Block. Transition. Finish.: GHSA Right Sides Built for Pressure

Right-side hitters can be easy to overlook when recruiting conversations become dominated by six-rotation outsides and towering middles.   That is a mistake.   The opposite is responsible for attacking against an opponent's strongest blocking matchups, transitioning repeatedly from the block into offense and helping contain the other team's outside hitter — often its highest-volume attacker.   A productive right side doesn't have to touch every ball to change a match.   These six Georgia athletes offer different versions of what the position can become.    Sydney Jones plays the right side with discipline.   The 5-foot-10 junior has already shown substantial offensive production for Union Grove, appearing among Class 5A's kill leaders while also bringing experience in the middle. Her blocking profile may be even more important to her long-term projection.   Jones does a good job staying balanced instead of guessing early. Previous evaluations have noted her ability to keep a strong base, remain square and adjust late rather than overcommitting. That patience is extremely useful on the right side, where reading an opposing outside hitter's approach and the setter's location can be the difference between forming a strong block and chasing the play. Offensively, she brings physicality without needing to swing recklessly.   Jones has shown the ability to transition efficiently and remain available after blocking responsibilities. Her attacking mechanics give her room to continue expanding into different tempos and locations. But the intangible that stands out is composure.   She doesn't have to dominate every rally to remain influential. She understands her responsibility within the structure of the offense, which is an important distinction for a position that sometimes goes several rotations without receiving a high volume of sets. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     [player_tooltip player_id='552697' first='Ava' last='Slaven'] may be the most unconventional right-side evaluation in this group. Lowndes lists the senior as a right side/defensive specialist, while her Prep Dig profile has emphasized her defensive background. That combination is exactly what makes her interesting.   Right sides are commonly evaluated almost entirely through front-row production. Slaven approaches the game with a defender's mentality. In her own Prep Dig profile, she describes hustle and keeping the ball alive as central parts of how she competes. That mindset can translate directly to the opposite position.   An RS who covers aggressively, pursues deflections and remains engaged after coming off the net gives her team additional possessions. She also understands the game from a ball-control perspective that many front-row specialists don't develop as naturally.   The recruiting question isn't whether Slaven looks like a traditional opposite. It is whether her combination of defensive instincts, competitive effort and front-row experience can create a useful college role. Versatile players often earn opportunities because coaches trust them to solve more than one problem. Slaven's profile gives her exactly that kind of pathway. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     [player_tooltip player_id='943456' first='Sarika' last='Doddi'] has already shown that her game is built around more than the final swing. The 5-foot-7 Wheeler senior plays both outside and right side and competes for [program_tooltip program_id='429883' first='Tsunami' last=''] during club season. That versatility has put her in different attacking and defensive situations, which is valuable for an opposite.   Prep Dig evaluations have previously highlighted Doddi's steady involvement through both offensive and defensive phases, particularly when rallies become less structured. That trait matters more than it sounds.   Right sides spend a significant portion of the match transitioning. They block, land, release, approach, cover and then repeat the sequence. When the first contact isn't perfect, they frequently become the attacker who has to stay available even though the offense has shifted away from its original plan. Doddi's value lies in remaining connected to those rallies.   At 5-foot-7, she also has to win through skill rather than overwhelming length. That puts a premium on timing, arm speed, attacking vision and intelligent use of the block. For recruiters, her film should be evaluated through that lens: not simply whether she can terminate, but whether she can consistently find useful solutions when the clean swing disappears. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     Emmy Carter brings efficiency and positional clarity to North Cobb Christian's pin group. Early region statistics listed Carter at 2.5 kills per set while hitting .243, placing her among the more productive attackers in 3A Region 5. Her RS/OH designation gives recruiters two useful evaluation settings. On the right, the emphasis becomes blocking and transition attacking. On the left, she has to solve a different set of angles and potentially handle different offensive responsibilities.   That crossover experience matters. Carter's biggest recruiting value may come from her ability to understand both pins. Athletes who can switch sides without losing rhythm give coaches flexibility when injuries, matchups or lineup changes force adjustments.   For right-side projection specifically, recruiters should watch the details between contacts. How quickly does she release from the net after blocking? Does she create enough separation to take a full approach? Can she remain available on broken plays? Does she continue communicating when the ball isn't coming her way?   Opposites frequently have to stay mentally involved while touching fewer balls than the outside. Players who remain engaged anyway are the ones who become dependable. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     Anna LaPerriere is proof that right-side value isn't restricted to height. The Collins Hill sophomore is listed at 5-foot-6, yet her profile includes setting, defense, serving and blocking contributions. She has appeared among Georgia's sophomore assist leaders with 130 assists and has also accumulated substantial dig production.   Earlier this season, LaPerriere produced 16 digs, four aces and two solo blocks in a three-set win over Peachtree Ridge. The two solo blocks deserve attention. For an undersized right side, blocking success has to come from reading, timing and disciplined hand positioning. She can't rely solely on reaching higher than the attacker.   Her setting experience creates another advantage. LaPerriere understands offensive spacing from the setter's perspective, which can help her recognize when to remain available, when to clear space and how to adjust to a setter in transition.   The result is a hybrid player whose value comes from solving problems. College coaches may ultimately project her differently depending on system and level, but players who can set, defend, serve and contribute at the pin create lineup flexibility. That adaptability is an intangible worth recruiting. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     [player_tooltip player_id='948645' first='Shiloh' last='Braddick'] already has a physical profile that makes recruiters look twice. At 6-foot-1, the sophomore brings legitimate size to the right side, and her middle-blocking background gives her a natural foundation for one of the position's most demanding responsibilities: stopping outside hitters.   Braddick describes herself as an athlete capable of attacking throughout the court after transitioning from middle to right side during club volleyball. That positional move is significant because it requires a broader offensive toolbox.   A middle can survive largely on speed and efficiency. A right side eventually needs solutions. High hands. Deep corners. Sharp angles. Off-speed. Transition swings. Out-of-system balls. Braddick has the physical foundation to develop those options. Prep Dig evaluation has also highlighted her confidence and willingness to remain aggressive in transition.   For a 2029 prospect, the developmental ceiling is compelling. If she continues improving her pin footwork and shot selection while retaining the blocking instincts developed in the middle, Braddick can become a true two-way opposite rather than simply a tall attacker moved to the right. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga    Follow Prep Dig Georgia for post-match evaluations, rankings coverage and continued reporting throughout the 2026 GHSA season.   Note to GA Athletes:   If you'd like to be considered for future coverage, please send me your high school season schedule and share a little bit about yourself so I can come support you and share your story. Let's keep building Georgia volleyball together! Fill out the "Cover My Game" Link in my bio @benchtobeast-prepdigga on IG.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you enjoyed this article, show your support by following  <a href="https://www.instagram.com/benchtobeast/">  BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</a>  for exclusive Georgia content, behind-the-scenes action, and a closer look at the volleyball community you love.</h3>   We're on a mission to spotlight talent, uplift families, and bring the volleyball community closer than ever! Huge shoutout to our amazing subscribers — you're the heartbeat of this movement. Thank you for your help growing the game, and making every moment unforgettable. The best is yet to come — let's get it!   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.</h4>   Work hard, Play hard. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga

Right-side hitters can be easy to overlook when recruiting conversations become dominated by six-rotation outsides and towering middles.