SD Volleyball: Unstoppable Hitters Defined the Season!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By: Theresa Hickman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From powerful spikes to game-changing blocks, this season has been nothing short of thrilling! The talent on display has kept fans on the edge of their seats, and we're here to shine a spotlight on the standouts. Get ready as we dive into the Top 5 Hitters who have been dominating the court with unmatched skill and intensity. Grab your popcorn—it's time to meet some of the powerhouses!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='725224' first='Katelyn' last='Schroader']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hitchcock-Tulare","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67227dc3126fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First Up: [player_tooltip player_id='725224' first='Katelyn' last='Schroader'] – The Unstoppable force from Hitchcock-Tulare!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'10", [player_tooltip player_id='725224' first='Katelyn' last='Schroader'] has proven to be nothing short of extraordinary. This 2025 Outside/Middle Hitter dominated the court this season with an astonishing 328 kills and an incredible .498 hitting percentage, a testament to her unmatched precision and power. Over her varsity career, she has shattered expectations, surpassing 1,300 kills—an achievement that cements her as one of the top talents in the game. Leading her undefeated team with fierce determination, Katelyn capped off the season with an 18-match streak of five or more kills, showcasing her consistency and clutch performance. More than just the stats, she's a relentless competitor and a true cornerstone of her team's success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='724897' first='Lauryn' last='Kloth'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dell Rapids","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Avera Sports Kairos","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67227dc31278c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Next Up: [player_tooltip player_id='724897' first='Lauryn' last='Kloth'] – The Dominant Senior from Dell Rapids!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Standing tall at 6'1", [player_tooltip player_id='724897' first='Lauryn' last='Kloth'] is nothing short of a powerhouse on the court. Her explosive swing on quick sets is a sight to behold, but it's her signature slide attack that truly sets her apart. With pinpoint timing and unmatched power, Lauren delivers crushing blows that leave defenses scrambling. Even when blockers manage to line up, they rarely stand a chance against her intensity. This season, she's already amassed 176 kills at an impressive .389 hitting percentage, proving she's a dominant force. Lauryn wasn't just playing the game—she's owning it, and she's far from done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='724908' first='Paige' last='Bull']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Burke High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67227dc312807"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Introducing [player_tooltip player_id='724908' first='Paige' last='Bull'] – The 6'1” Senior Captain from Burke High!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='724908' first='Paige' last='Bull'] has been turning heads since the 8th grade, consistently elevating her game to new heights. Now a senior, she's not just playing—she's dominating. With 204 kills and an impressive .388 hitting percentage, Paige is a force to be reckoned with on the court. Her role as a middle hitter is defined by her ability to thrive under pressure, as demonstrated by her remarkable tally of over 80 blocks this season. Paige's leadership and relentless drive set her apart, earning her the well-deserved title of captain. She's the heart of her team and a true powerhouse.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='724893' first='Kyleigh' last='Schopp']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Warner High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67227dc31287f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Spotlight on [player_tooltip player_id='724893' first='Kyleigh' last='Schopp'] – Warner High's 6'0” Middle Hitter Sensation!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='724893' first='Kyleigh' last='Schopp'] is absolutely dominated the court this season, already racking up 364 kills with an impressive .388 hitting percentage—and this was before postseason even begun! With over 1,200 career kills, she's rewriting the playbook for middle hitters. Watch her at the net, and you'll see her tactical brilliance; she's unpredictable, keeping defenders guessing at every turn. Kyleigh is currently on a remarkable 45-game streak (dating back to last season!) of scoring 5 or more kills per match. This girl is a powerhouse and a must-see player, I hope you got to watch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='725225' first='Abby' last='Kjenstad']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Great Plains Lutheran High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67227dc3128f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Up Next: [player_tooltip player_id='725225' first='Abby' last='Kjenstad'] – Watertown's Rising Outside Hitter!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At just 5'8”, junior [player_tooltip player_id='725225' first='Abby' last='Kjenstad'] is proving height isn't everything when you've got skill and power. This season, Abby already stacked up 218 kills with a sharp .377 hitting percentage, adding 29 blocks and 27 aces to her stat line. She's a versatile hitter—whether she's smashing shots to the 10-foot line or dropping bombs in the deep corners, defenders are constantly on their heels. Her ability to mix up her attacks makes her incredibly tough to read. With her potential and relentless drive, Abby is definitely a player you'll be hearing a lot more about. Top prospect alert for South Dakota volleyball!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the South Dakota High School Volleyball season comes to a close, it's clear this year has been one for the books. From incredible milestones to unforgettable plays, the talent on display has been nothing short of inspiring. Teams gave it their all, leaving fans on the edge of their seats with every spike, block, and rally. While the season may have ended, the impact of these athletes will resonate for years to come. Stay tuned as we continue to highlight the players and teams that made this year so special and look ahead to the bright future of volleyball in South Dakota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->