Big Impact: Standouts Who Caught Our Attention

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;<strong>digdakotas30</strong>&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every season brings a wave of new faces—athletes who step onto the court ready to prove themselves, ready to work, and ready to lead. This group didn't just show skills; they showed presence. They communicated, competed, encouraged, and elevated everyone around them. These players impressed us with effort, execution, and the kind of intangibles you can't teach. They embraced their roles, played with heart, and made their teams undeniably better. Here are the newcomers who earned our attention and left their mark this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='791639' first='Anna' last='Becker'] – Defensive Specialist</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='791639' first='Anna' last='Becker'] made an immediate statement with her clean platform and fearless pursuit on first contact. She anchored serve-receive patterns with quiet efficiency, consistently delivering high, controlled passes that kept her team in-system. Anna's read-and-react instincts were advanced for her age—she tracked hitters exceptionally well and positioned herself early, allowing her to make digs that looked routine but were far from it. What elevated her impact was her vocal presence. She communicated relentlessly, organized seams, and kept the backcourt connected. Her leadership came naturally, and her steady energy became the foundation her team leaned on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904558' first='Livvy' last='Audiss'] – Outside/DS</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='904558' first='Livvy' last='Audiss'] brought a spark to the court that was impossible to ignore. As a pin attacker, she excelled in transition, using fast footwork to beat the block and find the seam. Her arm swing was fluid and adaptable—she could go high hands, tip to space, or rip cross depending on what the defense gave. When she rotated into the back row, Livvy contributed just as strongly. Her serve-receive reps were confident, and she had a knack for turning tough digs into playable balls. Livvy's leadership showed in her hustle; she played every rally with intent, modeling effort that her teammates naturally followed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830441' first='Brianna' last='Davis'] – Outside/DS</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='830441' first='Brianna' last='Davis'] was a player who made her presence felt from the very first touch. She carried a powerful swing that demanded attention, especially on out-of-system balls where she stayed aggressive and composed. Brianna's ability to keep her hips open and attack sharp angles gave her a dynamic range offensively. Defensively, she was disciplined with her footwork and body positioning, rarely over-pursuing and always staying balanced. What stood out most was her maturity. She held teammates accountable, celebrated their wins, and played with a competitive fire that elevated her entire side of the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='811171' first='Ashlynn' last='Elshere'] – Middle Hitter</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few newcomers controlled the middle of the court like [player_tooltip player_id='811171' first='Ashlynn' last='Elshere']. Her blocking presence was a true difference-maker—she read setters well, closed seams with precision, and pressed over with strong, disciplined hands. On the offensive side, Ashlynn ran quick tempos with ease, connecting on 1-balls, slides, and push-tempos with impressive consistency. Her footwork was clean, allowing her to transition off the net quickly and become a constant scoring threat. Ashlynn's leadership shined through her competitiveness. She didn't shy away from big moments and consistently brought energy that fueled her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815915' first='Lilly' last='Barfuss'] – Middle Hitter</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='815915' first='Lilly' last='Barfuss'] brought a blend of strength, speed, and volleyball IQ that made her one of the most impactful middle blockers in this group. Her blocking technique was high-level—she stayed patient, waited on hitters to commit, and sealed the net with an authoritative presence. Offensively, she excelled at finding open lanes, especially on slides where her approach speed created separation from the block. Lilly's court communication set her apart; she constantly called cover responsibilities, directed blocking matchups, and steadied her team in tense moments. She led through consistency and a calm confidence that never wavered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914214' first='Cora' last='Hofer'] – Rightside Attacker/Blocker</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='914214' first='Cora' last='Hofer'] stepped into the right side role and immediately became a problem for opponents. Her block timing was exceptional—strong hands, disciplined shoulders, and great lateral movement along the net. Offensively, she attacked with purpose, using her height and reach to score over smaller blockers and tool hands in tight situations. Cora also excelled in out-of-system swings, staying high and hitting smart instead of forcing bad angles. What truly made her special was her presence as a connector. She encouraged relentlessly, celebrated every point with intention, and brought a steady leadership that lifted her entire roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914216' first='Paige' last='Werdel'] – Outside/DS</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='914216' first='Paige' last='Werdel'] played with a competitive edge that instantly set her apart. Her back-row consistency was outstanding—Paige passed with confidence and made difficult digs look controllable. Offensively, she attacked with range, using smart shot selection to expose gaps in coverage. Her cross-court ball was especially dangerous, as she mixed pace and depth to keep defenders uncomfortable. Paige carried herself like a seasoned leader. She communicated between points, kept her teammates organized, and never backed down from taking the big swing when her team needed it. Her energy, grit, and volleyball IQ made her a standout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914221' first='Gracyn' last='Bixler'] – Setter</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every team needs a setter who can run the show with poise, creativity, and consistency—and that's exactly what [player_tooltip player_id='914221' first='Gracyn' last='Bixler'] delivered. She commanded the offense with mature decision-making, distributing sets based on matchups, rhythm, and flow. Gracyn's hands were smooth, allowing her to run tempo efficiently and keep blockers guessing. She excelled in transition, sprinting off the pass and delivering hittable balls even in chaotic moments. What truly set Gracyn apart was her leadership. She communicated constantly, lifted her hitters, and provided a calming, confident presence that anchored her team on and off the court. She played the role of a floor general with pride and precision.</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 --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->