Vol. 4 Get to know your top 2027’s for June 15th!

Over the past few months, we've seen a powerful shift—more and more athletes from North Dakota and South Dakota are stepping onto the national stage. From earning spots at NTDP and RTDP to landing college offers at every level, these players are proving that talent in the Dakotas runs deep.   While we've always had standout athletes, there's something different happening now. This new wave of girls isn't waiting to be noticed—they're putting in the work, chasing their dreams, and showing the volleyball world they belong among the best. And they absolutely do.   I'm excited to introduce you to the next group of Dakota standouts you'll want to know ahead of June 15th. Let's dive in!    Why do you want to play college volleyball?   ~To continue my growth in volleyball and meet new people!   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?   ~Working out three times a week and camps in the summer and lots of privates.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?   ~Not gonna lie it's hard but the biggest thing is by being organized and just getting as much sleep as you can to prepare for the next day.   What are your strengths and weaknesses as a player?   ~Strengths I think would be my IQ and how I read the ball. Also using my different shots and being able to put the ball in different places. Weakness's would be setting.   What are your academic interests or intended major?   ~Something medical.     Why do you want to play college volleyball?   ~To keep playing the sport i love and to make new memories with new amazing people.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?   ~In season I have practice every day after school and workout 2-3 times a week and during off season I try to workout every day during the week.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?   ~I prioritize school above all because student comes before athlete but volleyball is very important to me so I focus on that outside of school a lot and during my free time I spent time with my friends and go to other school events.   What are your strengths and weaknesses as a player?   ~My strengths as a player would be that i am able to lift up the positivity on the court and keep a smile on my face, i will always be saying something on and off the court. I am coachable and will try anything new and play the best I can at any position I'm put in. I'd say my weaknesses as a player is that I don't take negative criticism as well as being told what I'm doing wrong and how I can fix it.   What are your academic interests or intended major?   ~Finance, Business, Marketing, Sciences     Why do you want to play college volleyball?   ~I really love and enjoy volleyball and it's a dream of mine to play in college.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?   ~In and off season I am lifting 3-5 times a week, and doing open gyms!   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?   ~I make sure and focus on priorities outside of school and work hard to accomplish what needs to be done.   What are your strengths and weaknesses as a player?   ~My strengths are adjusting to blockers and swinging high when it comes down to my height, and weaknesses are probably blocking but I'm working to improve.   What are your academic interests or intended major?   ~Something in the medical field, or some sort of nursing.     Why do you want to play college volleyball?   ~I've always loved volleyball since I was a little girl and it has always been a dream of mine to excel in volleyball.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?   ~Practice is 2-3 times a week usually 2 and a half hours long. I try lift 4-6 times a week off season and in season it's more like 3-5 times a week. And I go to open gym in season Monday- Thursday from 3:30-5.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?   ~I keep my Fridays and Sundays open. Sometimes instead of open gym I'll try to work one of the week days and Saturdays. When it comes to friends I try to do small things with them if I have some free time. And then with my family I always keep them updated after practice or during the week with how everything is going. Volleyball is my main priority, so I try to work around that.   What are your strengths and weaknesses as a player?   ~A strength for me is always being loud and positive. Ever since I was little I had such a passion while I played and I still do. I bring the fire and energy, and communication is so big during big rally's so I try to talk as much as I can. And a weakness for me or something I could work on is being more consistent with all aspects. Some games are either amazing or not the best. And I get inconsistent with hitting in the block or getting to the pin in my own block. So I can work on that and just becoming a more consistent player.   What are your academic interests or intended major?   ~Medical or business, still not sure what I want to do but I'm thinking the medical field mostly.     Why do you want to play college volleyball?   ~I want to be able to inspire younger girls!   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?   ~In season- volleyball practice every weekday and lifting 3 times a week. Off season- lifting 3 times a week, open gym 4 times a week, beach volleyball on the weekends.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?   ~I put school first making sure my homework is done by the time I go to practice so i can work hard and focus only on volleyball. Whenever I don't have practice I make plans with friends and have a good time.   What are your strengths and weaknesses as a player?   ~Strength- able to cheer on my team and keep a smile on my face. Weakness- I think about it too much and I start making mistakes.   What are your academic interests or intended major?   ~Undecided     Why do you want to play college volleyball?   ~I want to play college volleyball because I thrive in high-level competition and love the game. Volleyball has shaped me through teamwork, discipline, and growth. It's also a way to build lifelong connections and meet people from different backgrounds. Most of all, I want to be a role model—proving that even from a small town, with hard work and passion, you can achieve big goals.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?   ~During the season, I practice at 4:30 PM, including weights and speed/agility three times a week. I aim for a private lesson or gym session every two weeks and spend at least 15 minutes daily on technique, either solo or with a partner. Before tournaments, I keep it light with focused technique work.   In the offseason, I train from 5:45 to 7:30 AM daily and attend college or skills camps about once a week. I also do private lessons every two weeks and get extra reps with teammates when possible. Alone, I focus on position-specific skills; with others, I work on all-around gameplay.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?   ~Balancing volleyball, school, and life takes real commitment—especially with a two-hour drive to practice three times a week. I stay grounded through my faith in God and prioritize what matters most. Time management and organization are key, whether it's early choir, after-school makeup work, clubs, or a job. I've learned to make sacrifices but also schedule time to recharge and avoid burnout. It's not easy, but when you love the game and stay dedicated, you find a way to make it all work.   What are your strengths and weaknesses as a player?   ~I bring versatility, mental toughness, and coachability to every game. I adapt well, stay composed under pressure, and lead with empathy and positivity. I'm driven to win, open to learning from opponents, and hold myself accountable. While I work hard, I'm learning to balance that drive with taking time for myself outside of volleyball.   What are your academic interests or intended major?   ~I intend to go the pre-med route with a focus in animal science.    Good luck to all of these incredible athletes! We've got one more round of interviews coming as we continue highlighting the top talent from the Dakotas. A huge thank you to every player who took the time to respond and share their story. No matter where the future takes you, remember—you already inspire others just by showing what's possible. Keep chasing your dreams!   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <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>

Over the past few months, we've seen a powerful shift—more and more athletes from North Dakota and South Dakota are stepping onto the national stage. From earning spots at NTDP and RTDP to landing college offers at every level, these players are proving that talent in the Dakotas runs deep.