Day Two Evaluations: Who Delivered At NLQ And Jan. Thaw

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>   Day 2 inside the Convention Center was a true test of competitive endurance.   Matchups tightened. Teams were paired with programs that forced adjustments, exposed weaknesses, and demanded precision. By this point in a qualifier, legs are heavy, recovery is limited, and mental fatigue is real. This is where depth, discipline, and composure separate contenders from competitors.   Teams were pushed to their limits — and plays were made.   Long rallies turned on block touches. Servers applied pressure at critical scores. High-ball swings in out-of-system moments carried more weight. The margin was thinner, and the athletes who stayed efficient under strain elevated themselves.   Because Day 2 isn't always defined by wins and losses.   It's defined by impact.   So who caught our attention?    [player_tooltip player_id='740077' first='Sydney' last='Zeis'] commanded Day 2 with presence and precision. From the sidelines, what stood out immediately was her control of tempo. She didn't just distribute — she orchestrated. Zeis located her pins with consistent height and rhythm, allowing hitters to stay aggressive without forcing swings. In-system, she ran a balanced offense, mixing tempo between first contact and transition while keeping blockers guessing. Her decision-making in out-of-system moments was especially sharp, delivering hittable balls under pressure and minimizing chaos.   Beyond the technical execution, she brought contagious energy. After big points, she was vocal, direct, and intentional — pulling hitters in, reinforcing assignments, and resetting focus. She understood when to speed the game up and when to settle it down. That ability to control both the emotional tone and offensive rhythm of her side is what separated her on Day 2. A setter who competes with fire but thinks the game at a high level. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='828350' first='Reilly' last='Bryant'] made her impact felt at the net on Day 2 with disciplined, physical blocking that changed the rhythm of rallies. From the sidelines, her timing stood out — she was patient on her load, explosive on her press, and intentional with her hand positioning. She sealed seams effectively and took away high-percentage angles, forcing opposing attackers to adjust mid-swing. Even when she didn't record the stuff block, her touches were controlled and disruptive, allowing her defense to convert in transition.   What continues to separate Bryant is her work rate. She closes relentlessly from pin to pin, resets quickly in transition, and competes through long rallies without drop-off. Her motor at the net is constant — tracking the setter, communicating blocking assignments, and staying engaged point after point. On Day 2, her blocking wasn't just solid — it was tone-setting. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='745307' first='Brooklyn' last='Pudwill'] was a physical presence on Day 2, and it started with her explosiveness. Her vertical allowed her to contact high and attack aggressively from the right side, giving her clean angles both cross-court and deep seam. In transition, she was quick off the floor and decisive with her arm swing, putting consistent pressure on opposing defenses. When set in rhythm, she was difficult to contain.   Defensively, she was just as impactful. Pudwill was aggressive closing her block against opposing outsides, sealing line and pressing over with strong hands. She didn't just get touches — she shut down angles and forced low-percentage swings. Her combination of elevation, physicality, and assertiveness at the net made her a two-way threat and a true right-side difference maker. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='532491' first='Delaney' last='Spaulding'] delivered one heck of a performance on Day 2. After sustaining an injury in the first match, she returned to the court with even greater intensity — and never let the moment shift her focus. From the sidelines, you could feel the lift she gave her team. Her presence alone reset the tone.   Defensively, she was outstanding. Spaulding read hitters early, filled seams with precision, and controlled digs to target, allowing her offense to stay in rhythm. Her coverage behind the block was disciplined and relentless, keeping rallies alive in high-pressure sequences. She competed through every ball, every scramble, every extended rally — without hesitation.   The resilience. The fight. The energy.   An uncommitted libero who elevates a team physically and emotionally the way she did today is one college programs need to see in person. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Kyra Welch separated herself on Day 2 with her explosiveness in first-tempo and her ability to finish plays decisively. She was quick off the floor, presenting early to the setter and attacking at a high contact point that allowed her to stay aggressive. In transition, she stayed available and ready, giving her offense a reliable scoring option rally after rally.   What stood out most were her corner attacks. When the block tried to take away space in front, Welch confidently drove the ball deep to zones 1 and 5 with pace and control. Those sharp, well-placed finishes stretched the defense and created scoring separation. It was an assertive, high-level offensive performance that kept pressure squarely in the middle of the net. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='784850' first='Aubrey' last='Tysver'] put together a steady and dependable performance on Day 2, anchoring the backcourt with consistency. She read hitters well and positioned herself early, allowing her to control digs rather than just react to them. Her platform angles were clean, and she delivered quality first contact that kept her team in system and able to run their offense efficiently.   In serve receive, she was composed and disciplined, staying balanced and confident under pressure. Tysver communicated effectively, helped organize the defense, and embraced long rallies without hesitation. It was a solid, reliable showing that highlighted her value as a backcourt stabilizer. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='744477' first='Finley' last='Fettig'] delivered a commanding performance on Day 2, establishing herself as a true presence in the middle. From the sidelines, her tempo stood out immediately — she was quick off the floor in first-tempo and consistently available in transition. Her arm swing was decisive and heavy, allowing her to terminate cleanly when in system. She attacked seams with confidence and showed the ability to adjust mid-air, keeping blockers guessing.   At the net defensively, Fettig altered the flow of rallies. She tracked the setter well, closed blocks with urgency, and pressed over with disciplined hands to take away high-percentage angles. Even when the play extended, her motor didn't drop — she reset quickly and stayed engaged point after point. It was a high-impact, physical performance that reflected both preparation and competitive edge. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='748841' first='Alba' last='Thao'] was a difference-maker in the backcourt on Day 2, elevating her team's defensive presence with anticipation and control. From the sidelines, her first step stood out — she read hitters early, positioned with purpose, and consistently beat the ball to the spot. Her digs weren't just reactive touches; they were controlled, target-driven passes that allowed her team to convert in transition.   In serve receive, Thao was composed and technically sound, holding her platform through contact and managing pace with confidence. She communicated effectively, adjusted coverage, and embraced extended rallies without hesitation. Her defensive consistency created stability behind the block and kept her team in rhythm throughout the match. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='746629' first='Sierra' last='Blotsky'] stood out on Day 2 with her willingness to stretch the floor and diversify the offense. She wasn't predictable. From the sidelines, you could see her actively reading the block and adjusting tempo — pushing pace to the pins, running quick tempo in the middle, and mixing in off-speed routes to keep defenders unsettled. She showed confidence in distributing across all zones, making sure the block could not key in on one hitter.   What separated her was her fearlessness in play-calling. She wasn't hesitant to run different routes in tight moments or trust her middles in transition. Even out-of-system, she delivered hittable balls with controlled location, giving her attackers a chance to score. It was an assertive, creative setting performance that demonstrated command and offensive awareness. ~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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