Reagan Cooper jumps and prepares to attack at the net during the 2025 AU Pro Volleyball Championship.

Power Rankings: Top 10 Outside Hitters from the 2025 AU Pro Volleyball Championship

Siera Jones

Nov 28, 2025

Outside hitters proved to be some of the greatest difference makers throughout the 2025 Athletes Unlimited Pro Volleyball Championship, filling crucial roles on both offense and defense and dominating the final leaderboard standings. Six of the top 10 finishers on the season leaderboard were outside hitters, and 10 of the top 20 spots belonged to players in the position. From explosive offensive outputs to lockdown serve receive and back-row defense, the versatility of the outside hitters on display in Madison and Omaha was on full display this fall.

The position also featured depth across experience levels, with rookies making immediate impacts alongside seasoned veterans extending their AU legacies. Here’s a look at the top 10 outside hitters from the fall, ranked by their final leaderboard positions.

1. Reagan Cooper – 2nd Place (3,015 points)

Reagan Cooper made sure that she did not go unnoticed in her debut AU season. She spent Week One getting her bearings before unleashing a Week Two performance that vaulted her into a captain’s position for the final two weeks of competition. From that point on, she posted nine straight performances with double-digit kills.

Her 3,015 leaderboard points secured the silver medal with a 9-3 match record. She collected seven Match MVP awards, putting her in exclusive company alongside Jordan Thompson and Dani Drews as the only athletes to earn five or more MVP honors all season. Her best offensive showing came against Team Drews in Week Four with 22 kills, making her just the 10th player in AU history to reach the 20-kill threshold. Her 4.36 kills per set average trailed only Thompson for the competition’s top mark.

2. Natália Zilio Pereira – 3rd Place (2,706 points)

Natália Zilio Pereira wasted no time announcing her arrival in AU with an 11-kill debut performance. The Brazilian national team legend came within striking distance of the top four during Week Two after tallying 19 kills versus Team Valentin-Anderson, then sealed her podium position with a championship-caliber Week Four performance that included an MVP 1 showing in Team Drews’ upset victory over Jordan Thompson’s squad.

Her final match featured another complete performance with nine kills, nine digs, three blocks, and two aces, earning her MVP 2 recognition and locking down her third-place finish. Pereira’s debut campaign totaled 118 kills, 110 digs, and five MVP awards across 12 matches, establishing her as one of the competition’s most impactful two-way players.

Dominant cross from Natalia Zilio Pereira

Nasty stuff from the Brazilian Olympian pic.twitter.com/oyouUxGHUH

— AU Pro Volleyball (@AUProVolleyball) October 26, 2025

3. Dani Drews – 4th Place (2,493 points)

Reliability defined Dani Drews’ path to her second career AU podium finish. The veteran outside hitter delivered double-digit kill performances in 11 of 12 matches, trailing only champion Jordan Thompson in that category. Her steady production carried her into the top four just in time for Week Four, positioning her to captain during Champions Week, where she guided her team to a 2-1 record.

Drews accumulated 155 kills and 105 digs while claiming five Match MVP awards, which was tied for third-most in the championship. Her 4.19 kills per set placed her third in the league, and she set her offensive high early with a 20-kill outing for Team De La Cruz-Mejía in Week One.

4. Madi Kingdon Rishel – 5th Place (2,446 points)

Few players proved as clutch in rally-ending situations as Madi Kingdon Rishel. The outside hitter racked up 147 kills with eight double-digit performances, including six consecutive matches where she reached double figures. While playing for Team Valentin-Anderson in Week Two, she posted her season-best output with 21 kills.

Kingdon Rishel proved herself to be a versatile player as she moved from team to team over the four-week competition. She began as a Week One captain, transitioned to a featured hitter for Natalia Valentin-Anderson in Week Two, then spent the final two weeks in gold alongside champion Jordan Thompson. Her 3.97 kills per set ranked fourth among all players, and she collected four Match MVP honors, including one MVP 1 nod.

5. Claire Hoffman – 7th Place (2,386 points)

Claire Hoffman broke into the top four in Week One, earning the captain’s role for Week Two as the only outside hitter to lead a team that week. Her squad closed Week Two with a win after defeating Team Hentz 76-60, showcasing her ability to lead from the outside position.

Hoffman finished the season with 95 kills, eight aces, and 91 digs (2.53 per set). She posted four double-figure kill performances with a season-high 13 kills versus Team De La Cruz-Mejía in Week One. Her 2.64 kills per set and well-rounded contributions on offense and defense solidified her spot among the championship’s elite outside hitters.

BIC em Claire 🙌 pic.twitter.com/eH8Xd8w8sv

— AU Pro Volleyball (@AUProVolleyball) November 3, 2025

6. Brooke Nuneviller – 11th Place (2,163 points)

Brooke Nuneviller proved consistent in both the front row and back row throughout the fall. The former libero also showcased her defensive chops, making her a valuable two-way threat for every team she played for.

Nuneviller recorded 84 kills (2.33 per set), six aces, and 93 digs. She earned one MVP 1 distinction and won MVP 3 honors twice. Her versatility and reliability made her a key contributor throughout the championship.

7. Alexa Gray – 17th Place (1,889 points)

Alexa Gray showed her ability to take over a match even when coming off the bench. She earned two Match MVP 1 honors and posted three double-figure kill outings, including an explosive 18-kill performance in the final match of the season for Team Hentz.

Gray finished with 77 kills (2.85 per set), 53 digs (1.96 per set), and six blocks. Her impact, even when working with limited playing time, stood out throughout the championship.

what. a. rally. 🔥#AUProVB pic.twitter.com/BgY35rICWd

— AU Pro Volleyball (@AUProVolleyball) October 12, 2025

8. Sarah Parsons – 18th Place (1,750 points)

Sarah Parsons proved herself as a reliable option in the front row, back row, or both in her first AU season. She recorded 42 kills with a season-high eight in a single match (1.14 kills per set) while adding five aces and 85 digs to her stat line.

Parsons also excelled in serve receive with a 0.45 positive reception rate, establishing herself as a dependable all-around player.

9. Betty De La Cruz-Mejía – 19th Place (1,743 points)

AU legend Betty De La Cruz-Mejía closed out her final season by maintaining the elite production that defined her five-year career. She tallied 123 kills with a 3.42-per-set average while reaching double figures eight times in 12 matches. Her top performance came early with 18 kills against Team Abercrombie in Week One, and she maintained a .260 hitting efficiency throughout the fall.

More significantly, De La Cruz-Mejía’s final campaign added to her AU legacy. She became the first player to eclipse 800 career kills, 900 career kills, 7,000 career win points, and 200 career sets played, while also reaching 40 career match victories.

10. Claire Chaussee – 28th Place (1,497 points)

Claire Chaussee carved out a specialized role for herself as a defensive substitute for second-place finisher Reagan Cooper, coming in to play three back-row rotations for the rookie standout. Throughout the fall, she proved that impact doesn’t require front-row opportunities.

Chaussee recorded 41 digs (1.37 per set) and became a valuable addition to serve receive with only six reception errors out of 110 attempts. Her ability to provide stability in the back row made her a valuable draft pick throughout the championship.