First Look: Players to Watch at South Dakota Class A State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><strong>More than 150 college coaches shared this article.</strong> <strong>Join PrepDig and get 30% off with code "digdakotas30."</strong></a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram @prepdigdakota.</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eight teams, three wins to the title. South Dakota Class A volleyball is heading to Sioux Falls for the state championships. Here are a few matches to watch for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams have put up big offensive numbers all season and fought through tough matches to come out on top. The players can now test themselves to see if they have what it takes to win big.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sioux Falls Christian is the #1 seed in the tournament. The Clark/Willow Lake Wildcats lost only one match during the regular season. St. Thomas More enters with 31 wins in the fall. Though they are the top-seeded team in the tournament, this bracket features many talented teams and players, including seasoned seniors and very young players alike.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most people will probably focus their attention on those big offensive players. Still, their teammates, including the highly effective setters, the many talented middles looking to score against pins, and some tenacious players on all four corners of the court, are so valuable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class A State Tournament: Quarterfinal Matchups</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thursday, November 19 | All Times Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>11:00 AM:</strong> No. 1 Sioux Falls Christian (24-9) vs. No. 8 Lennox (21-10)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>12:45 PM:</strong> No. 4 Clark/Willow Lake (24-1) vs. No. 5 Aberdeen Roncalli (23-5)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>5:00 PM:</strong> No. 2 Dell Rapids (26-3) vs. No. 7 Dakota Valley (23-11)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>6:45 PM:</strong> No. 3 St. Thomas More (31-7) vs. No. 6 Wagner (26-5)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The players to watch at the Class A State tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 1 Sioux Falls Christian (24-9)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='760378' first='Camdyn' last='Mulder'] | Senior | OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A senior outside hitter with a state championship at her toes, [player_tooltip player_id='760378' first='Camdyn' last='Mulder'] looks to lead Sioux Falls Christian to another run. Lennox has several ways to stop the Chargers' offense, but Mulder is another outside hitter to watch. Watch her on balls hit high to the outside and see if she can connect on the occasional out-of-system set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='951764' first='Meredith' last='Nelson'] | Senior | Setter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson is 6'2” in a class of many senior impact players. She will look to distribute the ball to her many attack options but, more importantly, will have the power to push her team's tempo. An early look here is at how she disperses the first touch and quickly moves to feed her inside hitters, not allowing Lennox to fall into a comfortable block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='753852' first='Jayla' last='Overman'] | Junior | MH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='753852' first='Jayla' last='Overman'], 5'9” Junior, Middle Hitter: Jayla is another huge piece of the front row for Sioux Falls Christian. She has great quickness for her size and can move into position to pass and block the opponents early. We will look to see how Jayla reads the setter and closes to the pins in the Chargers' quick-hitting situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='746005' first='Ella' last='Fluth'] | Junior | OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='746005' first='Ella' last='Fluth'], a 6′+ outside hitter for Sioux Falls Christian is another equal opportunity attacker for the Chargers to deliver offense when needed. Lennox's best chance to win long rallies is to shift to block another Chargers attacker and give Fluth opportunities in transition to keep the Chargers offense producing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 2 Dell Rapids (26-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='835393' first='Madelynn' last='Henry'] | Senior | OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'0” senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='835393' first='Madelynn' last='Henry'] has 6 varsity seasons under her belt and is an Oregon commit looking for her one state championship in senior year tournaments. Even though she is one of the outside hitters for the Quarriers, Dell Rapids' offense will look to have the senior outside hitter receive many of the swings in big moments of the match for her team. The Panthers will look to stop her at the pins and in turn have the Quarriers look for other options to sink points for the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='932679' first='Jersi' last='Schultz'] | Junior | MH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='932679' first='Jersi' last='Schultz'] will look to contribute to the offense of Dell Rapids behind the strong play of senior outside, [player_tooltip player_id='835393' first='Madelynn' last='Henry']. Schultz is a junior, 5-11 middle who has seen considerable time at OH also. Dell Rapids looks to