Going Gauntlet Preview: MKE Sting 16 Black

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">This article was shared with 150+ college coaches. Join PrepDig with 30% off using code: digdakotas30</a>   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</a>   MKE Sting 16 Black is at that point in the season where it is no longer about proving anything. They have already earned their bid to USAV Nationals. Now it is about tightening things up and getting ready for the level they are about to step into.   You can see it in how they play. There is not a lot of wasted movement. When the pass is there, they run their offense. When it is not, they stay in the rally and find another way to keep the point alive. That ability to stay steady from first contact through the finish is what keeps them in matches.   It starts at the net.   Charlotte Babcock-Laffin, [player_tooltip player_id='734114' first='Sara' last='Fettig'], [player_tooltip player_id='545520' first='Riley' last='Gizelar'], and [player_tooltip player_id='819186' first='Sophia' last='John'] give them a strong presence through the middle. They are not just running quicks and getting out. They stay active, they move along the net, and they make hitters work. You can see them closing space better and getting their hands across instead of leaving gaps. That alone starts to change how teams attack.   Charlotte Babcock-Laffin keeps the middle involved and stays available in transition, which prevents defenses from drifting outside. [player_tooltip player_id='734114' first='Sara' last='Fettig'] brings a physical edge and continues to clean up her block, forcing hitters to adjust. [player_tooltip player_id='545520' first='Riley' last='Gizelar'] stays engaged and puts pressure on the setter by being active and ready at the net. [player_tooltip player_id='819186' first='Sophia' last='John'] adds depth and gives them another option that holds up on both sides of the ball.   On the pins, there are multiple options, and that is where things start to build.   [player_tooltip player_id='545511' first='Angelina' last='Dorow'] stays aggressive and is comfortable taking swings when she is in rhythm. [player_tooltip player_id='545507' first='Julia' last='Krueger'] brings control and does a good job working around the block instead of trying to force everything through it. [player_tooltip player_id='837628' first='Sadie' last='Kunes'] stays involved and continues to be an option in longer rallies, which matters when the point does not end on the first swing.   [player_tooltip player_id='917959' first='Violet' last='Motz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='545524' first='Brooke' last='Umbarger'] add even more depth to that group. Both are capable of handling out-of-system balls and still giving the team a chance to stay in the rally. When the set is not perfect, they are not giving away points. They are keeping the ball in play and letting the team reset.   [player_tooltip player_id='587050' first='Brooklyn' last='Hughes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='918468' first='Allie' last='Sobocinski'] run the offense and keep everything moving. They do not try to force plays that are not there. They read the pass, deliver hittable balls, and keep the tempo where it needs to be. When the pass is clean, they will spread the offense and make blockers move. When it is not, they settle things down and keep the team in the point.   That balance is what keeps the offense from breaking down.   In the back row, [player_tooltip player_id='545501' first='Marley' last='Connor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='545504' first='Juliet' last='Newton'] handle first contact and set the tone for everything else. They keep their platform angles clean and do not overplay the ball. That consistency allows the offense to run instead of scrambling.   Defensively, they are not chasing plays. They are getting into position early and keeping the ball in front of them. That is where rallies extend and give them another chance to score.   This is a team that stays in points. The ball gets dug, they reset, and they go again. There is not a rush to end the rally. They stay patient and wait for a better opportunity. Over the course of a match, that starts to wear teams down.   You start to see it in the flow of the game. One good pass turns into a clean swing. A block slows the ball down. A dig keeps the rally alive. Then they get another swing. It builds.   At the net, the block and defense are starting to work together more. They are taking away space and giving themselves chances to transition instead of scrambling for the next touch.   And when they get into a rhythm, it shows. The ball moves clean. The offense stays balanced. They start to string points together without forcing anything. It is not one big play. It is a series of them.   Heading into The Gauntlet, this is where things matter.   They are going to see teams that can push them out of system more often. They are going to see teams that match their size and tempo. That is where you find out how steady you really are.   This group already knows they can compete. Now it is about doing it consistently against stronger competition.   If you are watching them, pay attention to the plays that are not perfect. Watch how they handle the second and third contact in a rally. Watch how they stay in points instead of giving them away.   That is where the difference shows!   They are not chasing anything right now!   They are getting ready for what is next! ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">In Case You Missed It</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://prepdig.com/dakotas/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/05/image_5b1fa1.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-987083" /></a></figure>

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