And We’re Off to State: ND-Class B Top Players to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;<strong>digdakotas30</strong>&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The engines are loud, the gyms are packed, and the road to a Class B championship officially begins tomorrow. North Dakota volleyball fans know there's nothing quite like State—every rally feels heavier, every swing sounds sharper, and every student section comes ready to shake the building. As the brackets tighten and the spotlight hits, a new wave of standout athletes is ready to take center stage. These are the Class B players you need to know as the opening matches get underway.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/image_9f7989.png?w=1024" alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image_9f7989.png" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the Class B bracket gets underway, fans can expect high-tempo offenses, disciplined back-court anchors, and pin hitters ready to take big swings in pressure moments. Let's take a look at what to expect and what players to know on day one!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Medina-Pingree/Buchanan vs. Surrey</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup promises long rallies, back-row grit, and big momentum swings, and it starts with MPB's anchor <strong>Marly Hoffmann</strong>, a libero who reads hitters early and controls first contact with calm precision. Expect Hoffmann to set the defensive tone immediately, taking away Surrey's cross-court lanes and holding serve-receive steady against aggressive floaters. When she stabilizes the floor, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='724976' first='Violet' last='Bohl']</strong> takes over — a setter who loves tempo and isn't afraid to run her offense fast to the pins. Bohl's ability to disguise her dumps and pull Surrey's blockers off rhythm could be a difference-maker. On the outside, <strong>Jorgen Tripp</strong> brings a fearless presence. She swings with pace, works high hands, and keeps defenders honest by using the entire court. Look for her to challenge Surrey's block from the very first rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Surrey counters with size and power in the middle through <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880838' first='Ava' last='Keller']</strong>, who will try to impose herself early with hard sealing blocks and quick-gap attacks. Keller's ability to get touches at the net could slow MPB's offense if she establishes timing early. On the pin, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836049' first='Mekenzie' last='Neighbors']</strong> brings heavy swings and a go-to mentality in transition. She thrives when the rally speeds up and will test MPB's edges with deep-corner shots. In the jersey, libero <strong>Hanna Arnott</strong> is Surrey's backbone — a defender with fast feet and strong platform angles who keeps balls off the floor that normally score. Arnott's ability to extend rallies will be crucial against MPB's tempo-driven attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Linton/HMB vs. Our Redeemer's</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one has all the makings of a heavyweight back-row duel. Linton/HMB features <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='843695' first='Makiah' last='Ryckman']</strong>, a libero who plays with high motor and even higher volleyball IQ. Expect Ryckman to command the floor, take the majority of seams, and completely eliminate servant-pressure runs from Our Redeemer's. With her passing in system, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='892162' first='Madisyn' last='Sauter']</strong> can run a clean, well-balanced offense. Sauter loves to spread the ball and will run everything from slides to front-1s to keep ORCS from locking in on any one attacker. On the pin, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='811963' first='Brooklyn' last='Schumacher']</strong> delivers the heat. She scores in tough situations, takes fearless rips in transition, and forces blockers to commit early — which opens up Sauter's entire playbook.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our Redeemer's brings a polished, disciplined system built around its core leaders. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='793651' first='Ellie' last='Streyle']</strong>, the Knights' libero, is one of the most poised defenders in Class B. She rarely gets beat twice, and her serve-receive patterns allow ORCS to stay in rhythm. <strong>Grace Olson</strong>, the setter, thrives when the floor is calm, running smooth tempos and locating well even when her feet aren't perfectly set. Her connection with middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815673' first='Lauren' last='Strom']</strong> will be the storyline to watch — Strom runs fast, hits a heavy ball, and can alter matches with her blocking presence alone. If ORCS controls the net, they can dictate pace against a dangerous Linton/HMB roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Langdon Area-Munich vs. Central McLean</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Langdon enters with firepower at every level, starting with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='883393' first='Taya' last='Feist']</strong>, a middle who brings explosive first-step speed and high-point attacking. Expect Feist to challenge Central McLean's blockers early with tight 1s and quicks that force late commits. On the outside, <strong>Mya Swanson</strong> plays with poise and range — she tools edges, rolls deep corners, and swings confidently out of system. She's the kind of pin who can carry a run if she gets hot. <strong>Emma Hall</strong>, a true pin attacker, rounds out their offensive trio with terminal swings and a physical block that will make Central McLean think twice about attacking line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central McLean's defensive core begins with libero <strong>Emma Fischer</strong>, a stabilizer who handles heat without flinching. She thrives in scrappy moments and will be key in slowing Langdon's diverse offense. Setter <strong>Harpyr Abrahamson</strong> brings creativity — she loves dumping, reversing flow, and attacking the second ball when teams forget she's a threat. Her decision-making will determine how often CM stays in system. On the outside, <strong>Sally Heger</strong> is a competitor who hits sharp angles and isn't afraid to swing through contact. She'll need a strong early rhythm to keep pace with Langdon's front-row pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier vs. Flasher</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>EKM vs. Flasher delivers one of the most intriguing stylistic matchups of the opening round. EKM's offense is fueled by setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='883410' first='Mazie' last='Tjernlund']</strong>, who runs crisp tempo and isn't afraid to push the ball fast to both pins. If she establishes pace early, it will stretch Flasher's block wide. Her go-to connection is with outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831721' first='Elli' last='Lloyd']</strong>, an athlete who thrives in high-volume situations. Lloyd uses smart vision and full-arm swings to score in tight windows, and she becomes especially dangerous in transition. In the middle, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='883413' first='Kalyn' last='Klusmann']</strong> brings length and presence. Expect her to get touches on almost every block and score off slides and overpasses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flasher counters with a well-rounded trio of its own. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='842439' first='Ellie' last='Skretteberg']</strong>, the outside, is a competitor with a live arm and great feel for the block — she scores off high hands and won't hesitate to swing big in long rallies. Setter <strong>Jocelyn Rossow</strong> brings stability and calm to the offense, keeping the ball hittable even when the pass isn't perfect. She'll need to keep Flasher unpredictable to offset EKM's blocking size. In the middle, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='812361' first='Chaskee' last='Schmidt']</strong> provides physicality. She closes blocks well and will try to slow down Lloyd's tempo early while being a threat on front-1s and quick pushes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- 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><em>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!</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->