Sioux Falls Washington Volleyball: Redemption Season on Deck

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to Prep Dig using discount code digdakotas30</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last fall, Sioux Falls Washington came within striking distance of a state championship, only to fall to defending champs Harrisburg in the Class AA final. It was a tough ending to a season filled with grit and growth. But if you thought that loss broke this program's momentum, think again. The Warriors have been grinding all offseason, and this fall, they'll take the court with one goal in mind—finishing the job.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's roster has a mix of seasoned leaders and rising talent, giving Washington the balance to play fast, defend relentlessly, and keep pressure on opponents from every rotation. The Warriors may have graduated some of their vocal leaders, but the next wave is hungry, battle-tested, and determined to bring home hardware. With so many players stepping into bigger roles, expect a team that thrives on speed, ball control, and physicality at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's who's set to lead the charge in 2025–26:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Senior Leaders (Class of 2026)</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='794375' first='Hannah' last='Nesdahl'] (Defensive Specialist)</strong> – Nesdahl will be the anchor in serve-receive, delivering clean first contact and covering the floor with range. She brings poise in high-pressure moments and the ability to keep the Warriors in system.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Avery Barck (Right Side Hitter)</strong> – At the net, Barck's length and blocking instincts will be key against top attackers. Offensively, her quick arm and ability to terminate from the right pin provide balance to the offense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831340' first='Dana' last='Harpe'] (Outside Hitter)</strong> – Harpe can be a steady six-rotation option, combining clean ball control in the back row with the ability to score from anywhere. Her versatility keeps Washington's offense unpredictable.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='844239' first='Rylan' last='Kennett'] (Right Side Hitter)</strong> – A physical, high-energy attacker who thrives in transition and brings a strong block, Kennett will be a weapon on the right.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Emily Akkerman (Setter)</strong> – The heartbeat of Washington's offense, Akkerman runs a fast-paced, balanced system. Her ability to spread the ball and create one-on-one matchups makes every attacker more dangerous.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835920' first='Maylee' last='Roth'] (Outside Hitter)</strong> – Roth adds firepower with her athleticism and high contact point, capable of putting balls away in system or bailing the team out on broken plays.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Juniors (Class of 2027)</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ivy Freesemann (Defensive Specialist)</strong> – Quick, scrappy, and relentless, Freesemann reads attackers early and extends rallies with controlled digs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Liliana Rolon (Defensive Specialist)</strong> – Brings stability and confidence in serve-receive, along with smart positioning that keeps the floor covered.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='745814' first='Aubrielle' last='Perry'] (Middle Blocker)</strong> – Explosive out of transition with a quick arm on quicks and slides, Perry can change the rhythm of a match with her energy at the net.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752427' first='Chloe' last='Peterson'] (Middle Blocker)</strong> – A long, disciplined blocker who times her moves well and can close seams to shut down opposing hitters.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760392' first='Meagan' last='McCloskey'] (Setter)</strong> – A smooth distributor who can run tempo to every zone, McCloskey adds depth and flexibility to the setting unit, especially in a 6–2 system.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Sophomores (Class of 2028)</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jersey Petersen (Middle Blocker)</strong> – Petersen brings length and upside, using her quick reactions and growing confidence to make an impact at the net.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Josie Biteler (Outside Hitter)</strong> – A young outside with a live arm and fearless mindset, Biteler has the tools to provide a scoring punch off the bench or in rotation.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What's Coming Next</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the summer is technically the offseason, for Washington it's been anything but a break. Strength sessions, club reps, and team workouts have this group prepared to open the fall season sharp and hungry. And the Warriors' roster isn't even complete yet—the incoming freshman class could add even more depth and competition to an already talented group. Plus any other underclassmen that has been stepping up over the summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This program knows what it feels like to get close but come up short. That sting is fueling them. With experienced setters to run a fast offense, pin hitters who can score under pressure, defensive specialists who keep the floor covered, and middles who can control the net, Washington has all the pieces to make another deep postseason push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The road back to the state title won't be easy—Harrisburg and other Class AA powers will be coming just as hard—but the Warriors aren't backing down. They're built for speed, grit, and the kind of relentless play that wins in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mark it down now: Sioux Falls Washington isn't just chasing a return to state—they're coming for redemption. Expect this team to be one of the most exciting, must-watch programs in South Dakota volleyball this fall.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>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. 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