SD Class A State Volleyball: Day One Preview and Impact Players

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: digdakotas30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</a>   There is nothing quite like State Week in South Dakota. The atmosphere is unmatched—student sections bursting with school colors, pep bands shaking the rafters, and fan bases that travel as if the entire town closed early just to make the trip. Class A volleyball thrives on this energy. The intensity picks up the moment teams step on the floor, and every dig, every run of serves, every transition swing is magnified.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/image_0f3066.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-907187" /></figure>   Day One of the Class A State Tournament offers elite matchups, high-level volleyball IQ, and players capable of completely controlling the tone of a match. Here's what to expect in each opening-round battle and which athletes will make an immediate impact.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Dakota Valley vs. Wagner</h1>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dakota Valley</h3>   Madelyn Munch – Setter Munch is the conductor of Dakota Valley's offense—calm, efficient, and always two steps ahead of the block. She runs a fast-tempo system that forces middle blockers into constant movement. Expect her to establish the pins early, disguise her dumps late, and use the back row attack to stretch Wagner's defensive zones. When matches tighten, Munch's decision-making becomes one of Dakota Valley's biggest weapons.   [player_tooltip player_id='389837' first='Claire' last='Munch'] – Outside Claire brings the heavy heat from the left pin. She elevates cleanly and hits with both pace and precision. Her ability to score in transition makes her a problem for defenses who don't get their middles off the net fast enough. Expect her to mix high-hands, deeper corner shots, and cross-body swings—she's not a one-gear outside. Claire's mindset is just as strong as her arm; she thrives in front of loud, electric crowds.   [player_tooltip player_id='389842' first='Samantha' last='Kimbell'] – Outside Kimbell is the steadying force on the opposite side. She's a skilled six-rotation weapon who contributes significantly in serve-receive. Offensively, she scores with range—especially tooling blockers who drift inside. Her back-row defense helps Dakota Valley stay in system and allows Munch to run her entire menu. Day One could be the match where Kimbell's two-way consistency shines brightest.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wagner</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='796127' first='Libby' last='Kotab'] – Libero Kotab controls the Red Raiders' back court like a seasoned field general. She keeps her platform stable through pace and reads early—anticipating tips, roll shots, and back-row attacks before they develop. Dakota Valley's powerful outsides will test Wagner's floor coverage, and Kotab's ability to anchor long rallies will dictate how competitive this match becomes.   [player_tooltip player_id='892497' first='Braxton' last='Nedved'] – Setter Nedved brings creativity and tempo variation. She isn't afraid to feed her outside hitters early and often, and she loves running plays that force opposing blockers into hesitation. She uses the middle well to keep swings balanced. Expect her to challenge Dakota Valley's defense with quick mismatches and occasional setter dumps if the block shows seams.   [player_tooltip player_id='832605' first='Hannah' last='Holzbauer'] – Outside Holzbauer is Wagner's firepower. She takes big, fearless swings and has the athleticism to score from both pins when rotations require it. Expect her to face a heavy, disciplined block, but she has the ability to use high hands and sharp cross to still find kills. For Wagner to push for an upset, Holzbauer's offensive consistency will be the spark.   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Clark/Willow Lake vs. Hamlin</h1>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Clark/Willow Lake</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='799996' first='Zoey' last='Helkenn'] – Libero Helkenn is a defensive anchor with superb reaction time. She reads the attacker's shoulder well and keeps Clark/Willow Lake in system even on tough digs. Against Hamlin's fast-paced attack, Helkenn's serve-receive stability is essential—her ability to neutralize tough servers will keep C/WL competitive.   Zoe Nichols – Setter Nichols runs a clean, balanced offense. She distributes well, using both pins and keeping her middle involved in transition. Her consistency allows hitters to take aggressive swings without second-guessing timing. Expect Nichols to quicken the tempo to counter Hamlin's athletic outsides and look for scoring opportunities with her setter dump when the defense drifts.   Shelby Begeman – Middle Begeman is the defensive presence at the net that Clark/Willow Lake depends on. She closes blocks effectively and forces opponents to hit into smaller windows. Offensively, she scores with quicks and is particularly strong at finding holes against single blockers. Her matchup against Hamlin's six-rotation attackers is one of the most important of the day.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hamlin</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='828780' first='Addie' last='Neuendorf'] – Outside (6-Rotation) Neuendorf is one of the most complete players in the Class A field. She terminates from all six zones, passes with poise, and plays floor defense at a high level. Expect her to take a massive swing load and be the first option out of system. If Neuendorf gets hot early, Hamlin's entire offense opens up.   