Exposure Tour: Hustle, Grit, and High Energy on Full Display

<!-- 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>The Exposure Tour: <em>Hustle, Grit, and High Energy on Full Display</em> lived up to every expectation and then some. From the first ball to the final whistle, athletes showed exactly what separates good players from game-changers — relentless effort, fearless competitiveness, and the kind of motor that never dips no matter how long the rally runs. This event wasn't just about skill; it was about who could dig deeper, think faster, and elevate the court around them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players brought a fire you could feel from the sidelines. Extra-effort plays, pursuit touches, out-of-system creativity, and refusal-to-quit defense became the norm. Whether distributing, defending, or attacking, these athletes showcased the mentality coaches want and the energy that shifts momentum instantly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the standout players who embodied the essence of the Exposure Tour — the ones who competed with grit, played with urgency, and stamped their names into the notebook for this upcoming club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["905662"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692e069a4400c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='905662' first='Kaliah' last='DeMuro'] | DS/L</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">DeMuro's defensive motor was impossible to miss. She covered more floor than anyone around her, reading hitters early and beating the ball to the spot with sharp, aggressive footwork. What stood out most was her willingness to take charge — she called seams confidently, stepped into heavy serves without hesitation, and delivered clean, controlled passes even when absorbing pace. Her pursuit game showed next-level grit, turning what should've been dead plays into second-chance opportunities. ~<strong>Theresa @prepdigdakotas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br><strong>What I'm hoping to see this club season:</strong> Continued development as a serve-receive leader who anchors the pattern and controls first contact with even greater consistency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["721600"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692e069a4409d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='721600' first='Sophia' last='Merkel'] | DS/L</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Merkel impressed with her calm, steady presence in the back row. While others played fast, she played <strong>smart</strong>, using disciplined angles and body control to neutralize tough serves and heavy swings. Her reading ability stood out right away — she anticipated tip vs. swing, positioned herself early, and made technically sound digs that kept the ball in system. Her composure in long rallies made her a stabilizer, the kind of defender who quietly elevates every play around her. ~<strong>Theresa @prepdigdakotas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br><strong>What I'm hoping to see this club season:</strong> A bump in defensive aggression, especially expanding her range on cross-court digs and chase-down plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["826617"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692e069a44103"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826617' first='Isabella' last='Victa'] | DS/L</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Victa brought pure energy — the type of defender who is <em>always</em> in motion and constantly involved in the play. She excelled in scramble situations, using quick reactions and clean emergency platforms to create playable digs out of chaotic touches. What caught my eye was her transition into coverage; she read hitters well and positioned herself exactly where the ball was going. Her serve receive was confident and intentional, stepping into high-pressure balls with good posture and strong angles. ~<strong>Theresa @prepdigdakotas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br><strong>What I'm hoping to see this club season:</strong> Continued refinement of her platform discipline so she can pair her natural energy with an even more polished, repeatable first-contact technique.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["779898"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692e069a44160"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='779898' first='Ariana' last='Hardcastle'] | DS/L</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hardcastle was one of the grittiest defenders on the court. She played with a fearless edge, throwing her body into every pursuit opportunity and refusing to let the ball hit the floor without a fight. Her defensive reads were sharp — she stayed patient, held her base, and made high-level digs off hard-driven balls. In serve receive, she showed confidence handling tough servers and adjusting mid-rep when locations shifted. Her effort set the tone every time she rotated into the backcourt. ~<strong>Theresa @prepdigdakotas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br><strong>What I'm hoping to see this club season:</strong> Growth in out-of-system ball control, especially being the defender who can convert a tough dig into an in-system pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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 -->