Region 2A Playoff Preview: 2026 Bracket And Key Players

<!-- 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>Postseason volleyball takes center stage in Devils Lake as seven teams enter the 2026 NDHSAA Region 2A Tournament with their sights set on advancing. Carrington holds the No. 1 seed and an opening-round bye, while the remaining six teams prepare for quarterfinal matchups that could set up an interesting road to the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are several things worth watching in this bracket, starting with the 4/5 matchup between Thompson and Grafton. May-Port-C-G looks to make the most of its No. 2 seed, while Devils Lake gets the opportunity to compete on its home floor. At this point in the season, handling serve pressure, limiting unforced errors, and finding ways to score when the first pass isn't perfect become even more important.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at the opening-round matchups, along with several players who could have a say in how Region 2A unfolds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Opening-Round Matchups</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">No. 4 Thompson vs. No. 5 Grafton</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the more interesting opening-round matchups, with Thompson and Grafton meeting for a chance to take on top-seeded Carrington. Both teams have an opportunity to put pressure on the other from the service line, but what happens after that first contact could be the bigger story. Thompson will want to establish its hitters on both pins, while Grafton needs to make it difficult for Thompson to get comfortable offensively. Watch how each team handles longer rallies and whether either side can create separation with a strong serving run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">No. 2 May-Port-C-G vs. No. 7 Hillsboro/Central Valley</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May-Port-C-G enters the tournament with the No. 2 seed and an opportunity to set the tone early. Getting into its offense quickly and creating opportunities in transition will be important against Hillsboro/Central Valley. For HCV, the focus starts with serve receive and giving its setter enough options to avoid becoming predictable. If Hillsboro/Central Valley can extend rallies and limit easy points, it could make May-Port-C-G work harder than the seeding suggests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">No. 3 Devils Lake vs. No. 6 Harvey/Wells County</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing at home gives Devils Lake a familiar setting, but Harvey/Wells County has an opportunity to make things uncomfortable early. The opening few rotations could tell us quite a bit about this matchup. Devils Lake will want to establish its offense through a controlled first pass, while Harvey/Wells County can create problems by serving into seams and forcing the home team to play out of system. The team that handles those broken plays and transitions back into offense will have an advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players to Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='930172' first='Aniston' last='Hoornaert'] | Carrington | Setter</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='930172' first='Aniston' last='Hoornaert'] will have an important role as Carrington prepares for its semifinal matchup. With [player_tooltip player_id='830737' first='Calleigh' last='Hewitt'] in the middle and Bella Hone on the outside, Hoornaert has options to work with, and how she uses them could make Carrington difficult to defend. I'll be watching how she moves the ball between the middle and pins, particularly when the pass allows her to run a quicker offense. Keeping opposing blockers from settling on one hitter will be important as the competition gets tougher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='829501' first='Andie' last='Schwab'] | Thompson | Outside/Middle</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='829501' first='Andie' last='Schwab'] gives Thompson flexibility across the front row, with the ability to contribute from both the outside and middle. That becomes especially valuable in a postseason matchup where teams need to find different ways to score. Against Grafton, I'll be watching how Schwab adjusts her approach depending on where she's attacking, particularly her timing on quicker balls through the middle and her ability to find openings from the left pin. Alongside [player_tooltip player_id='782408' first='Vivien' last='Majkrzak'], who can work as an opposite or middle, Thompson has options to challenge different areas of the opposing block. Schwab's ability to make those adjustments could be important in keeping Thompson's offense productive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='723230' first='Riley' last='Remmick'] | Devils Lake | Setter</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='723230' first='Riley' last='Remmick'] has the opportunity to help Devils Lake take advantage of playing on its home court. With [player_tooltip player_id='724989' first='Sara' last='Kraft'] and Emersyn Remmick available as attacking options, her ability to recognize favorable matchups and deliver hittable balls will be important. What interests me is how she handles the offense when Harvey/Wells County applies serving pressure. Getting her feet to the ball, making good decisions off imperfect passes, and keeping multiple hitters involved could help Devils Lake find its rhythm early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='809826' first='Paetyn' last='Strand'] | May-Port-C-G | Middle/Opposite</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='809826' first='Paetyn' last='Strand'] gives May-Port-C-G another option across the front row, with the ability to contribute as both a middle and opposite. Against Hillsboro/Central Valley, I'll be watching how she moves along the net, gets into position for quicker attacks, and adjusts when the ball is pushed toward the right side. Her blocking responsibilities will also be important, particularly when it comes to reading the setter and closing gaps against opposing hitters. Strand's versatility allows May-Port-C-G to use her in different matchups, and her ability to produce offensively while remaining active at the net could make her an important piece of their postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='724933' first='Aaliyah' last='Hjelmstad'] | Hillsboro/Central Valley | Libero</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='724933' first='Aaliyah' last='Hjelmstad'] could have a busy night in the backcourt as Hillsboro/Central Valley takes on second-seeded May-Port-C-G. Her ability to read the attack and get herself behind hard-driven balls will be important, especially when May-Port-C-G gets into its transition offense. I'll be watching her serve-receive positioning, how she handles balls driven into the seams, and whether she can turn difficult digs into playable contacts. For HCV to extend rallies and create more offensive opportunities, Hjelmstad's consistency in the backcourt could make a real difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region 2A has several matchups that could become interesting if teams find ways to put pressure on their opponents early. Carrington enters with the top seed, but the opening round will give us a better picture of which teams are playing their best volleyball heading into the semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What I'll be paying attention to is how the setters handle defensive pressure, which hitters find ways to score against organized blocks, and which teams can turn tough defensive plays into points. There is plenty of talent across this region, and postseason volleyball gives these players another opportunity to show what they can bring when the stakes are higher. <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. 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> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Please help us continue to grow this positive platform for players by spreading the word and encouraging your friends to subscribe at PrepDig.com. 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