Five Talented Undersized Outside Hitters in the State of Colorado

In a sport where height often dominates recruiting priorities, the success of undersized outside hitters continues to challenge traditional thinking. Despite standing shorter than their towering counterparts, these athletes are proving that power, precision, and relentless grit can outmatch sheer size. Whether it's through explosive verticals, elite ball control, or unmatched court IQ, undersized outsides are carving out their space on the court.   Let's check out five dynamic players that are redefining what it means to excel on the outside, one play at a time.    With 91 kills on the season and a current .216 hitting percentage, [player_tooltip player_id='744709' first='Emma' last='Keuler'] is the archetype of a smaller pin. Not only is Keuler an explosive player at the net, she takes as much pride in her back row skills. Keuler has 105 digs and 160 quality receptions. Keuler works hard in defense and is calm and composed in serve receive, making her a fantastic all-around player capable of contributing to her team's success in more ways than one. Oh, and did I mention she's got 33 aces from the service line?     [player_tooltip player_id='725396' first='Aubree' last='Wyatt'] is one of those players that just has an arm like no other...when she connects with a ball it's like a crack of thunder. Wyatt, who has been playing varsity level volleyball since her freshman year, boasts 203 kills on the season, hitting at an impressive .319%. On top of that, Wyatt confidently owns her role in the back court, with 83 digs on the season and 113 receptions with only 2 receiving errors. When you're an undersized player in this sport, efficiency and productivity is key, and Wyatt blends that like few others.     Watching [player_tooltip player_id='808198' first='Sofia' last='Screaton'] attack the ball, you would be shocked to learn she's only 5'10. Her ability to get her feet to the ball and drop the hammer is truly a spectacle to watch. She also is more than capable of holding her own in the back row, confidently stepping into seams to pass a ball or filling holes in the block to dig up attacks and keep her team alive during rallies. Screaton demonstrates a wonderful combination of finesse and power, an important combination as a smaller pin hitter.     Maybe it's [player_tooltip player_id='412442' first='Brynn' last='Ressler']'s experience as a libero, maybe it's because she's a senior, but one thing is for certain; There are few hitters who are as intentional about there attacks as her. Ressler switches between the lib jersey and OH/DS, but in any role, she will find a way to contribute to her team. As an attacker, her ability to tool the block, cut around it to find open court, or simply put it in a spot to cause disruption is next level hitter IQ. But don't get it twisted, Ressler will go after blockers and defenders alike. Hitting at a .156, paired with 107 digs and 183 quality receptions, Ressler is a must have on the court.     Abbylynn Farrell has one of the heaviest arms in Colorado... just ask any blocker that's been across the net from her. At 5'8, she's already racked up 135 kills and is hitting at .174. Farrell's 'grip it and rip it' style of play makes her a force in the front row, but this past year Farrell has really stepped up her defensive game. From having only 26 digs in the 24-25 season to having a whopping 101 digs, she's proven herself to be a capable defender in the back row. When you're an undersized pin, making plays when you're not at the net are all too important to keep your bigger counterparts in the front row. With 18 aces and 163 quality receptions, Farrell is a fantastic example of what an undersized pin could bring to a team.

In a sport where height often dominates recruiting priorities, the success of undersized outside hitters continues to challenge traditional thinking. Despite standing shorter than their towering counterparts, these athletes are proving that power, precision, and relentless grit can outmatch sheer size. Whether it's through explosive verticals, elite ball control, or unmatched court IQ, undersized outsides are carving out their space on the court.