive to eliminate confusion and strengthen her team's cohesion. Her teammates describe her as competitive yet supportive, someone who balances determination with positivity. Hollie explained, “My strengths are my ability to cheer on and encourage my teammates in order to help the whole team perform their best.” She also shared a lighthearted fact, she previously played soccer and can even touch her nose with her tongue. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     With strong court awareness, powerful swings, and high volleyball IQ, [player_tooltip player_id='786779' first='Teagan' last='Lee'] stands out as a versatile pin hitter. She credits communication and a steady mindset as key strengths, allowing her to impact games whether through her own scoring or by setting up her teammates. Recently, she has focused on improving her back-row defense, an area she believes will help her stand out to college coaches. Teagan shared, “I have been focusing on improving my defense in the back row because it can help me stand out in crowds.” Once a very shy kid, she says volleyball helped her find her voice and grow in confidence. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='839793' first='Taylor' last='Thomas'] is a competitor who pushes herself to do whatever the team needs in order to succeed. A leader and role model, she works hard to set an example with her extra effort on and off the court. She has recently placed a strong emphasis on her serve receive and ball placement, aiming to show consistency in all six rotations while adding creativity as a scorer. Her teammates and coaches describe her as reliable, hardworking, and a natural leader. Taylor explained, “These are both important to my development as a college prospect because it shows colleges I am not only consistent from both front and back row, I am also able to be creative when it comes to getting points.” She also shared a personal dream, one day she hopes to become a sideline sports reporter. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Mentally strong and physically tough, [player_tooltip player_id='435541' first='Ava' last='Villela'] brings grit and resilience to every match. She takes pride in her competitive edge, always ready to battle and never willing to give up. Determined to become a more complete player, Ava has been working hard on her defense so she can be trusted in any rotation or position on the court. She described herself as both mentally and physically tough, and summed up her mindset with, “I don't give up. I come ready to play.” ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Consistency and aggressiveness are the defining traits of [player_tooltip player_id='733108' first='Lexi' last='LeVier']'s game. She believes both are necessary at the next level, where skill alone is not enough. Lexi has spent time improving her mental approach, developing a stronger next-play mindset that allows her to recover quickly and play at a higher level. She explained, “Recently I've improved a lot at moving on from my mistakes and learning next play mentality which has increased my consistency when I play.” Teammates see her as dependable, steady, and supportive, while she also stands out off the court for her love of creative writing. Lexi regularly writes short stories and reads a new book every one to two weeks. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='531072' first='Brooklynn' last='Draheim'] embraces leadership both on and off the court. She takes responsibility for keeping her team together and focused. She has made serve receive a top priority, understanding how critical it is for outsides to execute that skill consistently at the college level. Equally important to her has been the mental side of the game, learning to bounce back quickly from mistakes. Brooklynn explained, “Focusing on my mental toughness will really boost my importance as a college prospect.” Her coaches and teammates describe her as highly competitive with a winning mentality. Beyond volleyball, she is equally committed to her academics, holding a 4.56 GPA and ranking 13th out of more than 400 students. Her long-term goal is to become a physical therapist. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Offensive firepower and relentless defense define [player_tooltip player_id='780545' first='Elle' last='Binn']'s game. She is known for her wide range of swings and smart shot selection, while also excelling in serve receive and back-row defense. Mentally, she prides herself on staying composed and never letting mistakes linger. She shared, “I can also keep my mental game in check no matter the situation, making sure not to linger on things that are now in the past.” Coaches and teammates describe her as a leader and a rock, someone who is fiercely competitive and committed to constant growth. Away from volleyball, Elle enjoys cooking, baking, and diving into books or new TV series. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Adaptability and energy are central to [player_tooltip player_id='837754' first='Aniyah' last='Peoples']' success. She is diverse in her shot selection and quick to adjust to different positions or situations. Aniyah has been working to strengthen her leadership skills, understanding that college volleyball requires both mental toughness and the ability to elevate teammates. She explained, “Volleyball is a team sport and bigger than one player. In order to excel at the college level I needed to learn to be mentally strong myself and able to help my teammates through their struggles as well.” Her teammates describe her as passionate, determined, confident, and hardworking. She is also a multi-sport athlete, competing in two sports to keep her body conditioned. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Calm and focused, [player_tooltip player_id='828102' first='Olivia' last='Ford'] is a smart player who prides herself on a steady mindset. She has worked to improve her defensive skills, transitioning from middle to opposite and embracing new challenges in the back row. Olivia explained, “I started out as a middle so I didn't start out with a lot of experience playing defense. Now that I am an oppo, I am really trying to focus more on improving my skills as a defensive player.” Coaches and teammates see her as someone who plays with focus and positivity while always striving to improve. Off the court, Olivia has a love for animals. 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The Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas and the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona provide stages for athletes to showcase growth, leadership, and competitive drive. It is the perfect time to read, share, and support their journey as they compete in front of college coaches and elevate their game against top-tier competition.   🔥 Players — Use this article to grow. Take notes, study what makes others stand out, and apply it to your own journey. Want to go further? Reach out to a featured athlete and introduce yourself. Build connections, not just stats.   📣 Club Coaches & Directors — Share this with your teams. If your athletes are highlighted, celebrate them loudly. Post it, tag us, and help their stories reach the right eyes. Visibility is everything.   🎯 College Coaches — Tag these athletes in your University Athlete app and evaluate them as potential fits for your program. 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The heartbeat of every lineup often comes from the pins. Outsides and opposites not only take the most swings, they embrace the pressure of being the go-to options when the game is on the line. They pass in tough rotations, put away big balls in transition, and steady their teams with calm confidence when momentum shifts. At the PrepDig Showcase, this group of athletes proved they can do it all. From high-flying attacks to gritty back-row defense, they brought the kind of leadership, resilience, and competitive fire that makes them true six-rotation players. These versatile attackers showed why they are indispensable now and why their games will translate seamlessly to the next level.