She’s doing it for the small-town crew. Hinton had one of the best freshman campaigns of any Nebraska athlete in the Class of 2029. Her 350 kills on a 0.250 clip paved the way for Adams Central to reclaim its rightful place in the state tournament field. But this high-flying pin hitter wanted a little more postseason volleyball. She helped her South Central NE 15 Black clinch a GJNC berth through the Great Plains Region, putting a group of rural gems on the national club stage. Hinton’s six-rotation skills flourished in the South Central NE gym, so she was fully primed for an all-around onslaught at our showcase.

Here’s another chance to check in with a trend-setting 2029 on Nebraska’s rural circuit. Hinton immediately climbed the leaderboard among first-year scorers last fall, producing 3.5 kills per set for the tournament-bound Patriots. Adams Central got the most out of its freshman star, and South Central NE 15 Black accomplished the same in the spring campaign. Hinton returned to her terminal ways with South Central NE while layering in some incredible first touches as a primary passer. Her all-around influence peaked as 15 Black raced to a 5-0 start at USAV Nationals. Expect a little more postseason volleyball from Hinton before her prep career is over.

We surely couldn’t pass up another chance to address Hinton’s blazing start to her prep career. It launched last fall with Adams Central High School, where Hinton’s 350 kills helped lift the Patriots back to their rightful place in the state tournament. Such a debut deserves a worthy encore, and that’s a good way to describe Hinton’s tenure with South Central NE. Her 15 Black group made major strides on the qualifier stage, culminating in a GJNC berth at the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. Hinton’s individual gains go beyond her ability to score. Her progress as a six-rotation asset and all-around leader has elevated Nebraska’s next wave of small-town stars.

Bring on the next wave of South Central stars. Last year’s South Central NE 15 Black squad set a high bar, but 2026’s group has the talent to keep the good times rolling. Hinton will be a go-to scorer for 15 Black after putting up 3.5 kills per set with Adams Central last fall. This was one of Nebraska’s most prolific freshman outside hitters on the 2025 prep stage, so we have sky-high expectations for Hinton on the club side.

Like O’Connell and Green, Hinton wrapped up her freshman season under the bright lights of Pinnacle Bank Arena. This versatile outside hitter was at her best toward the end of 2025, particularly during a 22-kill performance in Adams Central’s district final upset over Minden. Hinton exhibits tremendous court vision on the left side and deceives opposing defenders with her range. Adams Central’s postseason return would not have been possible without Hinton’s 350-kill onslaught in Year 1 with the program.