High School Season News: Who Is Leading With Top Kills?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to Prep Dig using discount code digdakotas30</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season is right around the corner, and one of the questions I keep hearing is: <em>“Who are the players to watch this year?”</em> The truth is, I could list name after name—because volleyball across the Dakotas has taken major strides. Talent is deeper than ever, and we're seeing players getting recruited from coast to coast.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These athletes don't just show up—they show out. And as we head into the 2025-2026 season, I wanted to take a closer look at one of the most telling stats on the offensive side of the game: <strong>kills</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After some digging and tracking from past seasons, I've found the hitters who are leading the boards in career kills in South Dakota—it's no surprise at all a few of them cracked the coveted <strong>1,000 kill milestone</strong> before their high school careers are over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["725193"],"_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-688ce244067fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Currently ranked No. 1 in South Dakota's 2027 class, [player_tooltip player_id='835393' first='Madelynn' last='Henry'] is rewriting what it means to be a young, high-impact outside. Already with <strong>1537 career kills</strong>, she's well on track to eclipse 1,000 kills before her high school career is over—a rare feat, especially this early. Henry plays like a veteran: terminal in transition, lethal out-of-system, and smart enough to expose the block with off-speed and high hands. Her ability to read the court, stay in rhythm, and score under pressure makes her one of the most complete offensive weapons in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>~Theresa @prepdigdakotas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://wwww.hudl.com/video/3/16481615/6803d4c22b345a37ffc78d9f">http://wwww.hudl.com/video/3/16481615/6803d4c22b345a37ffc78d9f</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["536783"],"_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-688ce24406844"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='536783' first='Gabi' last='Zachariasen'] is South Dakota's No. 1 ranked player for 2026 with <strong>1279 kills</strong> last season. She consistently terminates with power and precision, scoring in system and out of system. Gabi's ability to find seams and tool blockers makes her a constant offensive threat. Her diverse attack arsenal keeps defenses off balance and opens up opportunities for teammates. With her kill total climbing fast, she's on pace for an impressive career mark. Zachariasen's scoring prowess has been a key factor in Harrisburg's success and her rise as a top state leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>~Theresa @prepdigdakotas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17289550/686f46399524825615031dc5">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17289550/686f46399524825615031dc5</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["389837"],"_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-688ce2440679c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='389837' first='Claire' last='Munch'] is the kind of terminal hitter every offense needs. Primarily a outside attacker, she brings serious firepower to the pin and isn't afraid to take big swings against double blocks. Her ability to hit high and hard across court, tool the outside hand, or finesse a smart off-speed shot shows a mature understanding of the game. What sets her apart is not just her strength at the net, but her positional versatility—she can slide into the outside role seamlessly, adjusting to tempo and rhythm with ease. With <strong>1200 career kills at the begininand counting</strong>, Claire's offensive impact is undeniable. Expect her to be a go-to weapon again this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>~Theresa @prepdigdakotas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/claire.munch/volleyballwomen/videos/2610815?m=3">https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/claire.munch/volleyballwomen/videos/2610815?m=3</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["725175"],"_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-688ce24406889"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='839927' first='Emmie' last='Hausmann'] ranks 19th in South Dakota's Class of 2026 and has already racked up <strong>879 career kills</strong>. Known for her ability to attack from multiple angles, Emmie consistently finds ways to score both in and out of system. Her powerful swings and sharp court awareness make her a reliable offensive weapon for Burke. Beyond just putting up kills, she shows strong ball control and versatility, contributing to both the offensive and defensive phases of the game. As she continues to develop, Hausmann is poised to be a key player to watch in her senior season and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>~Theresa @prepdigdakotas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jn4bz">http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jn4bz</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["725176"],"_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-688ce244068cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='725176' first='Sophie' last='DeLange'] is a dynamic middle blocker entering her senior season with <strong>634 career kills</strong>. Known for her quick first step and strong presence at the net, she consistently closes seams with well-timed blocks and finishes with efficient quick attacks. Sophie's ability to read the setter and anticipate plays makes her a key defensive and offensive anchor. Her combination of power and timing in the middle keeps opponents off balance and opens opportunities for her teammates. Expect her to continue climbing the kill charts and making an impact on both ends of the court this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>~Theresa @prepdigdakotas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/sophie.delange/volleyballwomen/videos/2520436?m=3">https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/sophie.delange/volleyballwomen/videos/2520436?m=3</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>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.</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Please help us continue to grow this positive platform for players by spreading the word and encouraging your friends to subscribe at&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/">PrepDig.com.</a>&nbsp;With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.</em></strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman @</em></strong>prepdigdakotas</h4> <!-- /wp:heading -->