Q and A’s From Top Pins 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>   Pin hitters often receive attention for what they do above the net, but there is always more to the story than what happens during a match. Behind every athlete is a journey filled with goals, challenges, lessons learned, and the people who helped shape them along the way.   The Dakotas continue to produce talented pin hitters who are making names for themselves at the state, regional, and national levels. While their performances on the court have earned attention, this is an opportunity to learn more about who they are beyond the box score.   In this Q&A series, we asked some of the top pins in the Dakotas to share more about themselves, their volleyball journeys, what motivates them, and what they hope to accomplish moving forward. If you have followed their success on the court, now is your chance to get to know the people behind the player. College Coaches, June 15th is right around the Corner and each one of these players should be on your contact list.    Why do you want to play college volleyball?    I want to be able to grow in both the physical and mental aspects of volleyball, and do that while playing the sport that I love.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    In season for club we have practice 2 times a week, and I will work out with my trainer 2 times a week also. In season during school ball , we have practice everyday after school and I try and work out 2 times a week also. Off season I work out 3 times a week and have lots of camps and do privates as well.   What are your academic interests or intended major?    Some of my academic interest is sports medicine, working towards being a athletic trainer.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    How I balance school, sports, and personal life is really just having a set schedule. Having a set schedule really just helps me meditate all of my priorities first so then later I can have some down time or hang out with my friends.   My Final Thoughts:   If there is a player whose name keeps coming up more and more in conversations, it is [player_tooltip player_id='745913' first='Kendal' last='Ray']. The biggest difference between the Kendal I watched a year ago and the player I see today is confidence. She looks like an athlete who understands exactly who she is on the court and plays with a belief that shows up in every phase of the match. Her rise has not happened by accident. She has continued to develop while competing in successful club and high school environments, and the results are showing. What makes Kendal especially intriguing is the athleticism she brings to the pin. Her track background is evident in the way she moves, jumps, and covers ground. The more I watch her, the more it feels like she is just getting started. As June 15 approaches, Kendal is the type of athlete college coaches should make a priority because her trajectory is moving in the right direction, and quickly.~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: <a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/north-dakota/west-fargo/west-fargo-sheyenne/kendal-ray1">https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/north-dakota/west-fargo/west-fargo-sheyenne/kendal-ray1</a>     Why do you want to play college volleyball?    It gives opportunities to grow as a person and player while also having fun doing it. I have always dreamed of playing college sports just like my parents did.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    I work out 3 days a week in the weight room and do core workouts on the other days. I also play softball and basketball which keeps me in shape.   What are your academic interests or intended major?    As of now I am looking into being a pharmacist, physical therapist, or perusing a business major but it is subject to change.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    I plan out my day a week ahead of time to make sure I know what time I do have in the day so I can be productive during that time. I do homework right after practices so that I am not stressing later at night.   My Final Thoughts:   Some athletes play the game at full speed and look like they are constantly fighting the moment. [player_tooltip player_id='836921' first='Piper' last='Feller'] is the opposite. She has one of the best verticals among outside hitters in North Dakota, yet there is a calmness to her game that makes everything look effortless. She never appears rushed, even when the play demands it. That relaxed approach, paired with her ability to elevate and attack above defenders, makes her a difficult player to prepare for. What stands out is that she does not rely solely on athleticism. She trusts her game, stays composed, and lets the match come to her. In a sport where so many athletes try to speed things up, Piper's ability to remain under control is part of what makes her so effective. The physical tools grab your attention first. The poise is what keeps it. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2SiudW">http://www.hudl.com/v/2SiudW</a>     Why do you want to play college volleyball?    Never really considered it.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    Do practices everyday in season, and in the offseason lift 4x a week, and do open gyms and camps to stay active.   What are your academic interests or intended major?    Sports Broadcasting/Media Production   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    Time management: I create a to-do list everyday and complete it, when i don't have work I leave my free time to do the hobbies I would like.   My Final Thoughts:   [player_tooltip player_id='932144' first='Anika' last='Mueller'] continues to prove why she belongs in conversations surrounding some of the top prospects in the region. There is a maturity to her game that allows her to stay composed when matches become physical and points become harder to earn. She consistently finds ways to contribute, embraces responsibility, and competes with a confidence that teammates naturally gravitate toward. What I appreciate most is that she does not need everything to be perfect around her to be effective. She adapts, responds, and continues finding ways to impact the match. As June 15 approaches, Anika is the type of athlete programs should make time to learn more about because her value extends far beyond a stat sheet. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2QQ63T">http://www.hudl.com/v/2QQ63T</a>     Why do you want to play college volleyball?    I want to play college volleyball because the sport has become a huge part of who I am. it has taught me how to work hard, overcome challenges, and support others. I love competing and pushing myself to improve every day, and I want to continue growing as both an athlete and a person while representing a college program. The opportunity to be part of a team, building lasting, relationships, and pursue my academic goals alongside volleyball is something I'm excited about.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    In-season i lift two to three times a week and we practice three times a week. For off-season i lift four times a week and also do camps along with school ball training.   What are your academic interests or intended major?    I want to major in Business and Marketing.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    I balance my life by making sure I plan things out but also staying present and going day by day.   My Final Thoughts:   [player_tooltip player_id='729589' first='Sylea' last='Sykes'] checks a lot of boxes, but what makes her intriguing is that the list keeps growing. The athletic ability is obvious the moment you watch her compete, yet some of her most impressive qualities show up away from the ball. She carries herself with confidence, embraces coaching, and approaches the game with a maturity that stands out. The more time you spend around her, the easier it becomes to understand why so many people believe she has the tools to play at the next level. Talent opens doors, but the combination of ability, mindset, and character is what keeps them open. Sylea brings all three, which is why she should be firmly on the radar as June 15 approaches. