Q and A’s From Top Liberos In The Dakotas: Get To Know Them Now

<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>   The back row is often where matches are won and lost, yet it can be one of the most overlooked areas when discussing impact players. The best defensive specialists and liberos do far more than pass and dig volleyballs. They communicate, organize the court, handle pressure, and provide the stability that allows teams to compete at a high level.   What stood out about this group wasn't just the defensive plays they made. It was the way they competed. They took ownership of serve receive, stayed engaged during long rallies, and consistently found ways to help their teams in critical moments. Those qualities don't always show up in a box score, but they often make the difference between winning and losing.   As June 15 approaches, college coaches continue evaluating athletes who can elevate a program both on and off the court. These are players who have caught my attention through their play, their leadership, and the consistency they bring every time they step onto the floor.    Why do you want to play college volleyball?    I love volleyball cause it's a very interactive game and everyone supports me and are always proud. I want to continue playing to grow my game and continue making my family and friends proud!!   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    In season everyday of practice lift 3-4 days a week. Off season privates 2/3 days a week and lift 4-5 days a week.   What are your academic interests or intended major?    Sports Broadcasting.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    Make sure to get my work done in class so when I'm not in school I can focus on sports and family… usually sports cause my family is always there when playing sports!   My Final Thoughts:   [player_tooltip player_id='727997' first='Baylor' last='Dinger'] is a player that has consistently proven she belongs in conversations about the top defensive athletes in her class. The more I watch her, the more I appreciate how much ground she covers and how comfortable she looks handling pressure. She reads hitters well, stays balanced through contact, and gives her team confidence knowing the back row is in good hands.   What separates Baylor is not just her defensive skill set. It is the way she approaches the game every day. She leads by example, competes at a high level, and brings an energy that teammates naturally respond to. Coaches are always looking for athletes who raise the standard in the gym, and Baylor does exactly that. The work ethic is real, and it shows in her development. She is often one of the first players in the gym and one of the last to leave, constantly looking for ways to improve.   For college coaches, Baylor offers far more than strong defensive play. She brings leadership, consistency, volleyball IQ, and a competitive drive that impacts everyone around her. June 15 may be an important date on the recruiting calendar, but Baylor has already shown she belongs in those conversations. She is the type of player coaches remember because of the way she competes, the way she leads, and the standard she sets every time she steps on the court.~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@BaylorDinger2028">https://www.youtube.com/@BaylorDinger2028</a>     Why do you want to play college volleyball?    Because it's been a dream of mine since I can remember.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    In-season I have practice 3 times a week and lifting twice a week. Off season is when school ball starts so it's practice everyday and lift 3 times a week.   What are your academic interests or intended major?    Dental Hygiene   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    Looking at it all with a certain perspective knowing that all things will pay off.   My Final Thoughts:   [player_tooltip player_id='799510' first='Tenley' last='Witzel'] is a player that never seems rushed, regardless of what is happening around her. Throughout a match, she stays under control, reads the court well, and consistently puts herself in position to make quality defensive plays. When the pace picks up and rallies extend, she continues to trust her platform and make the type of contacts that keep her team in system.   One thing that stands out about Tenley is her consistency. There are players who make the spectacular play every once in a while, and then there are players who make the right play over and over again. Tenley falls into that second category. She covers ground well, stays engaged throughout the match, and brings a level of reliability that coaches appreciate in the back row.   The longer I watch Tenley compete, the more I understand the value she brings to a lineup. She gives her team stability, competes for every ball, and doesn't back away from difficult moments. Those qualities are a big reason she continues to separate herself and why college coaches should know her name heading into June 15.~Theresa@prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20137613/Tenley-Witzel">https://www.hudl.com/profile/20137613/Tenley-Witzel</a>     Why do you want to play college volleyball?    I want to play in college, not only because I love the sport, but to build and maintain life-long relationships.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    I have a workout program that I take part in about 2-3 times a week year round with school volleyball and basketball camps in the summer, season in fall/winter, and club season following(while also playing basketball in the winter)   What are your academic interests or intended major?    Pharmacy-either biology or chemistry major.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    I prioritize school, but I engage with others through the sports I play as well as in my free time.   My Final Thoughts:   [player_tooltip player_id='807759' first='Brooklyn' last='Bogenreif'] is one of those players who continues to show her value in multiple ways. While many athletes become known for one role, Brooklyn has proven she can impact a match both in the back row and as an outside hitter. That versatility immediately stands out because it allows her team to keep her involved in a variety of situations throughout a match.   