EDC Breakdown: Is West Fargo Horace Ready to Dethrone Sheyenne?

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">More than 150 college coaches shared this article. Join PrepDig and get 30% off with code "digdakotas30."</a>   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram @prepdigdakota.</a>   West Fargo Sheyenne has set the pace in the Eastern Dakota Conference this season, and the numbers show why. The Mustangs have been producing in nearly every area of the game, leading the conference with 12.50 kills, 11.14 assists, 19.09 digs, and 2.62 aces per set. That balance makes a team difficult to prepare for, especially when opponents have to worry about more than one player putting the ball away.   A big part of that success has come from [player_tooltip player_id='722409' first='Peyton' last='Saxlund'] and [player_tooltip player_id='728000' first='Olivia' last='Bratton'], who have recorded 173 and 171 kills, respectively. I really like what having two productive attackers does for Sheyenne's offense because opposing blockers can't afford to spend an entire match focusing on one hitter. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='733255' first='Brynlie' last='Richman'] has been at the center of that production, averaging 10.77 assists per set, while [player_tooltip player_id='727997' first='Baylor' last='Dinger'] has done her part defensively with an impressive 5.84 digs per set.   But Sheyenne's production doesn't stop with its offense and backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='724921' first='Reilly' last='Bryant'] has been another important piece at the net, recording 29 blocks in 53 sets and averaging 0.547 blocks per set. That's a strong contribution from a player who helps give the Mustangs another way to challenge opposing offenses. When you look beyond the kill totals, you see how many different players are contributing to Sheyenne's success. The Mustangs aren't relying on one or two athletes to do all the work, and that balance is a big reason they've been so difficult to compete against.   As we look toward postseason volleyball, though, another EDC program deserves attention. West Fargo Horace has strong numbers, and the more I see what the Hawks bring to the court, the more I'm interested in how these two teams could match up.   Horace sits second in the conference in kills per set (11.15), assists per set (9.74), and aces per set (2.11), and also averages 1.61 blocks per set. Those numbers show a team that's capable of producing offensively while creating problems for opponents at the net. What makes Horace interesting is how its individual pieces fit together and the different ways the Hawks could challenge a team like Sheyenne.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Horace has the offensive firepower to make things interesting.</h3>   When talking about Horace's offensive production, it's impossible not to start with [player_tooltip player_id='834062' first='Kendall' last='Mueller']. She's leading the EDC with 215 kills, averaging 4.22 per set, and has also recorded 193 digs. That's a lot of responsibility for one player, especially given how much work it takes to be an outside hitter who contributes both offensively and defensively.   What catches my attention about Mueller is the production she's given Horace. She's clearly someone the Hawks can turn to when they need offense, and having a hitter who can handle that kind of workload becomes especially valuable against strong competition. When a match gets tight, and every point starts to matter a little more, Horace has a player who's already shown she can produce at a high level.   Of course, those attacking opportunities start with the players running the offense, and Horace has gotten contributions from both [player_tooltip player_id='724960' first='Courtney' last='Heiser'] and [player_tooltip player_id='748233' first='Alivia' last='Suda']. Heiser has recorded 241 assists and 24 aces, while Suda has added 196 assists. Heiser's ability to contribute on the right side also gives Horace some additional flexibility within its rotations.   I like that Horace has multiple players who can keep the offense moving, because against Sheyenne, the Hawks will need more than one option. With Saxlund and Bratton producing on the other side of the net, Horace will need to keep its own hitters involved rather than becoming too predictable with where the ball is going.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">A battle at the net</h3>   One area I keep coming back to when comparing these teams is what both programs have been doing defensively at the net. With Sheyenne getting so much offensive production from Saxlund and Bratton, the Hawks will need a disciplined front row ready to work throughout the match.   [player_tooltip player_id='752494' first='Michaela' last='McGrath'] has been a big part of Horace's blocking production, leading the EDC with 32 blocks and averaging 0.60 per set. [player_tooltip player_id='731517' first='Nora' last='Schumacher'] has also added 12 blocks, giving the Hawks another player to challenge opposing hitters.   