FINALLY: Cardinal Inks Dynamic Pins

Hold on, 2028s not quite everyone has committed quite yet!  We predicted the Stanford Cardinal would rival or surpass Louisville for the best class in the ACC.

Well, the hunting started Friday, and the Cardinals start to track down Louisville right now.  The worst secrets in the Class of 2027 can come out now:) The Cardinal landed their pin combo for the future in two dynamic pins from Western US.

First, Tessa Larkin, Arizona - Decommitted from Minnesota.  I'm not sure the exact date of decommittal, but I think the decision was brewing long before the call was made.  Tessa was/is one of my top 3 favorite prospects in this class, and I'm happy to say we stayed on her bandwagon well before most hopped on the final season.  I simply never saw her have a down match (club or high school).  She played on a club team with more dynamic and bigger personalities, but Larkin outperformed all of them, and it didn't even come close if you look at the team for the final two seasons.  She gets stronger, and her IQ has always been extremely high.  It's a bad break for Minnesota, but Larkin was never meant for that culture. She will fit in at Stanford, and I actually like the fire she brings to a squad that has been a bit docile.

Second, Ava Burgess, Utah - Club V, played up two age levels, so she was often hidden from her age group.  She played on a squad that forced her to grow up and play physically, and older than she is.  She is explosive and pops off the ground.  She will bring the vertical game that Stanford will need for a legit scoring threat at the pin for the next few years.  Like Larkin, Burgess plays with an edge and competes, again a trait that is desperately needed in a Cardinal culture seeking that killer instinct to close big-time matches.

Together, the Card staff brought in the best OH duo in the Class and, in one day, moved themselves up from no class to the 7th class in our rankings.  More to come?  We think so!