10 Must Know Outsides From The Lakes Region

Kolby Ross | OH  | 2028

Kolby Ross is a standout 2028 outside hitter/defensive specialist competing for Adversity Volleyball Club and Lincoln-Way East. At 5’9”, Ross brings versatility and a proven track record of success across club and high school volleyball, with a 122-inch approach touch and 117-inch block touch adding to her athletic profile. Ross has earned an impressive collection of honors, including 2025 IVCA Second Team All-State, SWSC Conference Athlete of the Year and SWSC All-Conference recognition. She has also received IVCA All-Academic honors and been named to the All-Academic Team. Her accomplishments extend to national competition, where she became a USAV National Champion, USAV All-American and USAV MVP. Ross has also attended UA NEXT, earned UA Middle School MVP honors and been named MVP at the Milwaukee Winter Classic. Her academic achievements include 2024 Illinois Academic Girls All-State recognition. With her combination of on-court production, national accolades and academic success, Ross has built an impressive résumé as she prepares to continue her volleyball career at the University of Illinois, where she has verbally committed.

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Auden Hummel | OH | 2027

Auden Hummel is a 2027 outside hitter from Munciana Volleyball and Winchester Community High School. Standing at 6’2”, Hummel brings size and offensive production to the pin, establishing herself as a notable contributor at the high school level. Hummel earned Second Team All-State honors in 2024 and has also received All-Conference and All-County recognition. Her offensive impact is reflected in leading her conference in kills, while her selection to multiple All-Tournament teams further highlights her contributions in competitive settings. Hummel is committed to continuing her volleyball career at Indiana State University, where she will have the opportunity to bring her size and attacking experience to the collegiate level. With a strong record of high school recognition and a commitment secured, Hummel is a player to know in the 2027 class.

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Lowe Long | OH | 2028

Lowe Long is a 2028 outside hitter competing for Tri-State Elite and Saint Ursula Academy, bringing a strong combination of athletic ability, leadership and national-level experience to the court. Standing at 6’1”, Long has recorded a 119-inch approach touch and a 118-inch block touch, adding to her profile as a front-row threat. Long has earned recognition across several major platforms, including the 2026 AVCA Phenom Watchlist, the 2026 JVA Girls Watchlist and the 2026 Ohio Valley Watchlist. She was also named an All-American Honorable Mention in 2026 and earned AAU All-American and AAU All-Tournament Team honors. Her club résumé includes two AAU Elite Eight finishes, while her role as team captain and MVP reflects her contributions to her team. Long has also received an invitation to UA NEXT, adding another notable opportunity to her development. With her athletic measurements, national-level recognition and leadership experience, Long is a 2028 prospect to know. She is committed to continuing her volleyball career at Westmont College.

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Hayden Mandsager | OH | 2027

Hayden Mandsager is a 2027 outside hitter from REV Volleyball and Cathedral High School. Standing at 6’1”, Mandsager has gained valuable experience through high-level club competition and recognition for her performance at the high school level. Mandsager earned a spot on the IndyStar Freshman Standout Team and received honorable mention recognition for the IndyStar Super Team. She was also invited to UA NEXT in 2024 and competed at the AAU National Championships, where her team finished fifth in the Open division. Mandsager is committed to continuing her volleyball career at Ball State University. With her experience competing against older athletes, high school recognition and national tournament background, she is a player to know in the 2027 class.

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Luca Bombacino | OH | 2027

Luca Bombacino is a 2027 outside hitter from Michio Volleyball Club and Chesterton High School. At 6’1”, Bombacino combines athleticism with an impressive attacking profile, recording a 123-inch approach touch and a 117-inch block touch. As a senior, she brings years of competitive experience and a strong résumé of individual recognition to her final high school season. Bombacino earned 2025 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention recognition, along with Second Team All-State honors from the Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association and All-Region recognition. She has also earned AVCA All-Region and DAC All-Conference honors, highlighting her impact at both the regional and conference levels. Her experience extends beyond high school competition, including an invitation to the 2025 UA NEXT Camp and attendance at the 2025 and 2026 NIT Winter National Team Development Program sessions. With her athletic ability, national-level exposure and established record of accolades, Bombacino is a standout name in the 2027 class. She is committed to continuing her volleyball career at the University of Michigan.

