Rising Stars Shine At Volley In The Valley

<!-- 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><strong><em>Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Over 8 hours</strong>. Twenty teams. Endless rallies, blocks, digs, and swings. That was the reality inside Central Cass as the <strong>Volley in the Valley Tournament</strong> unfolded. With programs from across North Dakota battling it out, the gym was electric from the first serve to the final whistle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an intense day of pool play and bracket showdowns, the final eight standing proved just how deep the talent pool is this season: <strong>MayPort-CG, Devils Lake, Thompson, LaMoure, EKM, Grafton, Linton, and Central Cass</strong>. Each of these squads showed grit, execution, and depth, and the matchups delivered the kind of energy you expect in October—not the opening weeks of September.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I spent the entire day moving from gym to gym, scouting players, studying rotations, and soaking in the atmosphere. While I wasn't able to see every single match, I walked away with a list of athletes who absolutely stood out. These aren't just solid starters—they're <strong>difference-makers</strong>, players who already look poised to impact the North Dakota season in a major way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are my <strong>top picks</strong> from the tournament—and why they caught my eye.</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">[player_tooltip player_id='811963' first='Brooklyn' last='Schumacher'] – Linton – Outside Hitter (Tournament MVP)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schumacher was nothing short of outstanding, and she earns my pick as <strong>Tournament MVP</strong>. She carried Linton with her consistent scoring from the outside, hitting with both power and precision. Beyond offense, her passing, defense, and leadership made her a complete six-rotation player who never left the court. Her ability to read blockers, adjust swings on the fly, and find seams in tight rotations kept her team ahead in crucial moments. Schumacher also elevated her teammates—communicating, hustling on every ball, and maintaining energy that kept Linton focused through long rallies. When her team needed a big play, she delivered—time and time again—showing why she is one of the top players to watch this season.</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">Emersyn Schwab – Lisbon – Middle Blocker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schwab brought pure size and presence at the net. Her ability to close blocks and read opposing setters disrupted opponents all day long. Combine that with her quick transitions into the attack, and she proved she's not just a defensive anchor but also an offensive weapon in the middle.</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">Alivia Lacina – LaMoure – Middle Blocker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lacina showed the kind of consistency every coach loves in the middle. Her timing on quicks was sharp, and she made herself available in transition, keeping her setter options open. What stood out most was her ability to run slides—stretching defenses and creating constant mismatches.</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">Julia DelaBarre – LaMoure – Middle Blocker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DelaBarre brought a spark to LaMoure with her energy and court presence. She hustled on every play, from closing blocks to covering tips, and she wasn't afraid to swing aggressively out of transition. Her competitive edge made her one of the toughest middles to slow down on the day.</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">Peyton Larson – DVE – Outside Hitter</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Larson has the kind of arm swing that can flip momentum in a single rally. She hit with range—mixing line, cross, and off-speed shots that kept defenses guessing. Add in her relentless back-row defense, and she was one of the most complete outsides I saw in the gym.</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">[player_tooltip player_id='809954' first='Danica' last='Gross'] – Thompson – Middle Blocker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gross impressed with her athleticism. She ran quicks with tempo and connected cleanly with her setter, putting pressure on opposing middles. Her blocking presence was just as strong—sealing seams and getting touches that made life easier for her back row.</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">[player_tooltip player_id='782408' first='Vivien' last='Majkrzak'] – Thompson – Right Side</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Majkrzak gave Thompson an edge on the pin. She provided a reliable block against some of the tournament's top outside hitters, but she also showed she can terminate from the right. Her ability to score in transition made her one of Thompson's most valuable weapons.</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">[player_tooltip player_id='809616' first='Elle' last='Schumacher'] – Grafton – Middle Blocker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schumacher was a force in the middle, showing she can dominate both sides of the ball. Offensively, she runs the slide with confidence, stretching defenses and creating tough matchups for blockers who struggled to close against her speed. Her blocking presence was just as impactful—reading hitters well and getting timely touches to slow the game down. With her combination of power, versatility, and athleticism, Schumacher proved she can change the momentum of a match in an instant.</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">[player_tooltip player_id='809989' first='Alexis' last='Tompkins'] – Grafton – Middle Blocker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tompkins made her mark with her hustle and motor. She stayed active in transition and never took a play off. Her willingness to go after every ball—whether on a joust at the net or covering a block—made her a gritty and dependable presence for Grafton.</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">[player_tooltip player_id='832913' first='Izzy' last='Thompson'] – Central Cass – Outside Hitter</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson was dynamic for Central Cass, giving them offense in key moments. She passed well out of serve-receive and carried that momentum into her swings, where she consistently found ways to score. Her all-around skill set makes her one of the most valuable six-rotation outsides in her class.</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">[player_tooltip player_id='724988' first='Kinley' last='Johnson'] – Devils Lake – Middle Blocker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson stood tall in the middle for Devils Lake. She's a force as a blocker, using her size and timing to neutralize hitters at the net. On offense, she provided reliable quick attacks, helping Devils Lake stay competitive against strong front rows.</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">[player_tooltip player_id='726034' first='Aspyn' last='Prien'] – Central Cass – Middle Blocker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prien's athleticism and vertical made her a fun player to watch. She got up fast on quicks and wasn't afraid to challenge blockers head-on. Defensively, she closed blocks quickly and hustled for coverage, proving she's a well-rounded middle on the rise.</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">[player_tooltip player_id='883410' first='Mazie' last='Tjernlund'] – EKM – Setter</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tjernlund was the steady hand running EKM's offense. Her hands were clean, and she kept her hitters in rhythm by mixing tempo and disguising her sets. What stood out was her hustle—chasing down tough passes and keeping rallies alive when her team needed it most.</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">[player_tooltip player_id='883411' first='Betsy' last='Huber'] – EKM – Middle Blocker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huber showed toughness and grit in the middle. She battled on every play, going after blocks and swinging hard on every ball she got. Her energy was contagious, and her presence in both rotations gave EKM the spark they needed in close matches.</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">[player_tooltip player_id='831721' first='Elli' last='Lloyd'] – EKM – Outside Hitter</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lloyd played with composure beyond her age. She made smart decisions on her swings, tooling the block and finding shots when the set wasn't perfect. Add in her passing stability, and she was one of EKM's most reliable six-rotation outsides.</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">Karleigh Kadoun – Sargent County – Outside Hitter</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kadoun caught attention with her aggressive style of play. She swung hard, used her range effectively, and showed she isn't afraid to challenge the block. Her back-row defense was equally strong, making her a complete player for Sargent County.</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">Emmrey Baumgartner – Linton – Middle Blocker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baumgartner was efficient and steady. She stayed ready for quicks, consistently giving her setter a strong target in transition. Defensively, her ability to read hitters and adjust her block made her a key piece of Linton's front-row success.</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">Bobbie Janczewski – Linton – Middle Blocker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Janczewski brought toughness to Linton's front line. She was strong at the net, both offensively and defensively, and her competitive fire stood out. Her ability to swing hard and control the block made her one of the more underrated middles in the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <strong>Volley in the Valley</strong> tournament was the perfect early-season showcase of what North Dakota volleyball has to offer in 2025. The depth of talent is undeniable, with freshmen already making their presence known, upperclassmen taking on leadership roles, and programs showing why they'll be dangerous down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's only September, but if Saturday was any indication, this season is going to be packed with battles, rivalries, and standout performances. These players made their mark in Central Cass—and they're definitely ones to watch as the season unfolds.</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. Every player deserves a shot, and I'm honored to help tell their stories.</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <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&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/">PrepDig.com.</a>&nbsp;With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->