Rounding Up Rising Right-Side Hitters This Club Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's crazy to think this coming weekend's two-day tournaments will usher in the month of March. This club season is cruising along as we barrel toward the Iowa Regional Qualifier and other big events on the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In covering competition during the first few months of the campaign, I've written about a lot of prospects. Many more were on my list, however.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week, I'm going to play catch up. Here's a group of notable right-side hitters playing at a high level this winter:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["905327"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699e0056a27df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buenzow flashed plenty of potential when I watched her compete at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. In helping Impact 15-1 Elite to a fifth-place finish in the Premier Red Division, the Ankeny freshman was hammering away from opposite pin. Buenzow jumps well with a heavy swing generating advanced velocity for her age. Long arms also aid in forming an attack and contributes to success on the block, where sharp timing also is present. Buenzow's skills and traits keep open the door with her versatility to line up at other positions up front. That could be a path to playing time for a Hawk varsity that will return a lot of talent in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946906"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699e026441294"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mitton has stood out to me when scouting her Select teams during the last few club seasons. I've worked two events her 15 Mizuno competed in so far this season. The Port Byron (IL) Riverdale High freshman has taken her game to another level from when I watched her a year ago. Mitton performed well during an in-person viewing at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. It was effective play from the right side, where she's a two-way player capable of putting the ball down with a powerful attack or in throwing up a block. Mitton has built on a ninth-grade prep campaign that saw her average 2.1 kills a set in 89 played. She added 38.9 blocks and 65 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946816"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699e0aa796626"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've watched Dysktra in action during the last few club campaigns and with Bettendorf this past prep season. She's stood out for her versatility, filling in wherever her team needs her. That was the case again at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. Dykstra was hitting at the opposite pin for a Select 17 Mizuno squad that finished fifth out of 32 teams in the open division. It highlighted her athleticism that plays at other positions. That allowed her to help the Bulldogs in the back row this past fall, leading to 78 digs in 54 sets. Dysktra added 20 kills and 7.0 blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555717"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699e0dc06bd65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cory was operating through six rotations as a right-side hitter during my most recent scouting opportunity, which came at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. It highlighted a well-rounded volleyball skill set flashed during the previous in-person viewing at the Prep Dig Sizzle in August. Cory piled up 464 assists, 228 kills (.203), 283 digs and 57.0 blocks in an all-conference campaign for Kennedy in 2025. She's an exciting prospect because of already being able to impact matches while having plenty of potential for more. Cory improved noticeably from August to February. Her trajectory should have college coaches interested. She'll add flexibility with limited roster sizes on the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493605"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699e105414533"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Erickson has impressed during in-person scouting opportunities the last few club seasons. The most recent occasion occurred at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. She was shining at the opposite pin for Impact 17-1 Elite. Erickson makes up for a lack of height and length in the front row with explosion off of the court, leaping ability and hang time. Technically sound, she generates power in her swing and sees the court well, avoiding the block and locating holes in the defense. Keen timing leads to Erickson being effective in throwing up the block. Class 5A state runner-up Ankeny Centennial will be replacing key contributors lost to graduation, and Erickson has the look of someone who could help the Jaguars in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946971"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699e137df3125"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hogan caught my attention when scouting her Impact 16-1 Elite outfit at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic. She was playing on the right side but operating through six rotations. Hogan showed she can put the ball down from either pin and held up well in the back row. She's a good athlete with a well-rounded skill set, which apparently includes setting, which I did not witness. Hogan spent this past prep season developing on the sophomore team in a program that reached the Class 5A state semifinals. The Hawks will be looking to replace pieces lost to graduation, and Hogan's aforementioned positional flexibility gives her a chance to seize the opportunity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->