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Brooklyn Hall | OH | 2027

Brooklyn Hall is a 2027 prospect who has competed for Mintonette Sports and Licking Heights High School. Hall has already built an impressive résumé in club volleyball, highlighted by a 2025 AAU National Championship. Hall has also earned recognition on the JVA Watchlist, adding to her growing profile as a player to follow in the 2027 class. With national championship experience and recognition from the JVA, Hall continues to build her presence in the volleyball community. Hall is committed to continuing her volleyball career at Tiffin University, where she will bring her competitive experience and championship background to the collegiate level.

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Lauren Sheldon | OH | 2028

Lauren Sheldon is a 2028 outside hitter competing for Legacy and Stoney Creek High School. Standing at 6’0”, Sheldon brings an impressive athletic profile to the court, with a 122-inch approach touch and a 121-inch block touch. Her combination of club success, high school production and multi-sport accomplishments makes her a notable prospect in the 2028 class. Sheldon has earned recognition at both the regional and state levels, including 2025 Michigan Division 1 All-State and a spot on the 2025 JVA All-National Team. She was also named her high school varsity MVP in both 2024 and 2025 and earned OAA-Red All-Region honors in both seasons. Her club résumé includes a 2023 USA Volleyball 13-1 Open National Championship, a fifth-place finish at the 2024 USA Volleyball 14-1 Open National Championships, and a 2024 AAU 14-1 Open third-place finish. She was also named a 2024 AAU All-American. Beyond volleyball, Sheldon has excelled in track and field, earning All-County recognition in high jump and setting a school record at 5’6”. Her academic achievements include Team Academic All-State honors in 2024 and 2025, along with OAA and RSC Scholar Athlete recognition. Sheldon is committed to continuing her volleyball career at Michigan State University.

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Jacelyn Zgonc | OH | 2027

Jacelyn Zgonc is a 2027 outside hitter competing for Rock City and Riverside High School. Standing at 6’0”, Zgonc has established herself as a standout in Ohio volleyball through her offensive production, consistent high school recognition and success on the club circuit. Zgonc was named Western Reserve Conference Player of the Year and has earned First Team All-Conference and First Team All-District honors twice each. She has also been selected to the News-Herald All-Star Team twice and named News-Herald Player of the Week twice. After surpassing 500 career kills between her freshman and sophomore seasons, she set a school record as a sophomore. Her other high school honors include MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and district honorable mention recognition as a varsity starter during her freshman season. On the national stage, Zgonc was selected as an AVCA Phenom and invited to the National Team Development Program. She earned All-American honors in the Elite division at nationals, where her team finished fifth in Gold. Her résumé also includes two appearances on the JVA Watchlist for 2027 outside hitters. Ranked among Ohio’s top outside hitters and overall players, Zgonc has built an impressive record of individual and team achievements. She is committed to continuing her volleyball career at Miami University in Ohio.

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Ella Zieske | OH | 2028

Ella Zieske is a 2028 outside hitter competing for Northern Lights and Chanhassen High School. Standing at 5’11”, Zieske has earned recognition for her performance on the court, establishing herself as a player to watch in the 2028 class. Zieske is a two-time AAU All-American and has also earned All-Conference honors at the high school level. Her experience includes attending high-level camps at Michigan State, Alabama, Missouri and other collegiate programs, providing opportunities to develop her game and gain exposure to the college volleyball environment. With national-level recognition and experience competing in high-level training environments, Zieske continues to build her résumé as a 2028 outside hitter to know.

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Ellie Leitch | OH | 2030

Ellie Leitch is a promising 2030 outside hitter competing for VOLT and Fergus Falls High School. At 5’8”, Leitch has recorded a 120-inch approach touch and a 114-inch block touch, showcasing her athletic potential as she continues to develop her game at a young age. Leitch gained valuable national-level experience at the 2026 USA Volleyball Nationals in Indianapolis and has also attended a camp at the University of Minnesota. These opportunities provide a strong foundation for her continued growth and exposure to high-level competition. With several years ahead in her development, Leitch is a young player to keep an eye on in the 2030 class.