Statement Made: Day One’s Top Performers at NLQ

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 one definitely didn't disappoint.   The 8:00 a.m. wave is never easy. Alarms go off before sunrise. Bodies are still waking up. Minds have to lock in fast. But at a National Qualifier, there's no easing into the day. You're battling for national bids. You're fighting for position. You're competing with urgency from the very first whistle.   That means you have to be at your A-game immediately.   And these athletes were.   They stepped on the court with one mindset: deliver. High-efficiency swings. Relentless defensive effort. Smart shot selection. Composed play in tight sets. They didn't just compete — they produced. From serve receive to transition offense, they set the tone early and forced opponents to adjust.   Day one wasn't about warming up. *These are some of my top picks.*    Willtrace Ngoh | Middle Blocker | Committed to the University of Southern California   Competing in the AM wave, Willtrace Ngoh established herself immediately with her physical presence and efficiency at the net.   Offensively, she executed at a high level in first-tempo, running a fast, assertive quick that consistently stressed opposing middles. Her arm swing was both powerful and controlled, allowing her to terminate cleanly while also tooling the block when necessary. She showed strong awareness in transition, attacking seams and adjusting angles as defenses attempted to take away space.   At the net defensively, Ngoh displayed disciplined timing and firm hand positioning, sealing seams and forcing attackers into low-percentage swings. Her touches were controlled, creating valuable transition opportunities for her team.   What elevated her performance even further was her visible excitement after key plays. She celebrated with purpose — energizing her teammates, demanding momentum, and reinforcing her leadership presence. That competitive fire, paired with composure and execution, reflected both maturity and confidence.   A complete performance in the AM wave — physical, efficient, and fueled by competitive energy. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Ellyson Randolph | Outside Hitter | 6-Rotation | Committed to University of Kentucky   In the AM wave, Ellyson Randolph put together a performance that you genuinely appreciate when you understand how demanding the six-rotation role truly is.   She carried a heavy load and did it with poise.   Offensively, she was efficient and controlled, terminating in transition while mixing high hands, sharp cross-court angles, and smart seam swings. Her approach was repeatable and balanced, allowing her to generate pace without sacrificing vision. She didn't force swings — she earned points.   In serve receive, she was dependable and calm under pressure, delivering quality passes that kept her offense in system. That level of consistency early in the morning says a lot about her preparation and maturity.   Defensively, she extended rallies and transitioned quickly, showing the stamina and discipline required of a true six-rotation outside. After key plays, her energy was confident and uplifting — celebrating with teammates, reinforcing momentum, and leading with presence rather than emotion.   It was a performance you're proud to watch — complete, composed, and reflective of the standard she's built. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='567543' first='Lainey' last='Barrett'] | Middle Blocker | Committed to University of St. Thomas   In the AM wave, [player_tooltip player_id='567543' first='Lainey' last='Barrett'] delivered a steady, high-level performance that reflected both her physical tools and her growth as a middle.   Offensively, she was assertive in first-tempo, presenting early and giving her setter a consistent, reliable option in system. Her footwork into transition was efficient, allowing her to stay available play after play. She attacked with a strong, controlled arm swing and showed the ability to adjust her hand position when facing a well-formed block.   At the net defensively, Barrett did an excellent job reading the setter and closing space with disciplined timing. She sealed seams, forced tough angles, and created controlled touches that allowed her backcourt to convert in transition. Her block presence wasn't just about stats — it altered opposing hitters' decisions.   What stood out most was her composure and team-first energy. After big points, she celebrated with confidence and connection, reinforcing momentum without losing focus on the next rally.   A composed, physical, and reliable performance in the AM wave — one that shows she is prepared for the demands of the next level. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Evelyn Venters | Middle Blocker | Committed to University of Arkansas   Evelyn Venters brought a different kind of impact in the AM wave — calculated, disruptive, and relentless between rallies.   Rather than relying solely on raw power, she controlled tempo. She did an excellent job holding the opposing middle with her approach, creating one-on-one situations on the pins while still being a true scoring threat herself. When set, she attacked with purpose — quick arm, decisive swing path, and a clear understanding of blocker positioning.   Where she truly separated herself was in her reading ability. Venters anticipated well, closed blocks with precision, and used strong hand discipline to funnel attacks into her defense. Her lateral movement along the net was efficient, allowing her to stay involved in every phase rather than drifting out of plays.   She competed point-to-point with maturity. After big stops, her reactions were sharp and energizing — direct eye contact with teammates, quick resets, and immediate refocus. It was leadership through presence, not volume.   Her Day One performance was less about flash and more about control — dictating pace, creating advantages, and anchoring the middle with consistency. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Aaliyah Hjelmstad | Defensive Specialist   Aaliyah Hjelmstad made her mark in the AM wave with one of the most impactful serving performances of the day.   She wasn't just consistent from the service line — she was disruptive. Her serve location was intentional, targeting seams and forcing out-of-system passes that immediately limited offensive options. She showed excellent pace control, mixing deep, aggressive serves with well-placed short balls to keep passers off balance. Several key runs shifted momentum entirely in her team's favor.   Beyond the service line, Hjelmstad was composed in the backcourt, reading hitters well and controlling first contact. But her serving is what separated her. She understood score management, applied pressure at critical points, and maintained confidence without over-serving.   Point after point, she stepped back with purpose.   One of the top serving performances of Day One — controlled, strategic, and momentum-changing. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Aubrey Aday | Setter   In the AM wave, Aubrey Aday impacted the match with her motor and competitiveness.   Her hustle was constant. Whether it was sprinting to track down a tight pass, extending to keep a second contact alive, or resetting quickly after a scramble play, she refused to let a rally end easily. That urgency created extra transition opportunities and kept her offense available in chaotic moments.   As a setter, she did a strong job managing tempo and distributing the ball with purpose. She located pins in rhythm, delivered hittable balls in transition, and stayed composed when plays broke down. Her decision-making reflected awareness — understanding match flow and giving her attackers the best look possible.   What stood out most was her energy between rallies. She communicated, regrouped her hitters, and led with effort. Hustle can't be taught — and she brought it consistently.   A gritty, high-effort performance that elevated her side of the net. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Kensley Skifton | Middle Blocker   Competing up two divisions in the AM wave, Kensley Skifton showed poise well beyond her class year.   Physically, she did not look out of place. She ran first-tempo with confidence, presented early to the setter, and attacked decisively when given the opportunity. Her arm swing was aggressive, and she wasn't hesitant against older, more experienced blockers — she challenged them.   At the net defensively, she worked hard laterally, closing blocks and staying disciplined with her hands. Even when matched against stronger attackers, she competed point-for-point and stayed engaged in every rally.   What stood out most was her fearlessness. Playing up can expose hesitation — but Skifton leaned into the moment. She celebrated big points, stayed connected with teammates, and embraced the physicality of the division.   For a 2029 middle to step into that level and contribute speaks volumes about her trajectory. Confident. Competitive. Ahead of schedule. ~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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