Court Commanders at NCR Region Team Dev. Program

This is the second installment in my coverage of the NCR RTDP (North Country Region – Region Team Development Program), a brand-new initiative that invited 50 of the top volleyball players from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. These athletes were handpicked to experience high-level training designed around the USA Volleyball system—focused, detailed, and demanding.   Over the course of 28 hours, players were pushed through a combination of high-intensity drills, competitive match play, and classroom sessions on volleyball IQ and game strategy. The pace was relentless. The expectation? Execute under pressure, think fast, and play faster.   While I already highlighted the elite front-row talent in my previous article, today's focus is on the true commanders of the court—the setters. Without them, even the most powerful attack falls flat. These athletes were the ones orchestrating every play, managing tempo, and turning chaos into rhythm. And they did it at a level that absolutely stood out.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Standard-Setter: [player_tooltip player_id='748825' first='Mackenzie' last='Dufner']</h3>   D1 commit [player_tooltip player_id='748825' first='Mackenzie' last='Dufner'] didn't just participate—she led. A setter with exceptional hand control and next-level court vision, Dufner consistently delivered tempo-perfect balls, adapted to every hitter's rhythm, and made the job easier for her attackers. But what made her performance even more impressive was her leadership off the ball.   She mentored younger players throughout the weekend, modeling how to run an offense with confidence and poise. Her presence on the court was undeniable—commanding huddles, communicating efficiently, and leading by example. She set the standard for what a high-level setter should look like in a developmental environment.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Vision, Feel, and Flow</h3>   Beyond Dufner, several other setters emerged as court commanders in their own right. These athletes showed they understood more than just the mechanics of setting. They showed touch, timing, and tactical awareness.   They recognized split blocks, made quick reads on opposing defenses, and made smart choices in transition. Running a 5-1 or a 6-2 didn't matter—they adapted. Their hands were quiet, their footwork sharp, and their decision-making mature beyond their years.   🔥 [player_tooltip player_id='578407' first='Lila' last='Johnson']– Setter (Class of 2027)   [player_tooltip player_id='578407' first='Lila' last='Johnson'] was one of the top setters at the event—and a personal favorite to watch. A true floor commander, she ran the offense with confidence, speed, and a high-level volleyball IQ. Her quick backsets and smooth tempo allowed her hitters to stay in rhythm, no matter the situation.   She showed she could run every route in the playbook and connected with her attackers with ease. Add in her left-handed attack, and Lila becomes a dual threat—smart enough to read blockers and fearless enough to swing when the defense isn't ready.   [player_tooltip player_id='578407' first='Lila' last='Johnson'] is the full package at setter: composed, creative, and competitive.   🔥 [player_tooltip player_id='733255' first='Brynlie' last='Richman']– Setter (Class of 2028)   [player_tooltip player_id='733255' first='Brynlie' last='Richman'] is a young setter with the mindset and motor of a veteran. She's a total workhorse on the court—always engaged, constantly communicating, and eager to elevate her game. What stood out most was her coachability; every rep she took, she applied feedback and executed it in real time.   Brynlie's hand positioning was consistent, and she delivered clean, high-release sets that allowed hitters to stay in system. She showed early mastery of tempo—whether it was a quick set to the middle, a shoot to the pin, or reversing flow with a smooth backset. Her footwork was fast and efficient, getting square on tight passes and delivering hittable balls under pressure.   As a 2028, her ability to front the ball, stay neutral, and disguise her set direction already puts her ahead of the curve. She's not just a player with potential—she's a setter who's building a foundation for long-term success.   🔥 [player_tooltip player_id='752847' first='Brooke' last='Larsen']– Setter (Class of 2028)   [player_tooltip player_id='752847' first='Brooke' last='Larsen'] is a setter who brings real versatility and composure to the court. Whether running a fast-paced offense or adjusting in out-of-system situations, she stayed in control and kept her team in rhythm. Brooke showed she could set from anywhere on the floor—whether off the net, on the move, or in transition—and still deliver a clean, hittable ball.   She was comfortable mixing tempos: pushing quicks to the middle, throwing tight balls to the pins, or holding the blockers with a well-timed dump. Brooke's court awareness and ability to read blockers made her unpredictable and hard to defend.   