IA 16 Finishes Perfect, Captures Gold in Chicago

<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>   I watched this group throughout the weekend at the Asics Junior National Volleyball Championship; I kept waiting to see if someone would slow them down. As the games went on, they just kept getting stronger and more comfortable. Breille and Olyvia made sure the team never looked rushed, and there was an excitement and confidence about this whole team that said they trusted each other.   When it was all said and done, IA 16 walked out of Chicago as Asics Junior National Volleyball Champions after putting together a perfect 9-0 weekend.   The final test came against RiseMKEVBC 16's National, but IA 16 never lost sight of what got them there. They controlled the championship match from the start and closed out the title with a 25-15, 25-14 victory. Different athletes stepped up at different times, and everyone seemed to understand exactly what their role was.   Vannessa Borr and [player_tooltip player_id='727991' first='Masiella' last='Kjelland'] were fun to watch on the outside this weekend. Neither one played with hesitation. If they got blocked or missed a swing, it didn't seem to bother them. They wanted the next ball and continued to be aggressive. I saw both of them find different ways to score, whether that was putting a ball away in system, finding open space, or making themselves available in transition. More than anything, I appreciated their confidence. They didn't shy away from big moments and kept applying pressure to opposing defenses from start to finish.   [player_tooltip player_id='743073' first='Lucy' last='Crace'] continued to impress from the right side. She played with confidence and attacked with purpose. Lucy understands that being an opposite is about more than getting kills. She stayed available in transition, took care of her blocking responsibilities, and found ways to score without forcing swings that weren't there. One thing I kept coming back to while watching Lucy was how composed she looked. She trusted her training, made good decisions, and looked comfortable doing her job no matter what the moment demanded.   One player who seemed to do a little bit of everything was Brielle Duppong. Whether she was setting the offense or contributing as an attacker, Brielle made an impact. Her versatility stood out, but so did her serve. Brielle's topspin serve was one of those things you noticed immediately. I found myself watching opposing passers brace for it because it consistently put teams on their heels. Opponents struggled to get clean first contacts, and more often than not, IA 16 had already gained an advantage before the rally had even developed.   Running the offense, [player_tooltip player_id='743641' first='Olyvia' last='Redekopp'] brought a calm confidence to the setter position. She distributed the ball well, kept hitters involved, and understood how to adjust when things weren't perfect. Watching Olyvia, I appreciated how steady she remained. You could tell her hitters trusted her. Even when the pass pulled her off the net, there wasn't panic. She found a way to make the next play work and continued to give her teammates opportunities to succeed.   In the middle, [player_tooltip player_id='728600' first='Adley' last='Matter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='752494' first='Michaela' last='McGrath'] handled one of the toughest jobs on the court. They were constantly moving from pin to pin to close blocks, taking away angles, and transitioning quickly into the offense. Their ability to establish the middle attack created opportunities for the pins and forced opponents to respect every option IA 16 had. Sometimes middles don't get enough credit because everyone notices the kills. But as I watched Adley and Michaela, I couldn't help but notice all the work they were doing between those moments. Closing blocks, creating touches, transitioning quickly, and making opponents think twice before attacking into them. Their impact was impossible to miss.   [player_tooltip player_id='739580' first='Annika' last='Farmen'] continued to show why versatility matters. I saw with her how engaged she remained throughout the match, constantly communicating what she was seeing, pointing out what was open, and reminding teammates what needed to be covered defensively. Those little moments of awareness and communication helped keep everyone connected.   The back row played a huge role in this championship run as well. [player_tooltip player_id='737126' first='Kiah' last='Jorvig'] anchored the defense and made difficult plays look routine. She covered the court well, delivered quality first contacts, and kept rallies alive when they looked all but over. There were multiple moments throughout the weekend when it looked like the point was finished, and somehow Kiah found a way to extend it.   Right alongside her, Ellie Floberg brought consistency and discipline. She stayed steady in serve receive, made smart defensive reads, and did the kind of work that helps teams win championships. Kiah and Ellie were the type of defenders every team wants behind them. They didn't chase recognition. They did their jobs, over and over again, and gave IA 16 the opportunity to turn defense into offense.   A perfect 9-0 weekend doesn't happen by accident. It takes trust, preparation, and players willing to embrace their roles. That's exactly what IA 16 did in Chicago. There were big swings, timely blocks, tough serves, and relentless defense, but more than anything, there was a team that genuinely played for each other.   By championship Sunday, it wasn't hard to understand why this group was still standing. They trusted each other. They celebrated the little moments, responded when challenged, and played with the belief that the next point would be theirs.   <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>   <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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