Tessa is the top of the food chain when it comes to 2027 outside hitters. She is a dominate player who is ranked nationally on top of being the number 1 player in AZ for 2027. For starters, offensively she shows a fluid three-step approach and creates excellent separation on her jump, allowing for a high and consistent contact point. Tessa generates easy pace on the ball without over-swinging and has a natural feel for shot selection which can include going sharp cross, deep seam, or tooling the outside hand.

In serve receive, she is dependable and technically sound to a point where she could probably be a libero if needed. She maintains a quiet platform and reads servers well/early, allowing her to take a large portion of the court when needed. Her ability to pass accurately while still being an offensive threat makes her a true six-rotation option at the next level.

She has firmly established herself as the top outside hitters in Arizona’s 2027 class, with a game that translates to the national level. Her ceiling projects as a high-impact Power 5 contributor who can take over matches on the pin.

After being named MVP at the Kansas City camp, Tessa Larkin Tessa Larkin 6'1" | OH Xavier College Prep | 2027 State #8 Nation AZ officially punched her ticket to the All-America Game in Orlando.

Arizona Storm out of the Phoenix Metro just knows how to develop high level players who can succeed in the USA gym as well as the collegiate level.  Tessa Larksin falls next in line of Storm greats as a six rotation outside hitter.  I recently saw her play a couple weeks ago at the Northern Lights Qualifier in Minneapolis where the Arizona Storm 17 Thunder team took home the title, earning a 17 Open bid.  Larkin makes the game look effortless.  She knows how to hit the right angles and can change speeds where the defense is always guessing with her.  There is a maturity to her game that will translate extremely well at the next level. 

Tessa is most excited about the chance to reunite with friends from out of state and compete alongside them in a high-level environment. She thrives when surrounded by strong competition and believes being around top players allows her to flourish in the sport she loves. For Tessa, the invitation represents validation that the work she has put in on and off the court is paying off, and an opportunity to test herself against some of the best athletes in the country. When asked who she would invite to camp, she could not choose just one. Instead, she pointed to her entire club team, a group she deeply values and believes all deserve this moment. Arizona Storm 17 Thunder includes Nylah Bibby Nylah Bibby OH/DS/L Saguaro | 2027 State AZ committed to the University of Arizona, Fara Bronson Fara Bronson 5'10" | S Casteel | 2027 State #126 Nation AZ committed to University of Alabama, Adelyn Chang Adelyn Chang 5'8" | S Corona del Sol | 2027 State AZ committed to Temple University, Lila Ellsworth Lila Ellsworth 5'11" | OH/RS Highland | 2027 State AZ committed to Utah State University, Hayes Haan Hayes Haan 6'1" | OH Sunnyslope | 2027 State AZ committed to Saint Mary’s College of California, Kaitlin James Kaitlin James 6'2" | MB/RS Perry | 2027 State AZ , Pulelehua Laikona Pulelehua Laikona DS/L Mesa | 2027 State #97 Nation AZ committed to University of Nebraska, Kenzie Maldonado Kenzie Maldonado 5'11" | RS/OH Desert Vista | 2027 State AZ committed to Seton Hall University, Emerson Ortiz Emerson Ortiz 6'1" | S Desert Vista | 2027 State #83 Nation AZ committed to California Baptist University, Jula Utash committed to Boise State University, Sadie Wahlin Sadie Wahlin 6'2" | MB/OH Ohio Valley Christian | 2027 AZ committed to Pepperdine University, Brenna Walsh committed to California State University, Fresno, and Mikaela Lee-Tsosie Mikaela Lee-Tsosie 6'2" | MB Corona del Sol | 2028 State AZ . It is a group she sees putting in the work every day, a group she believes will be successful, and a group that will always hold a special place in her heart.

“It means a lot to be recognized and be able to be in the gym with other girls who are so talented and to compete with them.” Tessa Larkin Tessa Larkin 6'1" | OH Xavier College Prep | 2027 State #8 Nation AZ

Smoot operator.  Arizona Storm 17 Thunder make the trip from the desert to the snow and blazed their way through a rugged 17 Open field.  Tessa Larkin is a marquee name for this group and she delivered all weekend.  What I enjoyed about her game was how efficient her movement was from being a defender to transitioning to an attacker.  She also has a high IQ of when to swing big, when to use the block, the offspeed, she makes the opposition second guess how to defend her on each swing.  She is making something extremely hard look effortless which is the result of detailed and disciplined training at Arizona Storm, always one of the top clubs in the country.