run quick sets to its middles off of passes that result in a quick transition to attack. In looking to set up Schultz to hit early, the Quarriers look to have the Dakota Valley middle blockers to stay home rather than release to Henrey hitting from the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='759549' first='Alaina' last='Wolff'] | Senior | Libero</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a lot of responsibility for first contact with the ball for Dell Rapids before it can get to their Attackers. That would be [player_tooltip player_id='759549' first='Alaina' last='Wolff'], the Senior Libero for the Quarriers. She will face a challenging Dakota Valley team that has a large amount of powerful hitters on their team. Watch how Wolff's team handles serve receive in this match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 3 St. Thomas More (31-7)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='749243' first='Leighton' last='Scherr'] | Senior | MH/OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A different type of opponent is St. Thomas More and the 6'0” [player_tooltip player_id='749243' first='Leighton' last='Scherr']. The senior can play at the MH or OH position for the 31-7 season squad and opposite senior, Lennox outside, [player_tooltip player_id='1064173' first='Kesley' last='Benda']. Note how STM coaches Scherr in order to best oppose[player_tooltip player_id='725200' first='Ravyn' last='Medricky'] other attackers at the outside and MH positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1064173' first='Kesley' last='Benda'] | Senior | OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Thomas More outside hitters will look to score around Wagner's size at the net. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='1064173' first='Kesley' last='Benda'], one of the many senior leaders on the Cavaliers' squad, to mix up her shot selection throughout the match and to find ways to score for her team throughout the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1064177' first='Myah' last='Eggleston'] | Senior | L/DS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wagner brings a list of large, talented hitters to the match against Wagner in the quarterfinals. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1064177' first='Myah' last='Eggleston'] will be charged with recognizing Wagner's big hitters and keeping them in system in hopes that Wagner's big hits are turned into large playable hits by the Cavaliers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 4 Clark/Willow Lake (24-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelsey Hofer | Senior | RS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watch how senior Kelsey Hofer can look to add to her team's attack from the right side of the court for the Cyclones. Hofer will look to take pressure off of her teammates and feed off of of their hits as well, leading to big side out gains. In transition Hofer will also be able to get off of of of great passes to look to score big and get her team on the front foot early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='802219' first='Kadee' last='Frankfurth'] | Senior | Libero</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for a senior on the Cyclones' side, [player_tooltip player_id='802219' first='Kadee' last='Frankfurth'] will be a test for Roncalli's hitters trying to put pressure on the Cyclone defenders. Be sure to pay attention to her passing as the Cyclones look to continue their season and keep their record unblemished aside from a loss to an opponent that had a strong record as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='959469' first='Shelby' last='Begeman'] | Sophomore | MH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big plus for the team is that they have another 6'0” player in the middle, Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='959469' first='Shelby' last='Begeman']. We will look to her to read the set and to close up some of the outside blocks. We will also look to her to quickly respond to some of the quicker attacks when we are passing well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calla Larson | Junior | OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calla Larson is another attacker for Wagner. Wagner has several attackers that Aberdeen Roncalli will look to prepare for as they try to take down the #4-seeded Cyclones. Watch for Larson in transition, and look for opportunities for her to score in various areas of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 5 Aberdeen Roncalli (23-5)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cambry Feickert | Senior | Libero</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The back row of Aberdeen Roncalli will be tested Friday against the powerful front row of Clark/Willow Lake in a match in which Aberdeen Roncalli looks to defeat the season's 24-1 team. Senior Cambry Feickert will be a key player in the Cavaliers' back row, looking to keep the Cyclones out of the system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ella Feickert | Senior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Ella Feickert is part of a very senior, experience-ridden Aberdeen Roncalli team. The Cavaliers face one of the toughest records in Class A in their quarterfinal match against Clark/Willow Lake. Follow to see how Feickert fits into the Cavaliers' lineup and how she will keep her composure to help her team succeed in this closely contested match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jillian Ellwein | Junior | OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A last look at some