High School News: Who Are Top Generals You Should Know This Week

<p><em><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">Subscribe</a> to Prep Dig using discount code digdakotas30</strong></em></p>   <p><strong><em>Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p>   <p>In volleyball, few roles demand as much precision, decision-making, and consistency as the setter. Often referred to as the “quarterback of the court,” setters are responsible for orchestrating the offense, delivering clean and timely balls to hitters, and disguising their intentions to keep blockers guessing. Their vision, ball control, and ability to command tempo can completely change the rhythm of a match. A great setter must pair technical skills with high volleyball IQ, knowing when to speed up an attack, push the ball to the pins, or feed the hot hand in the middle.</p>   <p>What sets the elite apart is not only their hands, but also their leadership, defensive range, and ability to steady their team in high-pressure moments. Across the region, several setters are standing out with their unique strengths and styles of play. Here's a look at ten athletes who are making their mark.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lillian VanHeel</strong></h3>   <p>VanHeel runs an offense with poise, rarely rattled by tight situations. Her ability to disguise her intentions with a calm, steady demeanor gives hitters clean looks against single blocks. She thrives in transition, turning broken plays into scoring opportunities with quick, high-IQ decisions. College coaches will notice her consistency—her set location barely wavers, even under defensive pressure. She brings an element of trust that allows her hitters to swing aggressively knowing the ball will be in rhythm.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747009' first='Kate' last='Thompson']</strong></h3>   <p>Thompson brings a fiery competitiveness that fuels her team's energy. She's a setter who isn't afraid to be aggressive at the net—dumping the ball over on second contact to keep defenses honest. Her athleticism allows her to chase down tough passes and still deliver hittable balls, a skill that elevates her back row presence as much as her front row leadership. Thompson's combination of grit and creativity gives her the edge to change momentum with a single play, making her a weapon in tight matches.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hayden Berg</strong></h3>   <p>Berg's strength lies in tempo and distribution. She has a knack for keeping her offense balanced, feeding middles early to draw blockers and then finding her pin hitters in one-on-one situations. Her ability to run a fast offense keeps defenses scrambling, while her calm court presence keeps her attackers composed. She excels at connecting with middles in transition, a skill that separates advanced setters from the rest. Berg's vision and ability to spread the ball create a tough-to-predict attack that any program would value.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='794234' first='Gwenyth' last='Rein']</strong></h3>   <p>Rein is a setter who leads with vocal command and energy, always in communication with her teammates. Her floor leadership builds confidence around her, making her more than just a ball-distributor—she's the emotional anchor. Rein's hands are clean and consistent, but what stands out is her ability to connect with her hitters through trust and encouragement. She doesn't just run plays; she elevates the chemistry on the court, something every successful offense depends on.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='522694' first='Autumn' last='Drennan']</strong></h3>   <p>Drennan plays with a deceptive flair. She has an instinct for knowing when to pull defenses forward with a setter dump and when to stretch them wide to the pins. Her ability to read blockers mid-rally allows her to make last-second decisions that put her attackers in the best position to score. Drennan thrives under pressure and embraces big-point moments, delivering fearless sets that give her team momentum. Her playmaking ability makes her a dangerous weapon, even beyond traditional setting duties.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492598' first='Chelsea' last='Zentz']</strong></h3>   <p>Zentz is a setter who excels in back row defense, blending her setting duties with libero-like coverage. She reads the game well, anticipating attacks and putting herself in position to dig balls that might otherwise fall. In transition, her hands are quick and reliable, turning digs into seamless offensive chances. Coaches will love her all-around skill set—she's not just a distributor but also a defensive anchor who adds another layer of stability to her lineup.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Addie Schaper</strong></h3>   <p>Schaper has a fast release and a dynamic jump set that keeps blockers guessing. Her ability to push the ball from difficult angles allows her hitters to stay in system more often, even off imperfect passes. She thrives in fast-paced offenses, where her ability to accelerate tempo can overwhelm defenses. Beyond her technical execution, Schaper brings confidence and swagger to her game, a presence that raises the intensity level of her teammates.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249685' first='Savy' last='Repinski']</strong></h3>   <p>Repinski brings patience and precision to her setting style. She values location over flash, ensuring every ball is delivered in the exact spot her hitters prefer. That consistency builds trust with her attackers, who know they can swing in rhythm regardless of match conditions. Repinski's strength is in her steady reliability; she rarely forces a play, instead making smart, disciplined decisions that keep her offense efficient and mistake-free.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261237' first='Harper' last='Goldsmith']</strong></h3>   <p>Goldsmith shines in her ability to create scoring opportunities out of chaos. She's at her best when the play breaks down, using athleticism and quick decision-making to salvage tough passes. Her hustle keeps rallies alive and gives her team second chances to score. She's also fearless in using her front-row presence, capable of scoring points herself when the defense relaxes. That dual threat—creating offense for others and herself—makes her a versatile leader on the floor.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hayden Mikkelson</strong></h3>   <p>Mikkelson's biggest weapon is her connection with hitters. She has an uncanny ability to read her attackers' timing and tendencies, adjusting her set location to match their swing style. This setter-hitter chemistry allows her team's offense to flow seamlessly, with hitters attacking in rhythm. Mikkelson's strength lies in her adaptability—she can tailor her game to fit her teammates, an advanced skill that demonstrates volleyball IQ and unselfish leadership.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h3>   <p>Setters don't always fill the stat sheet with kills or blocks, but their fingerprints are on every point scored. They're the floor generals, decision-makers, and emotional leaders who set the tone for their teams. The athletes above bring different strengths—whether it's leadership, tempo, defense, or creativity—but they all share the same essential trait: they make everyone around them better. For college coaches looking for a difference-maker, these setters are proving they're ready to run the show at the next level.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <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. Every player deserves a shot, and I'm honored to help tell their stories.</em></strong></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>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!</em></strong></h2>   <p><strong><em>This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.</em></strong></p>   <p><strong><em>Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman</em></strong></p>   <p><strong><em>Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p>

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