Add in her smooth footwork, consistent platform when taking second balls, and calm presence in high-pressure reps—and it's clear [player_tooltip player_id='752847' first='Brooke' last='Larsen'] is a setter with a complete skill set and next-level potential.   🔥 [player_tooltip player_id='713562' first='Julia' last='Heidt']– Setter (Class of 2027)   [player_tooltip player_id='713562' first='Julia' last='Heidt'] made a major impression with her ability to take control of the offense and adapt in real time. She demonstrated strong hands with a consistent release, keeping the ball in tempo and her hitters in rhythm across all zones.   What set her apart was her ability to run both in-system and out-of-system plays without hesitation. Whether it was a tight pass or a scramble play, she found a way to square up and deliver. She changed up her location and tempo well—using fast balls to the pin and second-tempo middle sets.   Her feel for the flow of the game, combined with her leadership and constant communication, made her a reliable and dynamic presence on the floor.   🔥 [player_tooltip player_id='724960' first='Courtney' last='Heiser']– Setter (Class of 2027)   [player_tooltip player_id='724960' first='Courtney' last='Heiser'] brought undeniable energy to the court every time she stepped on. She was vocal, locked-in, and constantly firing up her teammates—exactly what you want in a setter running the show. Her tempo control was sharp, and she adjusted well based on the pass, delivering clean balls across all zones.   Courtney delivered consistent location, even in high-pressure or off-balance situations. She was confident pushing quicks, running the slide, and throwing a smooth backset. What made her stand out was her ability to command the floor—not just with her hands, but with her voice and presence.   She's the kind of setter who raises the intensity and keeps the offense humming with smart choices and relentless energy.   🔥 [player_tooltip player_id='723230' first='Riley' last='Remmick']– Setter (Class of 2028)   [player_tooltip player_id='723230' first='Riley' last='Remmick'] is a rising setter who already plays with the confidence and control of someone years older. As a 2028, her command of the court was impressive—she kept the offense flowing with clean hands, quick tempo, and solid decision-making in every rotation.   What stood out most was her calm under pressure. Riley handled off-the-net balls with composure and consistently found a way to deliver hittable sets. She showed great touch on her quicks and a smooth release on her backsets. Even in fast-paced drills, she stayed vocal and energized, bringing life to every rep.   Riley's court awareness, steady communication, and early ability to run a system make her a young setter to keep a close eye on as she continues to develop.   🔥 [player_tooltip player_id='725179' first='Kali' last='Reiners']– Setter (Class of 2026)   [player_tooltip player_id='725179' first='Kali' last='Reiners'] is a relentless workhorse and natural floor commander. Her quick hands and sharp court awareness allow her to read blockers and deliver clean, tempo-perfect sets—whether it's fast middles, slides, or backsets.   She thrives under pressure, stays composed, and makes smart decisions that keep her hitters in rhythm. Vocal and aggressive, Kali sets the tone on and off the court, mixing speed with control and using well-timed dumps to keep defenses guessing.   Kali is the complete package—leadership, skill, and the drive to run a winning offense.   They recognized split blocks, made quick reads on opposing defenses, and made smart choices in transition. Running a 5-1 or a 6-2 didn't matter—they adapted. Their hands were quiet, their footwork sharp, and their decision-making mature beyond their years.   These setters displayed the ability to:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Manipulate tempo based on the hitter's approach</li>   <li>Set against the flow to keep blockers guessing</li>   <li>Back set with precision in transition</li>   <li>Deliver second-ball options when the play broke down</li>   <li>Lead vocally and emotionally when matches got tight</li> </ul>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Setters Like These Matter</h3>   In today's game, setters have to be more than accurate—they have to be commanders. They need to be floor generals who run the offense while reading the defense, who deliver clean balls and rally their team when the energy dips. What I saw at the NCR RTDP were athletes doing exactly that.   They showed composure under pressure, trusted their decisions, and elevated everyone around them. Whether it was a perfectly timed slide set, a gutsy dump at the right moment, or a hard angle to the pin out of system—they showed they belonged on that court and, more importantly, deserved to lead it.~Theresa @prepdigdakotas

This is the second installment in my coverage of the NCR RTDP (North Country Region – Region Team Development Program), a brand-new initiative that invited 50 of the top volleyball players from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. These athletes were handpicked to experience high-level training designed around the USA Volleyball system—focused, detailed, and demanding.