NJIC: Top Outside Hitters Returning

<p>The NJIC is extremely deep with 36 teams and plenty of talent coming back. I’m going to be detailing the top returners at each position. Let’s look at the top outside hitters returning this season. </p> <p>Seniors</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="99837" first="Ashley" last="Kuiken"] (Ridgefield)</p> <p>Kuiken has all the shots and showcased it all of last season finishing with 246 kills and 174 digs for Ridgefield. Her outstanding season has her ranked 32nd in the PrepDig rankings for the class of 2021. She will be battling out to work her way up the list. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="99833" first="Kiara" last="Polanco"] (Bogota)</p> <p>Polanco like Kuiken is on the PrepDig rankings for 2021. She comes in at 28th where her athleticism is her best attribute. She's a lethal outside hitter and last year confirmed it with 264 kills and 44 digs. Watch for her to climb the board. </p> <p>Isabella Brown (Dwight-Englewood)</p> [caption id="attachment_123905" align="alignleft" width="266"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-123905" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/12/nicole-dallara-266x300.jpg" alt="" width="266" height="300" /> Photo: <a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/new-jersey/hasbrouck-heights/hasbrouck-heights-high-school/nicole-dallara" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Next College Student Athlete</a>[/caption] <p>Brown will finally get her chance to be the number 1 option as her partner in crime, Audrey Leak <span style="font-size: 1rem;">graduated. Brown will have the offense run through her so watch for her to have a monster senior season. Last year she was solid with 117 kills and 165 digs. Don't be surprised if she potentially doubles those kill numbers. </span></p> <p>Nicole Dallara (Hasbrouk-Heights)</p> <p>Dallara was one of the bright spots for Hasbrouk Heights last season. Her ability with angles especially on the cross-court is what make her dangerous and with many of last years' starters returning she should be able to have a breakout season. </p> <p>Juniors</p> <p>Kate Rutowski (Park Ridge)</p> <p>Rutowski had a solid sophomore campaign by finishing with 159 kills and 101 digs. Rutowski was solid as the number one option for Park Ridge and with another year under her belt, this year she could be looking for a major junior season.</p> [caption id="attachment_123894" align="alignright" width="239"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-123894" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/12/amelia-kearney-239x300.jpg" alt="" width="239" height="300" /> Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NJSIAA/photos/3401955096523887" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association</a>[/caption] <p>[player_tooltip player_id="99858" first="Amelia" last="Kearney"] (North-Arlington)</p> <p>Kearney was the focal point for North Arlington where they had a down year. She comes in at #11 on PrepDig rankings for the class of 2022. Kearney has the ability to turn North Arlington around all by herself due to her versatility. She should have a breakout season, she finished with 89 kills and 13 digs last season. </p> <p>These ladies are lethal on the court and have all the shots. They have creativity with their shots by being able to go cross-court, down the line, cut shot, tips and more. The outside hitter needs to have all the variety of shots to be able rack up kills. Without the creativity, teams would be able to assume where they are going to go with the ball. Watch for these ladies to be battling it out for first team honors. </p>