2029 Rankings: Outside Pins Who Can Change a Match

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><strong>More than 150 college coaches shared this article.</strong> <strong>Join PrepDig and get 30% off with code "digdakotas30."</strong></a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram @prepdigdakota.</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside hitter isn't a position where you can hide. By sophomore year, left pins are expected to take out-of-system trash passes, swing against set double blocks, and hold down six rotations without missing a beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2029 features a fresh group of outsides who aren't waiting around to grow into the role. Some are heavy-armed bangers who terminate off the tape; others are tactical shot-makers who excel at tooling hands and wiping the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the 2029 outside pins making real noise on the floor this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["743602"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae0f1375a9e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One thing I've really enjoyed about watching <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='743602' first='Brooklyn' last='Gjevre']</strong> over the past year is seeing just how versatile she can be at the net. I've watched her play on the pin and I've seen her work through the middle, and it doesn't seem to matter where she's placed. She finds ways to contribute. What catches my attention is her footwork and placement. She's not simply trying to overpower every ball; there's thought behind where she's putting it and how she approaches each attacking opportunity. Being able to adjust between positions while still finding ways to score is a big reason Brooklyn belongs in this group. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["920486"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae0f1375aa45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='920486' first='Hayley' last='Anderson']</strong> is one of those outside hitters who doesn't need a perfect set to make something happen. What I've noticed over the past year is how well she handles balls that are pushed off the net. Rather than forcing a swing, Anderson adjusts and finds ways to place the ball where the defense isn't waiting. I really like her ability to work with what she's given and still create a scoring opportunity. Her placement and ability to stay effective when she's pulled away from the net are two reasons she deserves attention. There's more to being a dangerous pin than swinging hard, and Anderson shows that with the decisions she makes on the attack. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["783047"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae0f1375aa8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When I think about what makes a strong outside hitter, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='783047' first='Reese' last='Matter']</strong> is a player I want to take a closer look at. For Reese, the area I'd especially like to highlight is how she approaches attacking opportunities when the defense is ready for her. The best pins don't always have an open court to work with. They have to recognize the block, adjust to the set and find another way to score. That's the kind of attacking mentality that can separate a hitter as she gains experience. Matter belongs in this rankings conversation, and I'm interested in seeing how she continues building her offensive game. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["895353"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae0f1375aad1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='895353' first='Finley' last='Kuntz']</strong> is another name worth following in this 2029 group. One area I want to pay particular attention to is her movement before the attack. There's so much happening before an outside hitter ever contacts the ball, from getting off the net in transition to timing an approach and creating a good attacking position. Those details can make a difference when a rally gets fast or a set doesn't land exactly where it's supposed to. Kuntz gives us another young pin to watch as she works on turning those opportunities into points. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["835236"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae0f1375ab14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There's a competitive side to playing outside hitter that I really enjoy, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835236' first='Macy' last='Hase']</strong> is someone I want to follow with that in mind. Outside hitters are often asked to take important swings, including when the other team knows exactly where the ball is going. It's a position that requires confidence, but also the ability to make good decisions when a full-power attack isn't available. For Hase, I want to see how she handles those situations and how her offensive range grows as she faces tougher competition. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["922254"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae0f1375ab55"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922254' first='Hadley' last='Schumaker']</strong>, I want to give some attention to a part of playing the pin that doesn't always get the recognition it deserves: blocking. Outside hitters have to do more than attack, and their ability to help close the block can change what an opponent is able to do offensively. Reading the play, moving into position and working alongside the middle are all important parts of that responsibility. Schumaker is another athlete in this 2029 group whose front-row game will be interesting to follow as she develops both sides of her position. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["922302"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae0f1375ab95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922302' first='Jenna' last='Syversen']</strong> brings another name into this conversation, and I'd like to focus on the all-around demands of the outside position when evaluating her game. Some of the most valuable pins are the ones who can contribute beyond the front row, whether that's taking serve-receive responsibilities, extending rallies defensively or transitioning from a dig into an attacking opportunity. Those are the areas I want to look at more closely with Syversen because being effective throughout a rotation can give a young hitter more opportunities to influence a match. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["785248"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae0f1375abd4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Haelynn Hoffman</strong> is another name I wanted to make sure was included when talking about the 2029 outside pins. There's a lot that goes into being successful on the outside, especially when you're facing a defense that's already waiting for the ball to come your way. I'm interested in seeing how Hoffman handles those moments, from finding space on the court to making adjustments when the block takes away her first option. She's part of a talented young group, and I'm looking forward to seeing what she brings to the court as she takes on tougher competition. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you to all my readers for making this journey possible. My goal has always been simple: to shine a light on athletes at every level, from Division I to NAIA, and give them a platform to keep chasing their love for the game. 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