Initial 2028 Rankings: Five outsides to watch out for

Teams may not always have sound play from middle blockers. However, they generally at least have a reliable outside hitter. The once that get sound first touches and can set both generally have the most success. However, ones with solid outsides can also have a lot of success, especially if they pound balls to all six zones on the court. These five try to give their teams sound options.    Stanton (pictured) has turned into one of the top outsides in the 12th Region. Stanton makes a lot of things happen on the go routes and with roll shots. Stanton hits light balls to the one zone from that side. She also sends balls hard down the left line and off blockers for big points. Stanton even shoves balls off blockers for points. Stanton can even pull up and send one to the far two zone. Stanton is also a sound passer, blocker and server for Trinity Christian. Stanton had 497 kills, 366 digs, 54 aces, 55 solo blocks and 12 assisted blocks, helping the Titans go 33-7 and finish 12th Region runner-up this past season.     Wood displays good versatility for the Scotties. She makes sound first touches then quickly gets into her attacking stance to make things happen offensively. Wood takes good angles off blockers and can shove balls to the left line. She takes quality out of system swings. Wood also makes things happen with her passing and serving. Wood had 212 kills, 175 digs and 48 aces for Glasgow this past fall.     Whiteside gives Daviess County a great option on the outside. Whiteside pounds balls to the back line and can take things off to send soft ones to the middle. Whiteside also forms good double blocks. Whiteside had 149 kills, 27 solo blocks and 52 assisted blocks, helping Daviess County go 18-12 on the season.     Nicely does a good job hitting around and through double blocks down the line and with crosses for the Commodores. Nicely has good form on her approaches and sends nice shots to the back row. She mixes in roll shots to confuse defenses including some from the back row. Nicely makes sound first touches to jumpstart the Perry County Central offense and sends across nice line drive serves. Nicely had 81 kills, 163 digs and 58 aces, helping the Commodores make it back to the 14th Region Tournament.     Gutterman showed a nice ability to mix up her hits for the Eagles. She can smack balls to the corners then hit hard and soft ones down the right lines. Gutterman also hits balls off blockers and pounds down overpassed balls. Gutterman had 106 kills for Eastern this past fall.    Note from the Writer   Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for nearly two years and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky rankings, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.

Teams may not always have sound play from middle blockers. However, they generally at least have a reliable outside hitter. The once that get sound first touches and can set both generally have the most success. However, ones with solid outsides can also have a lot of success, especially if they pound balls to all six zones on the court. These five try to give their teams sound options.