Warner’s Young Core Is Ready for More in 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><strong>More than 150 college coaches shared this article.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Join PrepDig with 30% off using 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>Warner made another trip to the Class B state championship match last fall, and a big part of that run came from players who were only sophomores and freshmen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='758363' first='Jaycee' last='Jung'] returns after an All-State sophomore season. Tatum Hanson is back at setter, [player_tooltip player_id='805200' first='Courtney' last='Leidholt'] returns on the pin, and Warner has young players throughout the back row and middle who saw plenty of varsity court last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["758363"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a83c1c23fccd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='758363' first='Jaycee' last='Jung'] put together a big sophomore season with 355 kills, 42 aces, and 466 digs, earning First Team Class B All-State honors. (According to maxprep.com)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her play carried into the state tournament. Jung had 10 kills and 14 digs in the quarterfinal sweep of Harding County and finished the championship match with 17 kills. (According to maxprep.com)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What gets me is the amount she handles. Jung can take a significant number of swings and then turn around and be just as involved defensively. She heads into her junior year as a six-rotation outside hitter who has already proven herself on the state tournament floor. <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":["932152"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a83c1c23fd35"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tatum Hanson finished her sophomore season with 508 assists, 206 digs, and 48 aces. (According to maxprep.com)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hanson knows this group and has experience running the offense in big matches. She's also someone Warner can use to put pressure on serve receive, and she finished third on the team in aces last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 508 assists tell you how much time she's spent running this offense. Now she gets another season with several of the same attackers around her. <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":["805200"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a83c1c23fd83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='805200' first='Courtney' last='Leidholt'] put down 189 kills as a sophomore and added 51 aces, second on the team. (According to maxprep.com)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She gives Warner another arm alongside Jung on the outside. Leidholt can score off the pin and make things uncomfortable at the service line. With two junior outsides returning who have that much varsity experience, Warner has a solid foundation to start offensively. <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":["795527"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a83c1c23fdcc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='795527' first='Keira' last='Steger'] handled 365 digs as a freshman, averaging 3.3 per set. She did it while Warner was making its run through the state tournament and earned Class B All-Tournament honors. (According to maxprep.com)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's where I'd leave it with Steger. A freshman handling that much of the back row during a state championship season is impressive on its own. <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":["817048"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a83c1c23fe13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a freshman, she had 82 blocks and 74 aces. That's where I start with [player_tooltip player_id='817048' first='Miah' last='Leidholt']. (According to maxprep.com)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She led Warner in both categories and also hit .209. The serving number especially grabs me in the middle. Leidholt can affect a point at the net, rotate behind the line, and create problems there too. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='957081' first='Brynn' last='Hill'] was another freshman getting varsity work in the back row, averaging 2.3 digs per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill comes into her sophomore season having played those reps during a year that ended on the final day of the Class B tournament. We'll get a better look this fall at how much her role grows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='827570' first='Olivia' last='Marcuson'] finished her freshman season with 44 total blocks, third on the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She can play at right side or middle, and that's a nice option for Warner when the front row gets sorted out. Marcuson has a year of varsity experience heading into her sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kya Townsend and [player_tooltip player_id='826762' first='Kaydee' last='Mackner'] both move into their sophomore seasons after being part of Warner's varsity roster as freshmen. Lilly Meehan is the senior in this returning group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Claire Bakeberg was also listed on the 2025-26 varsity roster, but with no grade attached. Rather than guess where she falls for 2026-27, that's one I'll leave open until Warner's new roster is released.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Warner has a different team walking into the gym this fall, but many of the players taking on those roles have been on this floor before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They were there when Warner swept Harding County in the state quarterfinals. They were there for the five-set semifinal against Northwestern. They know what it feels like to play on championship Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now Jung, Hanson, and [player_tooltip player_id='805200' first='Courtney' last='Leidholt'] are juniors. Steger, [player_tooltip player_id='817048' first='Miah' last='Leidholt'], Hill, and Marcuson are only sophomores!</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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