Volleyball With Purpose: Landon’s Light Makes History

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">Subscribe</a> to Prep Dig using discount code digdakotas30   Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas   Imagine spending over eight hours assembling an outdoor volleyball court from scratch—leveling the sub-base, laying tiles piece by piece, framing the net with precision—all under the sun and the eyes of a community rallying behind a cause. That's exactly what happened yesterday in West Fargo at the Landon's Light Volleyball Invite, hosted by the Landon's Light Foundation. And once the court was set, the real show began: more than seven hours of high-level volleyball action played under blue skies in front of 1,000+ fans and a statewide TV audience.   For those unfamiliar, the <a href="https://landonslight.org/">Landon's Light Foundation</a> was created in memory of Landon Solberg, a young boy who faced terminal brain cancer with courage and faith. The foundation's mission is to bring hope and joy to children battling serious illness while supporting their academic, spiritual, and physical well-being. The invite perfectly blended athleticism with purpose—teams and fans rallying not only for wins but also for a heartfelt cause that touched every person in attendance.   And the volleyball didn't disappoint. Here's how the night unfolded:   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Eagles Soar Past Shanley</h3>   Fargo Davies opened the day with a statement win, topping Shanley in four sets (25–13, 25–14, 22–25, 25–10). [player_tooltip player_id='832136' first='Fallon' last='Passanante'], the Eagles' six-rotation outside, was unstoppable from the pins. She tallied 20 kills, mixing power crosscourt swings with finesse tips into the seams. Her ability to terminate in transition kept Shanley's defense scrambling all match.   At the service line, setter [player_tooltip player_id='725013' first='Quinn' last='Skari'] was just as dangerous as she was in system, delivering a game-high six aces. Skari showcased advanced setter IQ—running quick tempo balls, disguising her sets, and spreading the offense to keep blockers off balance. The match closed with middle [player_tooltip player_id='724925' first='Jaelynn' last='Jackson'] putting her stamp on the game. Jackson, a physical presence at the net, sealed the fourth set with a decisive ace but made her biggest impact with blocks that closed down the middle lanes all night. She's one to watch this season as she continues to emerge as a top-tier middle in North Dakota.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Horace Sweeps Fargo North</h3>   Horace kept their momentum rolling with a clean sweep of Fargo North (25–19, 25–13, 25–20). [player_tooltip player_id='834062' first='Kendall' last='Mueller'] stood out on the outside, recording eight kills. What makes Mueller dangerous is her ability to elevate over the block and hit with range—mixing deep-corner swings with sharp angles that force defenders to guess.   Running the offense was setter [player_tooltip player_id='724960' first='Courtney' last='Heiser'], who did more than just deliver clean sets. She used her vision to call quicks, back sets, and stacked plays that opened hitting lanes for her attackers. Right alongside them, [player_tooltip player_id='748629' first='McKenna' last='Colter'] chipped in seven kills, showing off her ability to tool the block and swing aggressively in out-of-system situations. Together, they gave Horace a balanced attack that North couldn't slow down.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Packers Outlast Spuds</h3>   One of the most competitive matches of the day saw West Fargo outlast Moorhead in four sets (25–16, 23–25, 25–19, 25–23). [player_tooltip player_id='722412' first='Ellee' last='McIntosh'] led the charge with 12 kills, her heavy arm swing proving too much for Moorhead's back row. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='809991' first='Audra' last='Schroeder'] added seven kills, using quick attacks and slides to stretch the defense while also providing a big block at the net.   The difference maker, though, was libero [player_tooltip player_id='203420' first='Raina' last='Chwialkowski'], who anchored the backcourt with 24 digs and added three service aces. Her ability to read hitters early and control first contact gave her setters options all night long. Also worth noting—[player_tooltip player_id='725601' first='Mya' last='Glandt'], an outside hitter with tremendous upside, continues to emerge as a player to watch. Her athleticism and competitive fire make her a valuable piece for the Packers moving forward.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mustangs Close with Convincing Win</h3>   The day wrapped up with West Fargo Sheyenne cruising past Fargo South in straight sets (25–16, 25–14, 25–13). The Mustangs' attack was balanced and efficient, led by [player_tooltip player_id='722410' first='Cora' last='Metcalf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='722409' first='Peyton' last='Saxlund'], who each tallied nine kills. Metcalf dominated from the right side, using her block to shut down South's pin hitters and scoring on sharp angles in transition. Saxlund's athleticism stood out immediately. With one of the best verticals in the gym, she elevated above the block to deliver high-point attacks that were nearly impossible to defend. Her explosive approach and ability to hit sharp angles gave Sheyenne a reliable outlet whenever they needed a side-out. While she doesn't play in the back row, Saxlund's front-row dominance and leaping ability make her one of the most dangerous weapons in the Mustangs' offense.   But the all-around performance of [player_tooltip player_id='728000' first='Olivia' last='Bratton'] stood out most. Bratton not only added seven kills but also served up five aces, proving she can impact the game from anywhere on the floor. As a true six-rotation outside, her defensive range and passing consistency make her a cornerstone player Sheyenne can count on in high-pressure moments.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   The Landon's Light Invite wasn't just about wins and losses. It was a showcase of North Dakota's elite volleyball talent, played on a court built for something bigger than sport. From powerful swings to gritty digs, the night proved that volleyball here isn't just thriving—it's inspiring. And as the season unfolds, many of the athletes highlighted in this event will be the same names drawing attention from college recruiters across the country.   <img class="wp-image-884986" style="width: 150px" src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-09-at-7.28.26-PM.jpeg" alt="">The evening wrapped with a special moment—West Fargo Sheyenne playing under the lights, closing out the day with energy and pride in front of a roaring crowd. It was a fitting finale to a tournament that combined passion, purpose, and community.   If you are wanting to learn more about Landon's Light Foundation and the incredible stories that continue to inspire so many, visit <a href="https://landonslight.org/">landonslight.org</a>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <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>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Please help us continue to grow this positive platform for players by spreading the word and encouraging your friends to subscribe at <a href="https://prepdig.com/">PrepDig.com.</a> With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!</h2>   This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.   Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman   Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas

Subscribe to Prep Dig using discount code digdakotas30