2025 National Rankings Highlights: Most Intimidating Outsides

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are the players that assert their dominance before the match even starts. You watch in awe as they flatten warm-up balls in hitting lines. You wonder how anyone will defend an attacker like that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a feature dedicated to some of the most intimidating left-side hitters in the 2025 class. This group features a wealth of talented athletes who can absolutely rip the cover off of the ball, and we're here to give them a little recognition. Keep dominating.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181296"],"_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_0_evaluation":"The undisputed #1 in our rankings. Was there any doubt?rnrnTeams that face Spears have to deal with those u0022roll the ball under the netu0022 moments: when a team does everything right but still get burned by an incredible individual play. We saw that game-changing power from Spears when she competed with Metro, and now she's brought her extraordinary arm to TAV in the Lone Star State. Our top-ranked player in the 2025 class put on a show when I visited the Show Me Qualifier. It was then that I fully realized Spears was on another level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648800823a5a1"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1642577762656346118?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1642577762656346118?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1643006079746609152?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1643006079746609152?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["203428"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Vander Wal has elevated her game to astonishing new heights this year. Sure, we knew she was an elite attacker when she helped 1st Alliance win a 15U title at 2022's Triple Crown NIT. But 2023 has offered a revamped version of Vander Wal who has firmly established herself among the nation's best. She's incredibly coordinated for someone of her height and brings an unmatched repertoire of backcourt attacks. 1st Alliance 16 Gold will be a GJNC frontrunner with Vander Wal leading the charge.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648800823a643"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1639700354219626497?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1639700354219626497?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["180469"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Davis is in her second consecutive year of 16s competition, and she has now been a dominant force with two different teams around her. My favorite aspect of Davis's game might not even be her over-the-top terminations on the left side. Rather, I've been impressed with this outside hitter's clear drive to become a better floor defender and a vocal leader in the back row. Drive Nation 16-Red feeds off that steady presence, elevating Davis to a high placement on our 2025 rankings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648800823a6a9"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1627382271031353344?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1627382271031353344?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["397444"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Few 2025s slug the ball quite like Harvey. She produces hits that sound different, look different, and reach angles that no defender can reach. When I had the chance to do a full match of coverage with A5 at Triple Crown, Harvey quickly stole the show and the headlines. It's just another testament to the growing pipeline of incredible attackers in the A5 gym and the Atlanta area.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648800823a6fb"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1627378645047058432?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1627378645047058432?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["117880"],"_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_0_evaluation":"I run into Northern Lights at a lot of qualifiers here in the Midwest. That means I'm lucky enough to watch the development of rising stars like Bettis from one season to another. This high-flying pin hitter lifted Northern Lights back into championship form at the Show Me Qualifier, and that's just one chapter in a long narrative of highlight moments. Best of all, Bettis has displayed some all-around skills that bode well for her future at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648800823a74c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["152943"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Bell fits the mold that we're used to seeing from Circle City left-side hitters. In other words, she can do it all. When she's not tearing it up in the frontcourt with high, heavy swings, Bell can play brilliant defense through her blocking and ball control. That kind of six-rotation impact remains a staple of Circle City success.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648800823a796"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1512785285624606720?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1512785285624606720?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["156287"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Busignani has made a name for herself in just about every venue imaginable. Her work with MI Elite has put her club team in the national spotlight at the Open level. That same squad has made several appearances on our Prep Dig Circuit, where Busignani has repeatedly dominated with her lightning-fast swing. This is an outside hitter that may have been considered an under-the-radar gem at one point, but she's on a lot of recruiting radars now.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648800823a7f0"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1619438738622537730?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1619438738622537730?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["179898"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Perhaps you've heard the u0022jumping out of the gymu0022 superlative commonly used in volleyball. Warren fits this description perfectly. She may not have the length of some of the other players on this feature, but Warren makes up for that with some serious athleticism on the left side. Her weekend at Triple Crown NIT stands out, yielding a runner-up finish for Houston Skyline at that stacked event. Then, we had the bid-clinching outing in Chicago's Windy City Qualifier. You can look forward to Warren making a repeat trip to the Windy City when GJNC kicks off later this month.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648800823a849"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1627705257836044289?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1627705257836044289?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["215406"],"_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_0_evaluation":"It's hard to overstate Hayes's impact in the Six Pack gym. Simply put, she's helped put Iowa prep stars in the national conversation. Hayes has a wicked arm swing that is paired with her impressive quickness off the floor. We've watched Six Pack generate some impressive results against the Midwest's best Open teams, and Hayes will always have a big say in that success.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648800823a8bc"} /-->