The Watch List Athletes Creating Buzz

<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>   Over the last few years, I've watched a lot of volleyball. Some of these athletes have been on my radar for a long time, and some have only recently found their way there. Either way, they keep giving me reasons to pay attention.   There are certain players whose names just keep showing up. I'll leave a tournament, look through my notes, and see the same athletes written down again. Maybe it's a setter controlling the tempo and keeping hitters involved. Maybe it's a middle hitter who seems to get her hands on everything at the net. Maybe it's a defender making play after play in the back row or a pin hitter finding ways to score when the ball needs to be put away.   What I enjoy most is seeing the growth. The player I watched a year ago isn't always the same player I'm watching today. The confidence is different. The game has slowed down. The little things are sharper. That's why these athletes are on the watch list. They continue to improve, continue to create conversations, and continue to make me look twice when I walk into a gym.    Albo Thao is a player who has continued to put in the work, and it's starting to show up more and more on the court. She does a nice job reading hitters and doesn't give up on many balls. What stands out to me is how active she stays during rallies. She keeps moving, keeps communicating, and finds ways to help her team stay on points. Defense can be a tough position to get noticed in, but Albo continues to make people pay attention. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     Playing six rotations isn't easy, but [player_tooltip player_id='939257' first='Ava' last='Schutz'] seems to enjoy being involved in every part of the match. She is asked to pass, defend, attack, and be available in transition, and she embraces it all. One thing I like about Ava is that she competes the same way whether things are going well or not. She has continued to develop her game and has become the type of player coaches can trust in a variety of situations. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     Not every player impacts a match by putting up big offensive numbers. [player_tooltip player_id='747741' first='Annika' last='Shurson'] creates her value in different ways. She's willing to chase down balls, take tough serve-receive reps, and do whatever is needed to keep a rally alive. The thing I like most is that she never seems to take a play off. Her energy stays the same, and that consistency is a big reason she continues to create buzz and earn attention. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     Middle blockers have one of the busiest jobs on the court, and [player_tooltip player_id='909053' first='Ashlyn' last='Schaitel'] embraces that challenge. She works hard from point to point and doesn't take plays off. Whether she is closing a block, transitioning off the net, or making herself available offensively, she stays involved. You can tell she has spent time working on her game, and that effort continues to show. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='933685' first='Aubrey' last='Polzin'] is a middle who continues to make steady progress. What I appreciate is her willingness to do the work that comes with the position. Middles are constantly moving and adjusting, and Aubrey continues to embrace those responsibilities. She competes hard at the net and brings an energy that teammates feed off of. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='993250' first='Emilia' last='Maunumaki'] is a player who has continued to trend in the right direction. One thing I have noticed is how much more comfortable she looks trusting her game. She moves well along the net, stays available, and continues to find ways to impact matches even when the ball isn't coming her way. The growth has been noticeable, and that's why she remains a player worth watching. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='849986' first='Dahlia' last='Klein'] has continued to create buzz because she understands the responsibility that comes with being a setter. She works hard to get her hitters involved and does a good job keeping the offense moving. What I like is that she doesn't seem afraid to make decisions. Setters touch the ball more than anyone, and Dahlia continues to show confidence in those moments. She has put herself in the conversation through the work she continues to put into her game. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas    <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>

This article was shared with 150+ college coaches. Join PrepDig with 30% off using code: digdakotas30