HOVA Competing Well to Start 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't sleep on athletes or teams from [program_tooltip program_id='530198' first='HOVA' last='(High Outside Volleyball Academy)']. The greater Columbus area has a lot of Ohio's volleyball talent with a handful of clubs that benefit from that depth to be able to field multiple competitive teams. HOVA certainly is one of them as they have won multiple tournaments so far across different teams. Here are five 2027 HOVA prospects to see this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763902' first='Addy' last='Hazelbaker'] </strong>- 5'11 | S/OH<br>Hazelbaker made the switch to HOVA this season as her team is the club's first ever national-level competitor. She has the tools as a setter to contribute in that role with high impact to help her hitters get into good situations to score. At 5'11, she can contact high, which can make her a tough read in her consistency to play the ball from the say position to all locations. She dished over 500 assists for Johnstown-Monroe in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McKenna Ellis</strong> - 5'9 | OH/RS<br>Ellis can be very terminal when in system and on tempo with her setter. She lifts and opens well in the air, which allows her to create some pace while being able to guide the ball through seams and to the edges. Her career best effort of 249 kills in 2025 for Northridge continued her offensive success and impact from the previous season. She averaged 3.2 k/s while upping her effort big time on the defensive side with an 11.2 d/m contribution.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mauri O'Brien</strong> - 5'9 | MB<br>O'Brien has good versatility to her game offensively. At 5'9, she has the ability to score from any location across the net as her action in the middle is where she looks most comfortable. Her athleticism drives her up towards the ball well where she can swing aggressively and with good range. Finding space is trouble for the opposing defense as her force of contact can be heavy. Her 2025 stat line included 2.9 k/s and 9.2 d/m for Sheridan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816168' first='Lyla' last='Thompson'] </strong>- 6'1 | Middle<br>Thompson has a rangy frame with long arms. She's doing some good things for her HOVA team offensively as she swings at the left pin and through middle options, using her touch point to swing high. Her impact is more significant with her club team surrounded by key pieces that can create middle offense. When in rhythm she can put an aggressive contact on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Abigail Sharpe</strong> - 5'4 | Setter<br>One half of the 6-2 setters for HOVA 17, Sharpe has good accuracy to her distribution to both pins and for her middles. She pursues the ball well and when the pass or dig is in system she gets herself into good balanced position to contact. From there, she can dish with balance while often calling her number to dump the ball with her strong left hand or by setting over the net. When effective she forces the defense to have to have to extend their focus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->