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: h<a href="//sportsrecruits.com/athlete/sylea_sykes2?video=6546509">ttps://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/sylea_sykes2?video=6546509</a>     Why do you want to play college volleyball?    I love competing and want to keep playing at a higher level after high school. Club has also allowed me to meet so many new friends and playing in college would do the same.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    In season is practice 2-3 times a week for 2-3 hours and workouts at ETS. In off season I continue to train at ETS as well as camps.   What are your academic interests or intended major?    As of right now I am most interested in some kind of business major but still undecided.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    When I'm not focusing on volleyball I like to spent as much time with friends and family outside of sports.   My Final Thoughts:   There are certain players in the Class of 2028 that people naturally bring up when talking about the future of volleyball in the region, and [player_tooltip player_id='727985' first='Taylor' last='Sanders'] has firmly placed herself in that conversation. She plays with a presence that is difficult to ignore and has developed a reputation for impacting matches when her team needs her most. As an attacker, she brings a combination of power, confidence, and point-scoring ability that consistently puts pressure on opposing defenses. What stands out is not just her ability to terminate, but her willingness to take big swings in important moments. Opponents know where she is, teammates trust her, and she continues to embrace the expectations that come with being one of the most talked-about players in her class. The exciting part is that her story is still being written. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: <a href="https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/taylor.sanders.2468247/volleyballwomen/videos/3500092?m=3">https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/taylor.sanders.2468247/volleyballwomen/videos/3500092?m=3</a>     Why do you want to play college volleyball?    I want to play college volleyball because I think it would be a cool experience and I would meet a lot of new people who are interested in the same thing I am.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    I play other sports, basketball and track, in the off season and during the summer we lift as a team and attend many camps.   What are your academic interests or intended major?    I am interested in nursing and also pharmacy.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    I like to really focus on one thing at a time. So if I am in school I would try to only focus on that.   My Final Thoughts:   If I am a college coach looking for offense on June 15, [player_tooltip player_id='758363' first='Jaycee' last='Jung'] is one of the first players I am making a call on. There are hitters who put up numbers, and then there are hitters opponents spend an entire match trying to slow down. Jaycee falls into the second category. She has established herself as one of the most dangerous attackers in South Dakota because of her ability to take over stretches of a match and put points on the board when her team needs them most. What makes her especially intriguing is that she continues to find ways to score even when defenses know the ball is coming her way. Those types of attackers are difficult to find. The production speaks for itself, but so does the respect she has earned from opposing teams. When conversations begin about the top hitters in the state, Jaycee's name belongs near the front of that discussion. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: N/A     Why do you want to play college volleyball?    I want to play college volleyball to compete at a higher level, challenge myself, and continue doing a sport I'm passionate about while being part of a strong team environment.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    I practice everyday in season while also lifting. During my off season I'm lifting every day and also competing in softball.   What are your academic interests or intended major?    Business/marketing. To one day create my own business.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    I balance school, sports, and my personal life by staying organized and managing my time well. I make sure to prioritize schoolwork, stay committed to my team, and still make time for family, friends, and rest. Being a student-athlete has taught me responsibility and discipline.   My Final Thoughts:   [player_tooltip player_id='752234' first='Cameron' last='Braun'] is the player I keep finding myself talking about after tournaments are over. Every time I watch her, she does something that reminds me why so many coaches already have her on their radar. The power is obvious, but what really separates her is her ability to adjust in the air and still find ways to score when the play is not perfect. That is a skill that cannot be taught to every athlete. What gives me the most confidence in Cameron's future is that her success is not built on talent alone. The work she puts in away from the court is just as impressive as what she does on it. She embraces difficult training, pushes herself to improve, and never seems satisfied with where she is today. For me, she is one of the most intriguing players in the Class of 2028 because the ceiling is high, but the work ethic to chase it is already there. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cameronbraun.vb.2028/reels/">cameronbraun.vb.2028</a>     Why do you want to play college volleyball?    I want to play college volleyball to continue to play the game I love, it allows me to compete, and work hard while also fostering new relationships and having fun.   What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season?    In season I have club practice 3 days a week, and try to lift 3-4 days a weeks plus one day of plyometrics. Off season I strive to lift everyday of the week and do one plyometric workout as well as open gyms for high school season.   What are your academic interests or intended major?    My academics interests currently are going on a pre-med track or marketing/business but am not completely sure yet.   How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life?    I balance school, sports, and personal life by mastering a schedule and sticking to it. Finding a consistent routine and sticking with it and when I have free time i use that time for friends and family depending on what i had already done that week regarding athletics.   My Final Thoughts: Some players leave you talking about one swing. [player_tooltip player_id='746420' first='Wells' last='Batcheller'] leaves you talking about the entire match. The longer I watch her compete, the more I appreciate all of the small things she does that help teams win. She seems to have a feel for when a match needs a spark, a steadying play, or someone willing to take responsibility in a big moment. Those qualities are difficult to measure, but they are impossible to ignore once you see them. Wells may not always be the loudest story coming out of a tournament, but she is often one of the players I find myself writing down before I leave the gym. Coaches you don't want to miss out on [player_tooltip player_id='746420' first='Wells' last='Batcheller']! ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   Highlight Link: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/25194213/wells-batcheller">https://www.hudl.com/profile/25194213/wells-batcheller</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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