Rounding Out North Dakota’s Top 10 Setters In The 2026 Class

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: digdakotas30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</a>   Being a setter is one of the most demanding roles in volleyball—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It's the position that requires sacrifice long before anyone is watching. Early reps, late-night film, endless footwork patterns, mastering tempo, fixing broken plays, and carrying the weight of every offensive decision. Setters don't just touch the ball more than anyone else on the court—they control the rhythm of the game, the trust of their hitters, and the heartbeat of their team.   This 2026 North Dakota group has embraced that pressure. They've sharpened their hands, strengthened their leadership, and pushed themselves through a year of massive growth. What we saw from them this past season was special—faster tempos, improved decision-making, cleaner location, stronger defensive reads, and a deeper understanding of how to win rallies when everything breaks down.   These eight setters round out the Top 10 with grit, skill, and a competitive fire that made them stand out in every gym we stepped into. Each has a unique style, a unique strength, and a unique impact on their team.   Here are the setters who closed out the 2026 class with authority:   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 3 – [player_tooltip player_id='744867' first='Taya' last='Ressler'] (Fargo Shanley)</h2>   Club: Freeze Volleyball   [player_tooltip player_id='744867' first='Taya' last='Ressler'] elevated her game this season in every measurable way. A natural leader with calm decision-making, Taya ran a fast and fluid offense for Fargo Shanley, using clean hands, quick release, and impressive ball placement to keep her hitters in rhythm. Her ability to run the middle in transition stood out—Taya consistently connected on quicks even off imperfect passes, a skill that only top setters can execute at a high level.   She improved significantly in reading the block, using that information to shift tempo and create one-on-ones for her pins. Defensively, Taya became stronger in pursuit and more disciplined in base positioning, keeping more rallies alive. Her year-to-year growth shows how much she invests in her craft. She's the type of setter who makes every teammate better.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 4 – [player_tooltip player_id='748390' first='Norah' last='Green'] (Bismarck Century)</h2>   Club: CVC   [player_tooltip player_id='748390' first='Norah' last='Green'] is a setter who thrives under pressure. This season, she showcased advanced decision-making—running a balanced offense, knowing when to speed up tempo, and when to slow the match to regain control. Norah's location tightened dramatically from last year; she put consistent, hittable balls to every pin, even when forced off the net.   Her competitiveness is unmistakable. Norah is vocal, demanding, and brings intensity to every touch. She improved her jump setting, especially in serve-receive, and became more offensive-minded with well-timed dumps and second-ball attacks. Add in stronger blocking reads and tougher service pressure, and it's clear why she climbed the rankings. Norah brings leadership that's impossible to miss.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 5 – [player_tooltip player_id='756200' first='Sophia' last='Heringer'] (Shiloh Christian)</h2>   Club: [program_tooltip program_id='897083' first='Green' last='Wave Volleyball Club'] Committed to the University of Mary   [player_tooltip player_id='756200' first='Sophia' last='Heringer'] plays the position with confidence, creativity, and a setter's brain built for the college game. Her connection with her hitters strengthened significantly this year, especially the tempo she ran with her outside hitters in transition. Sophia's hands are clean and consistent, and she does an excellent job disguising her location—holding defenders just long enough to free up her middles or back-row attackers.   Her defensive growth was a major storyline this season. Sophia dug with purpose, kept the ball high and controllable, and turned tough digs into transition opportunities. She also became more aggressive at the net, adding timely setter dumps and using her height to disrupt attackers. The University of Mary is getting a setter who already understands pace, spacing, and leadership at a high level.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 6 – [player_tooltip player_id='725017' first='Aspen' last='Roaldson'] (Bismarck)</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='725017' first='Aspen' last='Roaldson'] plays with a fast motor and an instinctive feel for the game. She made big strides in running tempo this year—tightening her placement, speeding up to the pins, and adding more variety in her second-touch options. Aspen's ability to square her hips late and still deliver a clean ball made her unpredictable for blocks and defenses.   One of her biggest areas of growth came in out-of-system setting. Aspen tracked down shanked passes, set with her platform when needed, and kept her hitters in swings instead of giving away free balls. She also developed into a smarter, more aggressive server, often targeting weak seams or forcing teams out of system. Aspen's competitiveness and work ethic shine through in every touch.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 7 – [player_tooltip player_id='915871' first='Abby' last='Fosland'] (Bismarck Century)</h2>   Committed to the University of Mary for Basketball   A multi-sport athlete with elite coordination and court awareness, [player_tooltip player_id='915871' first='Abby' last='Fosland'] showed impressive setter development this season. Her athleticism allows her to beat the ball off the floor, move into position quickly, and deliver in-system tempo even after long defensive rallies. Abby's jump setting improved significantly, allowing her offense to run faster and create more spacing.   What stands out most is how she steadies her team in tight moments. Abby communicates clearly, resets her hitters, and maintains composure when the match gets chaotic. She also became more effective in blocking and back-row defense, using her length and reactions to contribute on both sides of the rally. Even as a basketball commit, Abby made a powerful statement this year about her volleyball IQ and leadership.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 8 – [player_tooltip player_id='725010' first='Marley' last='Budeau'] (West Fargo Sheyenne)</h2>   Budeau has one of the cleanest touches in the 2026 setter class. When she stepped into the role this season, she delivered a smooth, consistent ball with strong body control, disciplined hands, and a calm presence that stabilized Sheyenne's offense. Her ability to find tempo in chaotic plays showed true setter IQ.   But Marley's greatest impact came in her leadership. She became the voice that grounded her team — keeping hitters confident, and communicating with purpose on and off the court. She brought maturity, connection, and a team-first mindset that elevated everyone around her.   This year, Budeau proved she's more than a setter; she's a culture-builder, and one of the most respected leaders in North Dakota's 2026 class.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 9 – [player_tooltip player_id='216064' first='Hannah' last='Gendron'] (Bismarck Legacy)</h2>   Club: Premier Volleyball   [player_tooltip player_id='216064' first='Hannah' last='Gendron'] is a setter with grit, touch, and exceptional volleyball IQ. She grew massively in her ability to run offensive tempo, connecting well with her middles and producing more one-on-one looks for her pins. Her hands were steady all season, even in broken play situations where she had to set from her knees, on the run, or off platform.   Her defensive improvements were eye-catching. Hannah became a stronger floor defender, reading cross-court hits and reacting quickly to tips and rolls. She's also a relentless hustler—one of the first setters we noticed consistently chasing down balls that looked unplayable. Her growth this season put her firmly inside the top 10.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 10 – [player_tooltip player_id='723033' first='Callie' last='Gienger'] (West Fargo)</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='723033' first='Callie' last='Gienger'] rounds out the top 10 with a season built on consistency and control. She plays the position with a calm, steady presence—never rattled, always in rhythm. Her set location improved significantly, giving her hitters clean opportunities in every rotation. Callie excels at simplifying the game: delivering hittable balls, keeping her middles involved, and making smart choices in high-pressure moments.   She made big strides in blocking and back-row defense this year, positioning herself better and contributing more in long rallies. Callie also developed a more aggressive serve, helping her team score in key stretches. Her reliability and maturity earned her this final spot in a competitive setter class.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">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.</h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">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!</h2>   This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.   Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman   Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas

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