Budding Open Players To Watch in May
Andy Cole
In this article:
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Below is a group of athletes in the 2026 class with a good foundation to develop:</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227273' first='Soraya' last='Dennis']</strong>, S, 2026, Mizuno Long Beach – When [player_tooltip player_id='227273' first='Soraya' last='Dennis'] sets the outside hitter in system, she is like a well oiled machine. Before and up to the point of contact, Dennis stays open and often faces her hitters, especially the middles. She is consistent with three deliberate movements by getting set, squaring to a target, and finishing her set.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Audrey Flanagan</strong>, OH, 2026, SCVC – Getting after it is a mentality that Audrey Flanagan shows mostly in her front court defense and on a play that is close to the net. She is great at a play sometimes re-created in practice known as the joust. Pushing lower and second of the two jousting is her patient strategy. Additionally, she hits the seam often when getting set on the outside.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='478279' first='Rylee' last='Heinz']</strong>, MB, 2026, SynergyForce – Anticipating a set location is seemingly easy for [player_tooltip player_id='478279' first='Rylee' last='Heinz'] as it often appears she is at the location before anyone else. Very difficult concept to grasp for anyone watching a match and even moreso for a middle blocker to be the person doing that. What helps her is small adjustments steps throughout the rally to make future movement minimal.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='478925' first='Leyna' last='Nguyen']</strong>, OH, 2026, Vision – [player_tooltip player_id='478925' first='Leyna' last='Nguyen'] is a reliable player and teammate while she performs a skill because she decides to make the play and stays assertive and aggressive with that action. Her ability to be on the move and yet hold her platform on contact is also impressive. This versatile hitter has the confidence of her setter and coach while she is lined up in the middle of serve receive as an outside hitter and then runs a middle hitting route.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Nina Hemsley</strong>, MB, 2026, FORZA1 – Helping her team to a top 5 finish in Salt Lake City this month, Nina Hemsley showed two aspects of a go-to hitter. She makes deliberate steps in her approach and delivers a heavy ball to defenders. With that, she gains attention from opposing blockers that really help her outside hitting teammates and setter.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Aviya Russo</strong>, OH, 2026, Academy – Aviya Russo can be a thorn in the side of opponents with her fast closing wrist snap. The fast movement of her feet is consistent with the high motor she plays with. The court coverage of Russo is incredible not only on defense but also in the placement of hits to the other team's defense. Additionally, she gets all the way to an antenna on a leftside block that will be fun to watch against more dynamic hits going onward.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
Below is a group of athletes in the 2026 class with a good foundation to develop:
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in