Defensively, Brooklyn does a great job reading hitters, staying composed under pressure, and delivering quality first contacts. She covers the court well, stays balanced, and consistently puts herself in position to keep rallies alive. What I continue to notice, though, is that she is just as strong when asked to contribute offensively. She is comfortable attacking, stays available throughout rallies, and competes for points with confidence.   What keeps bringing me back to Brooklyn is that she doesn't fit neatly into one category. She can help stabilize the back row, but she's also capable of creating offense from the pin. That's not something every player can do. Her ability to contribute in multiple roles gives coaches flexibility and makes her a player worth paying attention to. The game continues to reward athletes who can do more than one thing well, and Brooklyn has shown she can impact a match in several different ways.~Theresa@prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Qr3Aq">http://www.hudl.com/v/2Qr3Aq</a>     Why do you want to play college volleyball?    I want to play in college because volleyball has always been a big part of my life and being able to take it to the next level and play in college has always been a dream especially because both my parents played sports in college.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    In season I have practice 1-3 times a a week as well as lifting at least 2 days a week and tournaments just about every weekend for club ball and for high school practice or games everyday with 1-2 tournaments, with lifting class or lifting twice a week with one day of yoga in the mornings.   What are your academic interests or intended major?    I am interested in either going into the medical field like PT, nurse or dermatologist or major in business.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    It gets difficult during times but i think telling myself to jot procrastinate things helps and just to get things done right away and utilize spartan period which is where you go in early before school starts to get extra help with school.   My Final Thoughts:   [player_tooltip player_id='728653' first='Gretchen' last='Snowden'] is a player that continually finds ways to keep her team in rallies. What stood out to me was her ability to handle difficult contacts and stay composed when points became extended. She doesn't panic when the game speeds up. Instead, she stays under control, trusts her platform, and works to give her team quality first contacts that keep the offense available.   The thing that keeps standing out is how hard she competes for every ball. Whether it's covering extra court, chasing down a tough touch, or stepping into a serve receive responsibility, Gretchen approaches every point with the same mindset. She doesn't take plays off, and that consistency helps bring stability to the back row. Teammates know what they're going to get from her, and that's a valuable quality to have on the court.   What stands out about Gretchen's leadership is that it shows up every rally. She communicates, stays engaged, and brings a steady presence that teammates can rely on during critical moments. As matches get tighter, she remains composed and continues doing the little things that help teams win. Players who can be trusted in those moments become incredibly valuable, and Gretchen continues to show those qualities every time she steps on the court.~Theresa@prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22867840/Gretchen-Snowden">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22867840/Gretchen-Snowden</a>     Why do you want to play college volleyball?    I want to continue to play college volleyball so I can further my accomplishments in volleyball, meet new teamates, and continue playing the sport that I love.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    During season my training schedule consists of practices everyday, weekly matches, and some weekend tournaments. During off season my training schedule includes morning pheasant power program, open gyms, a team matchbox league, team camps, and working out by running and lifting on my own. I also enjoy volunteering with our youth volleyball programs.   What are your academic interests or intended major?    My academic interests would be something pertaining to health care or a sports medicine field.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    I balance my life by trying to get my schoolwork done throughout the day, so I dont have to worry about it later. To be able to focus on my after schools sport for that season. Then any time I have left I try to spend with my family and friends.   My Final Thoughts:   [player_tooltip player_id='795396' first='Katryn' last='Evans'] is a player that competes with confidence and brings a steady presence to the court. Throughout matches, she does a good job staying composed under pressure and consistently works to keep her team in system. Whether she's handling serve receive, digging tough attacks, or stepping into critical defensive situations, she approaches each contact with purpose and confidence.   One thing that continued to stand out to me was her willingness to embrace difficult moments. When rallies extended or momentum started to shift, Katryn remained engaged and continued competing at a high level. She trusts her training, communicates well with teammates, and gives consistent effort from the first point to the last. Those are qualities that become increasingly important as competition gets tougher.   What separates Katryn is her competitive mindset. She doesn't shy away from responsibility, and she continues to find ways to contribute when her team needs her most. Coaches value athletes who can be trusted in important moments, and Katryn has shown that ability time and time again. Her consistency, competitiveness, and willingness to take on challenges make her a player worth knowing as recruiting conversations continue to develop.~Theresa@prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: N/A    <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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