B1G Impact Recruits: Outsides

As the top names of the class of 2027 are removed from the board, it's only natural that the Big Ten is reloading itself with a new generation of stars. Top programs from the West Coast to Happy Valley have been pledged to by the top talent in the country, eager to etch their names into their legacy. This new era ushers in a wave of young outside hitters whose games are far beyond their years, and will certainly be in the competition for starting spots the moment they step on campus. Here are my top 2027 outsides in the Big Ten to keep an eye on for future seasons.

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Shaye Witherspoon (Nebraska): A 6-3 outside hitter out of Wildwood, Missouri, Witherspoon has led her Lafayette High School team to two state championships in her two years of high school. In this past season, she averaged a staggering 4.4 kills per set on an even more impressive .379 clip. Being that efficient as an outside is practically unheard of, and is a testament to her consistency and terminality as an attacker. It is a combination of physicality, intelligence, and a whip of an arm swing that makes her so lethal, and she can quite literally kill the ball anywhere on the court. However, she isn’t just an offensive threat, but an all-around powerhouse. With her refined defense, ball control, and heavy serve – Shaye is everything you could want in a six-rotation recruit. She has set her career expectations high – aspiring to start as a freshman, represent the national team, and play professionally – but they are all goals that are more than attainable for her. In lieu of a graduating Harper Murray, Witherspoon certainly has the potential and ceiling to be the next generation's big star. 

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Olivia Henry (Penn State): A 6-4 outside for IMG Academy, Henry has established herself as one of the headline players of this stud 2027 class. With her tall frame, high-flying vertical, and whip of arm, she is dominant at both the left pin and in the back row – an essential and reliable attacker. An AVCA Phenom and regular attendee at NTDP; Olivia is an incredibly athletic and versatile player, in the 95th percentile for reach and jump touch in current Division 1 female volleyball players. She idolizes the lethality of Jess Mruzik’s game, and you can certainly see glimpses of the Final Four MVP in the young attacker. She is a standout addition to Schumacher-Cawley’s three-person class of attackers, and will step in at a time where the team will be in desperate need of a go-to attacker to rely on. Henry’s incredibly high-ceiling bodes well for maintaining the Nittany Lion’s future as a blueblood program, and has all of the potential to go down as “one of the greats.” 

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Mckenna Mcintosh (USC): A 6-1 outside out of Stockton, California, Mcintosh has chosen to stay home and play for the Women of Troy. The MaxPreps Freshman All-American and top-5 outside has accumulated a vast resume of accolades over her early career, including; Sac-Joaquin Offensive Player of the Year, and 15U First Team Club All-American. Despite being somewhat undersized, Mckenna’s explosive vertical and absolute whip of an arm make her just as terminal as a 6-5 attacker. Not only is she valuable with her offensive contributions, but is just as formidable on defense – a true six-rotation star. At Saint Mary’s High School, Mcintosh broke the single match kills record with a staggering 37  – “her instinct, grit, and leadership are beyond her years, and she competes with the heart of a champion.” A long-time trainee for NTDP, Mckenna was recently named an alternate for the 2025 U19 team. Mcintosh is a natural-born leader on and off the court, and she will provide numerous intangibles for a Southern California program seeking its taste of greatness again. 

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Tessa Larkin (Minnesota): A 6-1 pin hitter out of Phoenix, AZ, Larkin has pledged herself to Keegan Cook’s Gophers. Described as a “quiet storm”, Larkin’s game is characterized by clean kills, strong ball control, and an intangible killer instinct. She can rip the sharp angles or hit the dip cross-corner; trusting to her well-honed court vision to make the best choice. The captain of her AZ Storm Elite squad; Larkin has led them to several victories and top finishes; herself earning All-American status along the way, with 4.5 kills per set and 9.4 digs per match. She was a candidate for the PrepVolleyball 2027 Player of the Year Finalists and is ranked as the 8th best player in the nation. Racking up 474 kills, and averaging 4.5 a set – Larkin was named 6A Offensive Player of the Year for Xavier, leading her team to the state championship in the process. Larkins commitment is symbolic of a mutual trust and respect that Cook has been cultivating in his program, and for a Minnesota team that will be losing several key pins in the next few seasons, Tessa is the perfect replacement. 

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Westley Matavao (UCLA): A 6-0 outside hitter out of Santa Ana, California – Matavao is renowned as one of the top prospects in the class, ranked No. 3 overall by PrepDig. The Durango Fall Classic MVP and 2025 Junior National Championship All-Tournament player announced her commitment to UCLA earlier this week, a huge get for Head Coach Alfie Reft. As a sophomore at Mater Dei High School, Westley tallied 276 kills on a .272 clip, 284 digs, 23 blocks, and 25 aces – showcasing her all-around game. She is a standout on her Forza 1 North 16 ONE squad; a go-to, reliable attacker that they can trust to better the ball. While Westley can certainly rip the ball through the seam or hammer it off the block, the greatness of her game comes in the subtlety of it all. Her effortless flow from pass to attack and her innate court awareness are both things uncommon in such young attackers, and makes for an even more promising future. She is a key piece of framework laid on a UCLA program under major construction – and it’ll certainly be with the wait.

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