Water Cooler Wednesday: What Coaches Are Telling Us

<figure class="wp-block-image alignright is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/03/image_9ce8ca.png" alt="" class="wp-image-955256" style="width:336px;height:auto" /></figure>   Use Code: digdakotas30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</a>   We are starting a new spin—bringing you real insight straight from college coaches, paired with players we see fitting that exact mold. This season has been as busy as ever, and any chance I get to step aside and soak in conversations with college coaches, I'm taking it. Across every level—NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA—each program has its own checklist. Different systems, different tempos, different positional needs. But despite those differences, one message continues to show up in every conversation.   They want players who can pass. And not just get the ball up—they want athletes who can deliver a clean, controlled first contact consistently.   Because at the end of the day, everything starts with that first touch.   Coaches aren't building offenses around chaos—they're building them around reliability. A clean first pass allows a setter to stay in system, hold tempo, and run a full offense. That means middles are available on quicks and slides, pins can stay fast to the antennas, and the defense on the other side has to honor every option. When that first contact breaks down, everything tightens. The setter is forced off the net, hitters are swinging high and predictable, and the block gets comfortable.   So what does a “clean pass” really mean at the next level?   It starts with footwork. Elite passers are always working to beat the ball to the spot—staying balanced, square, and under control. You'll see small, efficient shuffle steps, hips low, and shoulders angled to the target. There's no panic movement, no reaching late. Instead, it's early reads, controlled positioning, and an ability to adjust to float or topspin serves without losing platform integrity.   Then comes the platform. Strong passers create a consistent angle with their arms—firm, quiet, and disciplined. Hands are locked, thumbs even, and elbows extended to eliminate unnecessary movement. The best in the game don't “swing” at the ball—they absorb it. The contact point is out in front, allowing them to guide the ball rather than react to it. Platform angle does the work, not extra motion.   And finally—the finish. This is where high-level passers separate themselves. After contact, their body holds direction. They finish toward target, maintaining posture and balance rather than popping up or drifting off line. That controlled finish is what sends a true, hittable ball to the setter's window—right where it needs to be to keep tempo alive.   College coaches notice all of it. Not just the result, but how it happens.   They're watching how you move before the serve, how you communicate seams, how you handle tough serves under pressure, and whether your body language stays steady when you get tested. Can you pass a tough float serve in serve-receive and then turn around and deliver the same quality ball in transition? Can you anchor a rotation when teams start serving you on purpose?   Because that's what happens at the next level—you get targeted.   The athletes who separate themselves aren't always the flashiest hitters or the biggest blockers. They're the ones who bring stability. The ones who allow everything else to function. The ones who make the game easier for the players around them.   Clean first contact isn't just a skill—it's trust. And right now, across every level of college volleyball, that's one box every coach is trying to check.   Here are some picks that I feel checks those boxes for college coaches to track now:   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='789760' first='Harper' last='Andal'] (2029 | Sioux Falls Jefferson) [player_tooltip player_id='789760' first='Harper' last='Andal'] brings a calm, controlled presence in serve-receive, consistently beating the ball to her spot with efficient footwork and balance. Her platform stays quiet and disciplined, allowing her to deliver high-quality passes that keep her setter in rhythm. She stays composed when targeted and continues to produce clean first contact. Why coaches are tracking her: A steady, low-error passer who brings immediate stability to serve-receive systems.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='772746' first='Bergen' last='Kirsch'] (2029 | Washington) [player_tooltip player_id='772746' first='Bergen' last='Kirsch'] shows advanced read-and-react ability, tracking servers early and adjusting seamlessly to different serve types. She uses strong body positioning and shoulder angle to direct the ball cleanly to target, keeping her offense in system. Her confidence allows her to take control of passing lanes. Why coaches are tracking her: High IQ passer who can anchor a rotation and handle volume.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='884090' first='Evie' last='Pecoraro'] (2029 | Fargo North) [player_tooltip player_id='884090' first='Evie' last='Pecoraro'] stands out with her ability to control platform angles and absorb pace against aggressive serving. She keeps contact out in front and finishes through her line, consistently delivering a hittable ball. Her technical discipline shows up in high-pressure sequences. Why coaches are tracking her: Platform control and consistency translate directly to next-level systems.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='846387' first='Mya' last='Dannenfelzer'] (2029 | [program_tooltip program_id='430758' first='Mandan' last='']) [player_tooltip player_id='846387' first='Mya' last='Dannenfelzer'] brings grit and competitiveness to every first-contact rep, never backing down from tough serves. Her footwork keeps her balanced and square, even when pushed outside her base. She resets quickly and finds a way to keep the ball in system. Why coaches are tracking her: Competitive edge and resilience in serve-receive make her a difference-maker.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Kalli Huff (2028 | Aberdeen Central) Kalli Huff plays with strong platform discipline and a consistent base, minimizing unnecessary movement on contact. She uses her lower half well to control tempo and deliver clean passes to the setter's window. Her reliability allows offenses to stay fast and balanced. Why coaches are tracking her: Efficient, repeatable technique that supports tempo-driven offenses.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='877235' first='Laney' last='Sundsbak'] (2028 | Hazen) [player_tooltip player_id='877235' first='Laney' last='Sundsbak'] shows natural feel in serve-receive, reading ball flight early and positioning with purpose. Her platform remains firm and directional, allowing her to guide passes without overcorrection. She consistently gives her setter usable, in-system balls. Why coaches are tracking her: Natural passer with strong feel and consistency under pressure.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='738151' first='Flynn' last='Peterson'] (2030 | Vermillion) [player_tooltip player_id='738151' first='Flynn' last='Peterson'] plays beyond her years with clean footwork patterns and controlled first contact. She stays balanced and composed, even against more advanced serving. Her understanding of platform control and finish is already ahead of her class. Why coaches are tracking her: Early technical foundation with long-term projection upside.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='753590' first='Lyric' last='Otto'] (2028 | Lincoln) [player_tooltip player_id='753590' first='Lyric' last='Otto'] brings a high-motor presence, covering ground quickly and staying active between contacts. She adjusts platform angles on the move, turning imperfect situations into controlled passes. Her ability to extend plays keeps her team in system longer. Why coaches are tracking her: Range and adaptability make her valuable in dynamic serve-receive systems.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='943658' first='Nya' last='Davis'] (2028 | Bismarck) [player_tooltip player_id='943658' first='Nya' last='Davis'] combines athleticism with controlled technique, handling a wide range of serve speeds and placements. She stays disciplined through contact, finishing her platform toward target and limiting off-line passes. Her physical tools elevate her consistency. Why coaches are tracking her: Athletic passer with the tools to handle pace and pressure at higher levels.   <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>   Please help us continue to grow this positive platform for players by spreading the word and encouraging your friends to subscribe at PrepDig.com. With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!   This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman</h4>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</h3>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   If You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going 🔥 Players Use this article to grow. Take notes, study what makes others stand out, and apply it to your own journey. Want to take the next step? 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