Coaches Guide: 5 Top Outside Pins For Your 2029 Short List

<!-- 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>When college coaches start building out early recruiting watchlists, raw height only gets a hitter so far. What actually translates at the next level is terminal power and the ability to hit through double blocks, terminate out-of-system balls, and score when everyone in the gym knows where the pass is going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In North Dakota's sophomore class, a handful of 2029 attackers are already bringing real heat to the pins and middle. These aren't just finesse players looking for soft spots in the defense; they are high-velocity swings capable of changing a match's momentum with one stroke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're a college coach looking for terminal arm talent or tracking the state's top offensive weapons for your recruiting needs, here are five heavy-armed hitters who belong on your short list right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832737"],"_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-6adb6eb289417"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='832737' first='Hilary' last='Haaven'] | Outside Hitter | #1 Outside Pin / #1 Overall Player in ND</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='832737' first='Hilary' last='Haaven'] takes our #1 spot in the Class of 2029, and it's easy to see why when you watch her attack. She gets up, swings hard, and puts serious pace behind the ball. What really catches my attention is what she can do when the play doesn't go as planned. Even when her setter is pulled off the net and she's working with a high ball, Hilary isn't backing down. She attacks it with confidence and can put it away against a tough block. She's not just a strong hitter for her age, either. Her ability to contribute through all six rotations is another reason I have her at the top of this class. Did we mention she already has 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills on her resume!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>The Verdict:</strong> Haaven has earned that #1 ranking with her attacking ability, confidence, and all-around game. Her arm speed sets her apart from other players in this class, and she'll be exciting to watch as she continues to develop. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["882486"],"_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-6adb6eb28944c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='882486' first='Julia' last='Hulstein'] | Outside Hitter | #2 Outside Pin / #3 Overall Player in ND</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='882486' first='Julia' last='Hulstein'] is our #2 outside hitter and #3 overall player in the Class of 2029, and she can put up big offensive numbers. She has a strong vertical, brings power to her swing, and isn't afraid to take a big shot when her team needs it. I really like how she can attack different areas of the court. She'll go after the line, but she can also come back across her body and create openings in the defense. What impresses me about Julia is how much her team can rely on her offensively. She gets plenty of opportunities to swing, and she keeps finding ways to score even when the defense knows the ball is coming her way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Scout Note:</strong> Hulstein brings power, athleticism, and the ability to carry a big offensive role. She's a hitter who can take over stretches of a match, and I like the confidence she brings every time she goes up to attack. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["784991"],"_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-6adb6eb28946e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='784991' first='Claire' last='Iverson'] | Outside Hitter | #3 Outside Pin in ND</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='784991' first='Claire' last='Iverson'] comes in at #3, and I think she deserves a lot of attention. The Jamestown standout brings some serious power to the net, and when she gets a good ball, she can really put it away. She gets up quick, swings hard, and isn't afraid to challenge a double block. But what makes Claire even more interesting to me is what she's doing defensively. She recorded 25 blocks early in WDA play, and that number caught my attention. She's not just helping Jamestown put points on the board with her attacking; she's also making things difficult for opposing hitters. I love seeing an outside who can make that kind of impact on both sides of the net, and I think Claire has a lot to offer as she continues developing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Recruiting Take:</strong> Iverson brings a powerful swing and a strong presence at the net. With her blocking production and ability to challenge bigger defenses, she's one of the Class of 2029 pins I'd be keeping a close eye on. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["886539"],"_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-6adb6eb28948d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='886539' first='Sophia' last='Satrom'] | Outside Hitter | #4 Outside Pin in ND</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='886539' first='Sophia' last='Satrom'] comes in at #4, and I really like the way she attacks the ball. She's quick off the floor, has a fast arm swing, and can put some serious power behind her shots. But what makes Sophia fun to watch is that she doesn't just swing as hard as she can and hope for the best. She's smart about how she attacks, especially when she's facing a double block. She knows when to go after the ball and when to use the blockers' hands to her advantage. I like that she can make those adjustments instead of forcing the same shot every time. That's a big part of what makes her such a dangerous hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Why she belongs on your board:</strong> Satrom has the power to put balls away, but it's her ability to read the block and find different ways to score that makes her stand out among the 2029 outside hitters. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["725514"],"_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-6adb6eb2894aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='725514' first='Vanessa' last='Borr'] | Outside Hitter | #5 Outside Pin in ND</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Completing our Top 5 is [player_tooltip player_id='725514' first='Vanessa' last='Borr'] from Shanley, and she has performed well against tough EDC competition. With 73 kills and an average of 2.15 per set, she's already showing what she can bring offensively. One thing I like about Vanessa is that she isn't afraid to take a big swing, even when the set isn't perfect. She goes after the ball instead of playing it safe, and I love seeing that confidence in a young hitter. She's also starting to mix up her shots, especially her cross-court attack, instead of relying on power alone. Playing against strong EDC teams will only help her grow, and I think we haven't seen much more from her yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Bottom Line:</strong> Borr isn't afraid of tough competition or bigger blocks. She's gaining valuable experience, developing more options offensively, and has the potential to become an even bigger threat as she continues to grow. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you, 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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