Where the Best Play: 6A Outside and Rightside Elites

It's fair to say that one of the most dominant divisions in the state of Utah is the 6A division. And it would be safe to say that some of the most elite athletes come from this division -- and that assumption would not be wrong. This group of outside and rightside hitters dominated their regions and posted some big numbers with even bigger accomplishments this season.   First Team    [player_tooltip player_id='804717' first='Ava' last='Burgess'] from Lone Peak posted 402 kills, hit a .293%, along with 291 digs. She approaches every set with purpose and intention that carries over into every other aspect of her game.   Not only does she have a heavy, explosive arm swing, but she also has a solid range of tools that help her score just the same. Her roll to the campfire, push to the corner, or swipe off the block make her a strong, efficient attacker.     In her last season with the Mustangs, [player_tooltip player_id='832560' first='Halle' last='Bills'] posted 335 kills, hit a .270%, and had 179 digs. She plays controlled and impacts the game wherever she is on the court. She showcases a very high level of maturity and intention when she is in a position to score and remains a stable passer under pressure.     [player_tooltip player_id='892964' first='Brinley' last='Barkdull'] was electric this season. She posted 329 kills, hit a .269% average, and had 293 digs, which speaks to her well-balanced game. Blockers already have trouble lining up on her as a lefty outside, and she makes sure to take advantage of that.    Second Team    In her senior season with the Falcons, [player_tooltip player_id='892944' first='Hadyn' last='Smith'] had 336 kills, hit a .365%, and had 79 blocks. As the weight of their undefeated season continued to grow, Hadyn only got better. She is an efficient, fast, and confident right-side who routinely posted double-digit kills in each match she competed in.     [player_tooltip player_id='827925' first='Taylor' last='Freeland'] ended her sophomore season with 483 kills, hit a .296%, and had 107 digs. Her arm is long which helps her hit above the block and find high hands when she wants. She has a good range of shots in her toolbox that help her score when she's off balance or when the set is not there for her to swing away. But when she gets on top of the ball, there is no stopping her. Taylor is an athlete that is continuously turning heads and will continue to do so for the next few seasons.    Third Team    [player_tooltip player_id='892965' first='Macy' last='Melville'] had 378 kills, hit a .183%, and 254 digs. She is physical at the net and swings with purpose. Her competitive edge, confidence, and skill as an outside elevated her team's confidence and play in every match. Another elements that amplifies Macy's ability as a pin is knowing when she needs to swing away or simply place a ball to score.     Madi Rich for the Knights ended with 240 kills, hit a .283%, and totaled 45 blocks. Her ability to find the block off of tough sets consistently elevates her game. She has a heavy arm that can break through blocks or disrupt a defender's ability to play the ball. Madi has good eye work across the net, which helps her set up as a blocker and create positive touches.     [player_tooltip player_id='894192' first='Maia' last='Schwalger'] totaled 184 kills, hit a .219, and had 71 digs. Her versatility this year for the Mustangs showcased her athleticism and confidence at the net to score from both pins. She is a high-flyer who can score with ease over a block and take some heavy rips at the ball. Her fluidity, athleticism, and talent make her a solid attacker whose ability and skill will only continue to grow.    Honorable Mention    [player_tooltip player_id='894191' first='Sienna' last='Kuresa'] posted 273 kills, hit a .195%, and had 208 digs. She is a strong 6-rotation outside who can pass with ease and score with confidence. She has a multitude of shots that help her stay sharp at the net when she's off balance and swinging out of system. Sienna does a good job of reading defenses and capitalizing on their weaknesses, and putting the ball away when she has a 1-1 opportunity.     [player_tooltip player_id='897135' first='Avery' last='Eriksen'] was a reliable contributor to the success of Syracuse this season. She totaled 269 kills, hit a .192%, and had 282 digs. She has good court awareness in the front and back row which helps Avery make good plays off of great decisions. She is a balanced outside with good defense and sound passing abilities.     From the stats that were reported, Nicalee had 155 kills, hit a .145%, and had 42 digs on the season. To be clear, these stats do not represent the talent and skill she plays with. She is versatile, explosive, and fluid. She gets her feet to the ball and takes quality swings that frustrate defenses. Nicalee puts up a solid block on the right and plays a well-balanced game as an outside.    I did not get the chance to see this athlete in action this high school season, but the magnitude of this award does not deserve to go unrecognized! I look forward to seeing them on the court this club season! Below are the players who were also selected as standouts for their division this season.   Maleah Quinton (2027) - Layton, Honorable Mention, 115 kills, .207%, and 159 digs

It's fair to say that one of the most dominant divisions in the state of Utah is the 6A division. And it would be safe to say that some of the most elite athletes come from this division -- and that assumption would not be wrong. This group of outside and rightside hitters dominated their regions and posted some big numbers with even bigger accomplishments this season.