But Sheyenne has its own answer at the net with [player_tooltip player_id='724921' first='Reilly' last='Bryant'], whose 29 blocks put her right in the conversation among the conference's productive blockers. With McGrath averaging 0.60 blocks per set and Bryant at 0.547, both teams have someone who can make opposing hitters think twice about where they attack.   What makes this matchup interesting is that neither team necessarily has to shut down the other's offense completely to make a difference. Getting touches on attacks, slowing down hard-driven balls, and giving the back row a chance to make a play can change the way a rally develops. Against teams with this much offensive production, communication and movement across the net will be important.   If Horace can make Sheyenne work for its kills rather than allowing clean attacking opportunities throughout the match, those extra defensive plays could create more chances for Mueller and the rest of the Hawks' offense. On the other side, Bryant and the Sheyenne front row will face the challenge of slowing down Mueller, one of the conference's most productive attackers.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The importance of first contact</h3>   As much as I enjoy watching a good offensive battle, I think one of the biggest factors in a potential meeting between these teams will be what happens in serve receive. Sheyenne's 2.62 aces per set show how much pressure the Mustangs have been putting on opponents, and Horace will need to handle that serving consistently if it wants to keep its offense running.   That's where [player_tooltip player_id='725659' first='Joslyn' last='Asplin'] becomes such an important part of the conversation. Asplin has recorded 185 digs this season, averaging 3.56 per set, along with 20 service aces. Her defense has been a key piece for Horace, and against Sheyenne, the Hawks will need the same consistency in the back row.   The biggest challenge will be ensuring Heiser and Suda get quality first contacts. When setters can get into position and use their hitters, it gives an offense more options and makes life harder for the opposing blockers. But when a team constantly chases passes, the defense can more easily anticipate where the next attack is coming from.   Horace also has another productive player from the service line in [player_tooltip player_id='883405' first='Jersie' last='Duberowski'], who has recorded 10 aces in just 19 sets, averaging 0.53 per set. Those numbers might not jump off the page like Mueller's kills or McGrath's blocks, but serving can make the difference in a close match. A few tough serves at the right time can disrupt an opponent's system and give your team a chance to build momentum.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why this matchup has my attention</h3>   The more I look at these two teams, the more I think this could be an interesting matchup to follow as postseason play approaches. Sheyenne has earned its spot among the conference leaders with balanced offense, strong defense, and the ability to put opponents under pressure from the service line. Multiple players contribute at a high level, and that kind of consistency is difficult to match.   Horace, however, has some strengths that could make things competitive. Mueller gives the Hawks a proven offensive option, McGrath and Schumacher provide help at the net, and Asplin, Heiser, and Suda give Horace players who can contribute on the first-contact and offensive sides of the game.   For Horace, I believe the biggest opportunity will come from keeping Sheyenne from getting comfortable. That means handling the serving pressure, making the Mustangs work for their attacking opportunities, and keeping Mueller and the other Horace hitters involved. For Sheyenne, continuing to spread the offense between Saxlund and Bratton while getting defensive contributions from Dinger and Bryant could make it difficult for Horace to establish any momentum.   Sheyenne's numbers speak for themselves, and the Mustangs deserve the attention they've received this season. But I wouldn't be too quick to overlook Horace, either. The Hawks have shown they can produce in several important areas. If these two teams meet in the postseason, plenty of individual matchups could make for a competitive night of volleyball.   For anyone who enjoys watching good EDC volleyball, this is one potential matchup I'd be looking forward to seeing unfold. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you, 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 grow this positive platform by spreading the word and encouraging your friends to subscribe at PrepDig.com. With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!   The village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers—makes this journey possible.   <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 is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image-8-2.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1020878" style="aspect-ratio:2.0216666666666665;width:1213px;height:auto" /></figure>

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