really talented sophomores playing on Friday night, and we end with the outside hitters for #5 Aberdeen Roncalli. Junior Jillian Ellwein will face a tall Cyclones front row and will have to use a variety of shot types in her quest for points against the No. 4 seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olivia Dix | Junior | OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Follow the outside hits of Larson's counterpart, Dix, in this match. See how she will move around the court in order to attack in transition to go for various areas of the court to deal with blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 6 Wagner (26-5)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='725200' first='Ravyn' last='Medricky'] | Senior | MH/OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='725200' first='Ravyn' last='Medricky'] is a senior on the Wagner team. The Sioux Falls native is headed to Sioux Falls in the summer and is committed to the University of Charleston. Wagner Senior, a 6'2” middle/outside hitter with 1,000 career kills, is another that the St. Thomas More Cavaliers will have to deal with in this match. How the St. Thomas More front row blocks the Wagner senior will be key to the Cavaliers taking the first match of the quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='832605' first='Hannah' last='Holzbauer'] | Junior | OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As Medricky receives a lot of attention from the defense of St. Thomas More, [player_tooltip player_id='832605' first='Hannah' last='Holzbauer'] has the ability to see a lot of action from the outside of the court. Wagner will need more than one player to score in this big matchup. Watch how Wagner's outside hitters can handle the Cavaliers' block, and see if Holzbauer can turn Wagner's numerous transition opportunities into points for the Red Raiders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='835877' first='Mateya' last='Bruguier'] | Senior | OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Holzbauer, senior [player_tooltip player_id='835877' first='Mateya' last='Bruguier'] will look to step up for Wagner in the postseason. Often the team's third option, the outside hitter's shot selection and how she handles longer rallies will play a factor in how Wagner can look to grab extra victories. She will also likely be tasked with helping with serve receive and scoring in her own right.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 7 Dakota Valley (23-11)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madelyn Munch | Senior | Setter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dakota Valley senior Madelyn Munch has been busy handing out over 800 assists this season. In the Panthers' tournament opener, she faces the challenge of getting several offensive starters involved in the Dell Rapids Quarriers' aggressive block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='446330' first='Coryn' last='Kimbell'] | Senior | Libero</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As one of the Panthers' best back row players with a 4.1+ dig/set average in matches, [player_tooltip player_id='446330' first='Coryn' last='Kimbell'] will have her hands full against the powerful Dell Rapids front row. Watch to see how she sets up to the side of the court to defend the big hitting of outside hitter Henry and how she reacts to bounce of big shot attempts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='829797' first='Aubree' last='Worden'] | Junior | OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'10” junior from Sanford will be one of the lookers to watch as she attempts to score against Dell Rapids' front row. With over 241 kills on the year, the junior outside hitter will be critical to the Panthers in this match. Will Worden find ways to score against the Quarriers and help lead Dakota Valley past St. Thomas More?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='488558' first='Skylar' last='Anderson'] | Senior | MH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Skyler Anderson will look to lead her team in blocks and hit for a high percentage against Henry and the rest of the Quarriers front row. Anderson will have her hands full against a top-notch front row but will look to distribute offense for her team and keep opponents' hits to a minimum as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 8 Lennox (21-10)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='759203' first='Rylee' last='Hedin'] | Senior | OH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #1 seed in the drought-stricken south region gets off to a good start against a team with many outside hitters. Lennox outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='759203' first='Rylee' last='Hedin'], is a senior who looks to set up her team against the length of Sioux Falls Christian. Watch how she handles the block and looks to score from the outside, as Lennox needs big hits from her throughout the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mallorie Bittner | Senior | MH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mallorie Bittner of Lennox is a 6'0” senior middle who will face the challenge of a big offense in Sioux Falls Christian in the quarterfinals. She will be tested in her blocking reads and movement. The Orioles need her to react quickly in her position and close to the pins as fast as possible. She will also look to contribute on offense after a good first pass by her team. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you to all my readers for making this journey possible. 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