Day one: Rising Stars Making Noise at AAU Nationals

Okay, I may not be courtside in sunny Florida—but thank goodness for BallerTV, because I've been on the grind! With access to over 1,000 teams at Nationals, I've been diving deep into the action—and let me tell you, the 2029s are bringing the heat!   For many of these athletes, it's their first taste of Nationals, and the energy is electric. The hustle, the grit, the joy—it's contagious. Watching these young stars chase down balls, celebrate every point, and lead with heart is a powerful reminder of why I love doing what I do.   <a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">Subscribe</a> to Prep Dig using code JUNE15READY for 50% off   Nationals is where dreams grow bigger. And today, I'm spotlighting a group of 2029 players who made a serious impression on Day One. They showed leadership, intensity, and pure love for the game—and college coaches, this is your early warning: it's never too early to build your list.   Let's dive in and meet the future!    Claire Iverson wasted no time making her presence known on Day One. Playing with high energy and non-stop hustle, she was covering serious ground—whether chasing down a tip or getting into position for a block.   As an outside, Claire brought steady production with deep corner swings that consistently found the floor. She stayed aggressive in transition and wasn't afraid to go after tough balls. Her court coverage was impressive—scrappy on defense and quick to reset after each play.   Smart, dependable, and relentless—she's the kind of outside every team needs to keep the rhythm rolling. Great showing to start Nationals!~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Madden Tollefson showed up on Day One with sharp footwork and smooth hands that stood out right away. She ran the court with confidence, keeping her hitters involved and defenses guessing.   What really impressed was her willingness to mix things up—she wasn't afraid to go for the quicks, shoot sets, or even push it outside on the run. Her tempo and placement showed she understands the flow of the game, and she kept her offense in system even during tight plays.   Calm, creative, and composed, Madden is definitely a setter to keep watching as Nationals roll on!~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Emeri Bartels brought high energy and hustle from the first whistle, but what really stood out was her ability to make in-game adjustments as an attacker. Playing outside, she stayed patient, read the defense, and made smart changes to her approach and shot selection—a rare skill at this age.   Whether it was changing up her angle or timing to find the open court, Emeri showed a level of awareness and coachability that's exciting to see early on. She's definitely one to watch!~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Calla Rave was holding it down in the middle with great court awareness and solid timing on her block. She read the setter well and was quick off the net, always ready to close the block and get her hands up strong.   Offensively, she worked hard in transition and stayed available for quicks and slides, showing she's learning how to stay active in the offense. Calla's energy was steady, her hustle was real, and she's showing all the signs of becoming a reliable presence at the net!~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Tatum Kline brought the heat from the right side! As a lefty, her swing naturally gave defenders trouble, and she used it well—consistently attacking deep corners with power and precision.   She stayed aggressive in transition and wasn't afraid to challenge the block. Tatum showed solid timing and confidence, and her court presence stood out all match long. A fun player to watch with big potential!~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='785915' first='Jillian' last='Rowe'] made her presence known at the net! As a middle hitter, she was quick on her feet, closing blocks with solid timing and staying active in transition. Her ability to read the setter and get into position fast gave her the edge on both offense and defense.   Jillian brought great energy and stayed locked in all match—calling for the ball and putting up a strong wall on the block. She's a middle to keep an eye on as she continues to develop!~Theresa @prepdigdakotas    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you to all my readers for making this journey possible. My goal has always been simple—to shine a light on athletes at every level, from Division I to NAIA, and give them a platform to keep chasing their love for the game. Every player deserves a shot, and I'm honored to help tell their stories.</h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Please help us continue to grow this positive platform for players by spreading the word and encouraging your friends to subscribe at <a href="https://prepdig.com/">PrepDig.com.</a> With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!</h2>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.</h4>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman @prepdigdakotas</h4>

Okay, I may not be courtside in sunny Florida—but thank goodness for BallerTV, because I've been on the grind! With access to over 1,000 teams at Nationals, I've been diving deep into the action—and let me tell you, the 2029s are bringing the heat!