January Thaw Day One: High-Efficiency Performers Who Delivered

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>   By the time the afternoon matches rolled around, the gym was fully alive — energy louder, rallies longer, and adjustments sharper. There's no easing into a second wave. You've watched the morning results. You know what's at stake. Now it's about execution.   January Thaw Day One wasn't about flashy moments — it was about efficiency.   High contact points. Smart shot selection. Disciplined blocking assignments. Aggressive serving with purpose. The athletes who separated themselves in this wave didn't just put up numbers — they produced in the right moments. They converted in transition, managed out-of-system swings, and applied consistent pressure from the service line.   When sets tightened late, they stayed composed. Who were they?    [player_tooltip player_id='745942' first='Lila' last='Pladson'] brought steady production and competitive poise to the PM wave, impacting the match in every rotation. Offensively, she attacked with confidence, taking decisive swings in transition and handling high-ball situations with composure. Her approach allowed her to stay balanced and available, and she showed the ability to find points through sharp cross-court shots and controlled seam swings when the block took away angles.   In the back row, she embraced her six-rotation role with discipline and consistency. She managed serve receive responsibilities with a quiet confidence and stayed engaged defensively, extending rallies and transitioning quickly to offense. What stood out most was her steady intensity — point after point, she competed with purpose and elevated when momentum mattered. A reliable, complete outside who plays with strength and presence. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='747088' first='Norah' last='Allerdings'] brought a dynamic edge to the PM wave with her ability to score from the pins in multiple situations. She attacked with pace and confidence, showing a strong, aggressive approach that allowed her to elevate and swing high over the block. In transition, she was decisive — no hesitation, just clean arm speed and purposeful shot selection. When faced with a well-formed block, she adjusted, using the edges and attacking deep seams to keep defenses honest.   Beyond her offense, Allerdings competed with urgency. She worked hard to stay available in out-of-system rallies and embraced the physicality at the net. Her ability to terminate in key stretches shifted momentum and gave her side stability when points extended. A confident, production-focused pin who applies pressure and forces opponents to defend every swing. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Known for her defensive IQ, [player_tooltip player_id='728442' first='Shea' last='Olson'] expanded her impact in the PM wave with a complete six-rotation performance that demanded attention. Her ability to read hitters and anticipate play development has always separated her in the backcourt, but today she translated that same court awareness into a confident, assertive presence on the pins. In transition, she took aggressive swings, managing high-ball situations with composure and smart shot selection.   What stood out most was her willingness to embrace the full workload. She did not shy away from serve receive responsibility, stayed disciplined with her platform angles, and remained vocal in defensive organization. Offensively, she attacked with purpose and refused to back down from physical matchups at the net. It was a confident, competitive showing that highlighted both her intelligence and her versatility — a defensive standout proving she can impact the match in all six rotations. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Reese Majerus delivered one of the most controlled and efficient performances of the PM wave. Calm in demeanor but lethal in production, she managed the match with maturity well beyond her years. In-system, she attacked with a high contact point and clean arm swing, showing the ability to score sharp cross-court, tool high hands, and roll to deep zones when the block sealed. Her approach was balanced and repeatable, allowing her to maintain tempo deep into long rallies. She didn't take wasted swings — she terminated with intention.   As a true six-rotation outside, her value extended well beyond offense. She was composed in serve receive, consistently providing a stable platform and keeping her offense in rhythm. Defensively, she read hitters well, dug with control, and transitioned quickly to become an offensive option. There was no panic in her game — just steady, high-efficiency execution. College coaches looking for a composed, complete outside who can produce without needing constant volume should make a point to get to her court. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='745913' first='Kendal' last='Ray'] continues to elevate her game, and her PM wave performance reflected a player pushing into top-tier consideration. She is becoming a legitimate factor in the conversation to break into the Top 10 — and today showed exactly why.   Her attacks were calculated and efficient. Rather than forcing swings, she scored with precision — sharp angles, deep corner placement, and smart use of the block when defenders loaded cross-court. Her vision stood out. She read the defense before contact and placed the ball with purpose, keeping backcourts shifting and uncomfortable. As her confidence continues to grow, so does her production. This was a composed, high-IQ performance that signals upward trajectory. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Aspen Mullally made her presence known at the net in the PM wave with a middle's mindset and a scorer's finish. Running first-tempo, she was explosive off the floor and contacted high, allowing her to attack sharp deep corners with both pace and control. Her ability to stay on top of the ball while directing it to zones 1 and 5 forced backcourts to defend end line to end line. When in system, she was a reliable scoring option who converted efficiently.   Defensively, Mullally worked laterally to close blocks and showed disciplined hand positioning, taking away seams and influencing swing paths. She did a strong job transitioning from block to attack, staying available and engaged rally after rally. Her combination of tempo, power, and corner placement made her a constant factor in the middle. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Ellyssa Holmberg competed with grit and determination in the PM wave, embracing every matchup at the net. She worked relentlessly in transition, staying available for first-tempo and giving her setter a consistent option rally after rally. When set, she attacked with conviction — strong arm swing, decisive contact, and a willingness to challenge established blockers head-on.   Defensively, Holmberg did not shy away from physical battles against high-level competition. She closed blocks with urgency, pressed over the net, and stayed disciplined in her assignments. What stood out most was her competitiveness — she leaned into tough rotations, stayed vocal, and refused to give ground. Against some of the best of the best, she proved she belongs in that conversation. ~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

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: digdakotas30 in the coupon code area