Going Gauntlet Preview: Sky High Adidas 15 Elite

<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>   This is one of those groups you don't need a full match to understand.   A few rallies in, and you can feel how they play. The pace is there, the size is there, and the ball is coming out of the setter's hands clean. They transition quickly, they stay connected, and they don't need perfect volleyball to stay in control of a point. [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] Adidas 15 Elite is built to put pressure on teams, and they do it without looking rushed.   I saw it late in a third set where they just kept extending rallies. Nothing flashy, just controlled touches, staying in system, and waiting for the right swing. That's when it really stood out.   They've got pieces across the board, but what stands out more is how those pieces work together.   You can see it after a few rotations.   When the pass is on, they don't waste it. The setter is square, tempo is available, and now they're spreading the court instead of just pushing the ball outside. That forces the block to move, and once that happens, seams start to open.   It all starts with the setting.   [player_tooltip player_id='983459' first='Skylar' last='Haney'] | Setter At 6'3”, [player_tooltip player_id='983459' first='Skylar' last='Haney'] changes things. She's not just distributing, she's a front-row presence that has to be accounted for. She can run tempo, push the ball to either pin, and when she rotates front row, she becomes a scoring option. That forces blockers to hesitate, and that split second is where hitters get cleaner looks. The ball gets out, it's on time, and hitters are able to stay in rhythm. It just works.   [player_tooltip player_id='763379' first='Katie' last='Piech'] | Setter [player_tooltip player_id='763379' first='Katie' last='Piech'] gives them another look that keeps the offense from getting predictable. She reads the pass well and delivers hittable balls, especially when things aren't perfect. There's no panic. She settles the play, keeps the tempo under control, and allows hitters to stay aggressive.   When those two are working, the offense flows.   And that's where the pins start to make an impact.   [player_tooltip player_id='983458' first='Brynn' last='Hartman'] | Pin [player_tooltip player_id='983458' first='Brynn' last='Hartman'] is one you circle early and stay on. She plays with confidence and doesn't back off swings. Whether it's in system or out, she's comfortable taking aggressive contacts and working against a formed block. When the match tightens, she's still taking full swings and trusting her approach. That's the difference.   [player_tooltip player_id='761390' first='Reilly' last='Sutter'] | Pin [player_tooltip player_id='761390' first='Reilly' last='Sutter'] brings a steady presence to the outside and continues to stay available throughout rallies. She doesn't disappear when the ball isn't perfect. She keeps her approach clean, adjusts mid-play, and keeps the ball in play with purpose. Over time, that shows.   [player_tooltip player_id='758319' first='Juliette' last='Vegter'] | Pin [player_tooltip player_id='758319' first='Juliette' last='Vegter'] adds another dimension with her ability to mix pace and make reads. She's not just swinging hard. She's seeing the block, using off-speed when needed, and placing the ball where the defense isn't. That keeps her efficient.   [player_tooltip player_id='761497' first='Nina' last='Vonau'] | Pin [player_tooltip player_id='761497' first='Nina' last='Vonau'] gives them depth on the pins and continues to apply pressure as another scoring option. She stays aggressive and doesn't hesitate when she gets the opportunity. When you have multiple hitters willing to take swings, it forces teams to defend everything.   Through the middle, this team brings size and physicality.   Paige Pittman | Middle Paige Pittman continues to impact the match at the net. She's getting her hands across, closing space, and forcing hitters into tougher swings. It might not always show up as a block point, but it changes what hitters can do.   [player_tooltip player_id='761510' first='Elliana' last='Russell'] | Middle [player_tooltip player_id='761510' first='Elliana' last='Russell'] adds another presence in the middle and stays active beyond the first contact. She continues to move along the net, making herself available in transition, which holds the block longer and opens things up on the outside.   As matches go on, you start to see the middle group wear on teams.   They don't go away.   They stay involved, they stay active, and they continue to take up space.   In the back row, this is where they stay steady.   [player_tooltip player_id='546206' first='Romy' last='Fleegle'] | Defense [player_tooltip player_id='546206' first='Romy' last='Fleegle'] brings control to first contact. She gets to her spot early, keeps her platform clean, and delivers passes that allow the offense to run. Nothing extra, just consistent touches.   [player_tooltip player_id='761969' first='Reese' last='Newton'] | Defense [player_tooltip player_id='761969' first='Reese' last='Newton'] covers ground and reads the game well. She's not chasing balls, she's getting there early and staying balanced through contact. That allows her to extend rallies and keep the team in system.   That's really where this group separates.   They don't rush points.   They stay in them.   The ball gets dug, they reset, and they go again. There's patience there, but they're still applying pressure. They're just not forcing the end of the rally.   You can see it build.   A clean pass turns into a full offense. A block slows the next ball down. They reset and run it again. Another swing. Another dig.   It stacks.   And when it starts to stack, you can feel the shift.   At the net, the block is doing more than just getting up. They're taking away space. Hands are pressing across, seams are closing, and hitters are being forced into lower-percentage swings. That plays right into the defense behind it.   Heading into The Gauntlet, this is a team that's going to challenge others.   They've got size at setter, and it changes things. They've got multiple pin options who can score. They've got middles who are starting to take away space. And they've got a back row that keeps them in system.   Now it's about how they handle teams that can match that level.   What happens when they're pushed off the net more consistently? What happens when the block closes faster and takes away their first look?   Because that's what it turns into at this level.   They've got the pieces.   Now it's about doing it when the game tightens and the margin gets smaller.   For college coaches, this is a team you don't just watch for a few rallies.   Stay on the court.   Watch [player_tooltip player_id='983459' first='Skylar' last='Haney'] control tempo and create pressure from the front row. Watch [player_tooltip player_id='983458' first='Brynn' last='Hartman'] take big swings in big moments. Watch how the pin depth continues to apply pressure. Watch the middles stay active and close space. Watch how the back row keeps everything in system.   But more than anything, watch how they stay in rallies.   Because this isn't just a team that can score.   This is a team that makes you work for every point.~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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