The 2026 North Dakota Rankings: A Class Built Different-Part One

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>   The 2026 North Dakota class isn't just loaded with talent—it's built on grit, loyalty, and a standard of excellence that never wavered. Every athlete in this group is committed, not just to a college program, but to the game that shaped them. They've earned their spots through early mornings, bruised knees, long road trips, and the kind of internal drive you can't coach.   What sets this class apart isn't only their skill level—though that alone is impressive—it's the presence they bring both on and off the court. These players are leaders in huddles, steady voices in chaos, and the ones who lift others higher when the match tightens. They've been the tone-setters, the culture carriers, the ones who understood that greatness is never accidental.   We've watched them dominate club seasons, elevate their school programs, and perform when the lights were the brightest. But we've also watched how they treat teammates, how they respond when they're not in the spotlight, and how they represent their communities with pride. That's the part that stays with you.   The 2026 North Dakota class didn't just rise—they transformed the level of volleyball in the state. Their legacy is more than stats, more than highlight clips, more than rankings. It's heart. It's humility. It's leadership. It's the rare combination of talent and character that makes people say: that's someone I'd want in my locker room.    **[player_tooltip player_id='725009' first='Alexis' last='Heinle'] — No. 1 Middle & No. 1 Overall   St. Cloud State University Commit**   [player_tooltip player_id='725009' first='Alexis' last='Heinle'] didn't just dominate the middle—she redefined it. The top-ranked player in North Dakota's 2026 class carried herself with a presence few athletes ever reach. At 6'2” with elite explosiveness, Heinle controlled matches with a combination of timing, footwork, and blocking discipline that separated her from every other middle in the state. Her ability to close seams, press over smaller attackers, and track hitters in transition made her the most disruptive defensive force in North Dakota high school volleyball this season.   Offensively, Heinle was a nightmare for opposing coaches. She ran the quick, slide, and push with equal confidence, elevating above the block and hitting with a terminal point mentality. Her ability to score out of both front-row rotations and to transition from block to attack with speed made her an anchor in every offensive system she touched. But what truly set her apart was her leadership. Heinle was the voice in the huddle, the calm in tight sets, and the senior who brought younger players along with her.   St. Cloud State isn't just getting a strong middle—they're getting a program changer. One who leads with humility, competes with fire, and makes every teammate better. [player_tooltip player_id='725009' first='Alexis' last='Heinle'] earned the No. 1 spot because she earned the respect of everyone who watched her play.~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     **[player_tooltip player_id='203420' first='Raina' last='Chwialkowski'] — No. 1 Libero   University of Maryland Commit**   There's quick, and then there's the way [player_tooltip player_id='203420' first='Raina' last='Chwialkowski'] reads the game. The No. 1 libero in North Dakota, Chwialkowski anchored her team with first-contact consistency that never wavered. Her platform is clean, quiet, and efficient—exactly what you expect from a high-major Big Ten defensive specialist. She controls serve-receive angles with confidence, steps into high-velocity balls without flinching, and turns broken plays into perfect out-of-system passes.   Her defensive range was unmatched this season. Chwialkowski covers the entire backcourt with purpose: reading arm swings, baiting hitters into off-speed shots, and laying out for balls most players wouldn't even chase. She was the heartbeat of her program, the communicator who built trust in every rotation, and the leader who stabilized her team when momentum wavered.   Maryland is getting a libero who plays far beyond her age—steady, mature, and fearless. A defensive anchor who understands that greatness starts with ball control. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     **[player_tooltip player_id='722412' first='Ellee' last='McIntosh'] — No. 2 Middle   University of North Dakota Commit**   This season, [player_tooltip player_id='722412' first='Ellee' last='McIntosh'] proved that labels don't define her—work ethic and versatility do. Listed as a middle, McIntosh stepped into multiple roles and excelled in every one of them. Her growth from elite middle blocker to a true six-rotation threat showcased her athletic IQ and adaptability. She terminated on the slide and quick, yes—but she also showed she could swing from the pin with range, elevate in high-ball situations, and extend rallies with gritty back-row defense.   Her blocking is still one of her greatest weapons. McIntosh reads setters well, adjusts her footwork mid-play, and seals the net with strong hands and disciplined hip positioning. But she also earned attention this year for her out-of-system attacking, her ability to tool the block, and her serve-receive steadiness—skills rarely seen in a middle at her level.   UND is getting a hybrid-athlete with the work ethic of someone who never settles. McIntosh proved this year that she's more than a middle—she's a competitor who fits wherever her team needs her most. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     **[player_tooltip player_id='748825' first='Mackenzie' last='Dufner'] — No. 1 Setter   University of North Dakota Commit**   A setter's role is simple: run the offense, manage the match, and elevate everyone around you. [player_tooltip player_id='748825' first='Mackenzie' last='Dufner'] did all three at a level unmatched in the 2026 class. Her hands are crisp, clean, and calm under pressure—she delivers tempo precisely, whether it's a quick to the middle, a wide push to the pin, or a perfectly disguised back set.   Dufner's court vision was her superpower this year. She manipulated blocks, held middles long enough to free her outsides, and made fearless decisions in tight moments. Her ability to run a fast offense in transition showcased not only her technique but also her confidence in her hitters. And defensively, she contributed far beyond expectations—reading tips early, covering with intent, and digging hard-driven balls with setter poise.   As a senior, she became the engine of her team. Steady. Vocal. Composed. She never played small in big moments, and that's why UND is getting a setter who doesn't just distribute the ball—she runs the court like a veteran. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     **[player_tooltip player_id='722410' first='Cora' last='Metcalf'] — No. 1 Right Side & Blocker   University of Omaha Commit**   Right sides don't always get the spotlight—unless they're as dominant as [player_tooltip player_id='722410' first='Cora' last='Metcalf']. The top-ranked right side in North Dakota, Metcalf impacted the game on both sides of the net with a presence that demanded attention. She is one of the strongest left-front blockers the state produced, consistently shutting down the opponent's top hitters with disciplined lateral movement and fast hands over the net.   Offensively, Metcalf's arm is heavy, but it's her shot selection that matured most this season. She can hit the deep seam, tool the outside hand, or go high off the block when needed. Her ability to score out of system became a lifeline for her team in tight rotations. She also defended the right-back position with confidence, proving that she's more than a scorer—she's a complete rotational threat.   Omaha is getting a right side who understands the responsibility of her role: protect the court, shut down the opponent's best, and deliver points when it matters. Metcalf did all of that and more as a senior leader. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas    <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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