Issie Steffensen – Setter Steffensen is the engine behind Hamlin's fast-tempo system. She handles pressure well, moves the ball quickly pin-to-pin, and makes it hard for blockers to form clean reads. Her ability to isolate Begeman could create major advantages for Hamlin's outsides. Steffensen's tempo control will be a focal point in this match.   Jade Thue – Outside Thue brings a second wave of offense that makes Hamlin dangerous. She hits with power but also has a deceptive roll shot that punishes teams who drop their defenders too deep. Her back-row attack adds a layer that Clark/Willow Lake must respect. If Thue finds rhythm early, Hamlin becomes extremely tough to slow down.   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Dell Rapids vs. Rapid City Christian</h1>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dell Rapids</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='759549' first='Alaina' last='Wolff'] – Libero Wolff brings energy and precision to Dell Rapids' back court. She has excellent lateral range and pops balls up that look unplayable. Her serve-receive accuracy allows Dell Rapids to run middle tempo, and her communication steadies the floor when matches get tense. Expect Wolff to be the anchor that keeps Dell Rapids in long rallies.   [player_tooltip player_id='885389' first='Tenley' last='Anderson'] – Setter Anderson leads with confidence and a high volleyball IQ. She runs an offense that utilizes multiple angles and adjusts well to defensive matchups. She loves establishing her middles early to open up her outsides later. Against RCC, Anderson's ability to vary tempo will be key in disrupting their block timing.   [player_tooltip player_id='835393' first='Madelynn' last='Henry'] – Outside Henry provides firepower from the left pin. She attacks hard cross but has a smooth line shot when defenses shift. Her competitiveness shows in clutch moments—she doesn't shy away from taking the big swings. Expect her to be heavily involved early in establishing momentum for Dell Rapids.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rapid City Christian</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='817097' first='Miley' last='Johnson'] – Middle Johnson brings size, quickness, and blocking IQ to RCC's front line. She takes efficient routes transitioning from block-to-attack and runs the slide especially well. Her presence could force Dell Rapids to adjust their shot selection. Johnson's net control will be one of the defining factors in this matchup.   [player_tooltip player_id='797630' first='Paisley' last='Griffith'] – Libero Griffith is a technician—clean angles, disciplined footwork, and solid reading skills. She's a major reason RCC stays calm in out-of-system rallies. Expect Griffith to take a huge portion of serve-receive and be key in slowing Henry's heavy-arm offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='753593' first='Adi' last='Egge'] – Setter Egge is the smooth distributor who keeps RCC's hitters in rhythm. She runs a balanced attack and excels at locating the hot hand. If she establishes Johnson early and then feeds her pins in rhythm, RCC's offense will be difficult to contain.   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Sioux Falls Christian vs. St. Thomas More</h1>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sioux Falls Christian</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='765219' first='Jasmine' last='Vander Haar'] – Libero Vander Haar is one of the most polished liberos in the Class A field. She reads plays early and controls the back court with absolute confidence. Sioux Falls Christian runs fast tempo, and Vander Haar's clean first contact is what makes it possible. Expect her to keep the floor calm and in system throughout Day One.   [player_tooltip player_id='760378' first='Camdyn' last='Mulder'] – Outside Mulder is the high-impact left-side terminator. She elevates explosively and scores through seams with power. Her ability to hit off-speed effectively makes her incredibly difficult to defend. Mulder will be tested by STM's disciplined middles—but if she finds her rhythm, the Chargers roll.   [player_tooltip player_id='746005' first='Ella' last='Fluth'] – Outside Fluth brings versatility to the offense. She can swing with heat, go high-hands, or drop a sharp shot when the block closes. Her serve is also a major weapon. Sioux Falls Christian will use her in rotations where they need steady point production and defensive reliability.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">St. Thomas More</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='816445' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432170' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432088' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431000' first='Madison' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='Boyum'] – Middle Boyum is physical at the net and challenges hitters with a well-pressed block. She runs fast-tempo quicks and can score off transition when STM controls the serve game. Boyum's ability to slow Mulder and Fluth will be the matchup to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='749243' first='Leighton' last='Scherr'] – Middle Scherr complements Boyum with strong lateral movement and hard swings off the 31. She forces blockers to stay honest and helps create spacing for STM's pins. If she gains momentum early, STM could disrupt SFC's rhythm.   [player_tooltip player_id='793909' first='Enna' last='Henry'] – Setter Henry leads STM with poise and competitive fire. She distributes with balance and has a smart feel for when to speed up or slow down the offense. Expect her to test SFC's middles early and use her awareness to find scoring gaps late in rallies.   <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

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