Under the Radar: Players Taking Over Tournament Play

<!-- 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>The regular season record means very little in the week of regionals. What we get to see in this brand new season of tournament play is incredible. There are so many intense games where every point is earned, and kids give their absolute best in moments when they need to deliver big performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So here are a handful of uncommitted players for college coaches to watch. They put up impressive numbers in key games. There were plenty of big hits, great defensive plays, and an upping of the ante when it mattered most in their respective seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Either you've seen some of these names before, or they deserve a closer look, because this week of regionals has brought up a lot of great topics of discussion, and they're getting a hard look as candidates the college coach should be watching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["724988"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af7e151c148e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This Region 2A volleyball tournament was another level of play for [player_tooltip player_id='724988' first='Kinley' last='Johnson'], highlighting how postseason play can greatly alter a player's conversation and why they deserve more recognition. Johnson's play throughout the Region 2A tournament certainly caught my eye as she played to her potential in big matches and surely became a bigger part of her team's offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Colleges should take a closer look at her ability to hit a range of shots and make solid shot selections against a very disciplined block. She is definitely doing everything to receive more attention, and I am excited to watch her play for the remainder of her season. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["835674"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af7e151c150c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">College coaches traveling to Bismarck next weekend for matches this weekend should stop by and watch [player_tooltip player_id='835674' first='Marah' last='Johnson'], an outside hitter for the Carrington High School volleyball team. Johnson is a serious offensive threat at the outside hitter position, forcing opponents to bring their best defensive efforts to neutralize her on the court. The various methods by which she places constant pressure on her opponents will be worth observing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coaches should pay attention to the attack angle Johnson selects, the arm speed she uses to hit that angle, and how effectively she can manage a well-formed double block to score on it. When Johnson is taking over a volleyball rally, her opponents would do well to pay close attention. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1064715"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af7e151c1573"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Can one player handle twenty-plus kills in a match during tournament play? [player_tooltip player_id='1064715' first='Addisyn' last='Faul'] has shown that she can handle that kind of workload, and she continues to step up to the challenge of facing other talented players. For a hitter, her production is impressive, but equally as important is her ability to manage those kills. That means hitting out of system and finding ways to score when a block is set on her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1064715' first='Addisyn' last='Faul'] is definitely a player to watch, with enough production to get college coaches' attention and the willingness to put in the effort to improve her game. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1047646"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af7e151c15d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1047646' first='Blake' last='Nicholas'] is definitely someone to watch. A freshman setter making veteran-level decisions in the middle of a regional tournament is impressive. There is so much more to running an offense than hitting at a pretty decent clip, and Nicholas is handling herself like a veteran. In tournament action thus far, I am impressed by her decision-making, her ability to manipulate tempo, and her read of blockers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She's got a lot of potential for growth over the next three years and could develop into one of the most interesting young setters in North Dakota. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["930185"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af7e151c162c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='930185' first='Kemi' last='Morstad'] of Langdon has over 2,000 career assists and more than 1,000 digs in her junior year of high school. That alone deserves a phone call from college coaches. She is responsible for running an offense while also contributing heavily to her team's defense. It takes a consistent, aware player to add so much value past the second touch of the ball. Her tempo-setting, distribution, and transition decision-making will be things to watch for in her senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She could easily finish as one of the top setters from northern North Dakota this year. With another year of potential growth, her ceiling is very remarkable to watch. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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. With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><br>The village, athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers create this journey together.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman</em></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Follow on Instagram @prepdigdakotas.</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>In Case You Missed It</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":987083,"width":"1214px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"2.026711185308848","linkDestination":"custom"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><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" style="aspect-ratio:2.026711185308848;width:1214px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->