The Setters Who Defined at North Dakota State Volleyball

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>   The North Dakota State Volleyball Championship has always been a stage for attackers to shine, but the true architects of momentum sit behind the scenes — the setters. Across Class AA, Class A, and Class B, this year's championship revealed just how critical tempo, touch, and volleyball IQ are in separating good teams from elite systems. The three-class structure showcased a wide range of styles, from fast-paced offensive conductors to calculated tempo managers, each one shaping the rhythm of their program in a unique way.   In Class AA, the pace was relentless, demanding setters who could control complex offenses while withstanding high-pressure sequences. [player_tooltip player_id='733255' first='Brynlie' last='Richman'] led the entire field with 143 assists, and her style was rooted in command and fluidity. Richman's strength lies in her ability to disguise tempo, delivering smooth location on both pins while maintaining a seamless connection to the middle. Her sets rarely floated — they snapped into space with intent, allowing hitters to stay aggressive without adjusting strides mid-approach.   [player_tooltip player_id='725013' first='Quinn' last='Skari'] followed closely with 131 assists, showcasing a more aggressive, push-the-pace approach. Skari thrives in high-speed systems, favoring quick tempo balls that force blockers to commit early. Her release was sharp and decisive, often accelerating the offensive flow before a defense could settle. It was a setter performance defined by urgency and timing.   [player_tooltip player_id='748825' first='Mackenzie' last='Dufner']'s 110 assists reflected her balanced control of floor spacing. Dufner excels at reading mismatches, adjusting her offense based on block positioning and coverage breakdowns. Her sets carried intentional height — not rushed, but calculated — allowing hitters to see seams and exploit them. She demonstrated exceptional transition awareness, especially when plays broke down.   Hanna Attleson accumulated 104 assists with a rhythm-based style that prioritized consistency. She established tempo early and stuck with it, allowing her hitters to sync their approach patterns throughout the match. That consistency made her offense reliable, especially in extended rallies where decision-making under pressure mattered most.   [player_tooltip player_id='725017' first='Aspen' last='Roaldson'] added versatility with 93 assists, displaying excellent floor vision and a creative mindset in distributing across all attack zones. Her ability to change speeds mid-rally kept defenses guessing and prevented predictable blocking patterns. [player_tooltip player_id='723033' first='Callie' last='Gienger'] and Abby Fosland, with 67 and 66 assists respectively, brought steady execution and composure, particularly in serve-receive transitions where clean first contact led to fast offensive resets.   [player_tooltip player_id='724960' first='Courtney' last='Heiser']'s 72 assists rounded out the AA group with efficient ball placement and smart decision-making, particularly in out-of-system situations where her ability to settle chaos stood out.   Class A highlighted a blend of raw volume and system mastery. Addison Sage dominated with 157 assists, defining herself as the primary engine behind her team's offense. Sage's style emphasized precise footwork and consistent release point, allowing for predictable, repeatable tempo that hitters could trust. Her ball placement sat perfectly in the window, creating high offensive efficiency even under defensive pressure.   [player_tooltip player_id='883400' first='Brynn' last='Lueck'] followed with 115 assists, offering a more aggressive rhythm with faster sets to the antennas. Her floor leadership showed through assertive communication and tempo control, making her offense flow with urgency while still remaining deliberate.   [player_tooltip player_id='801877' first='Hailey' last='Goetz'] impressed with 101 assists, boasting excellent touch and tactical awareness. She frequently manipulated blockers by shifting set direction late, keeping the defense reactive rather than proactive. [player_tooltip player_id='891938' first='Annabel' last='Scheeler']'s 95 assists showed polish and maturity, with a controlled style that emphasized ball location rather than speed, a trait that allowed her team to sustain long offensive sequences.   [player_tooltip player_id='843568' first='Macey' last='Van Inwagen'] contributed 81 assists through clean fundamentals and organized floor management, while [player_tooltip player_id='724938' first='Ella' last='Flaten'] and [player_tooltip player_id='749982' first='Abby' last='Kobbervig'], with 64 and 63 respectively, added reliability and stability, executing systems built around controlled tempo and smart shot creation.   [player_tooltip player_id='741473' first='Reagan' last='Trudell'] rounded out the A division setters with 58 assists, bringing a calm presence and steady release that ensured her attackers could stay within rhythm even during momentum swings.   In Class B, the artistry of setting took on an entirely different texture — systems heavily reliant on adaptability and volleyball instinct. [player_tooltip player_id='892162' first='Madisyn' last='Sauter'] topped the division with 150 assists, commanding the court with smart pacing and excellent spatial awareness. Her ability to adjust tempo from quick attacks to high outside sets kept opposing defenses scrambling.   Lainy Haraseth followed closely with 135 assists, playing with a natural ability to read coverage and exploit defensive gaps. Her sets were crisp yet forgiving, giving hitters room to operate without sacrificing pace. [player_tooltip player_id='724976' first='Violet' last='Bohl'] delivered 129 assists with a dual-threat presence, blending setting precision with defensive contribution, showing control across all three phases of play.   Grace Olson's 121 assists highlighted her efficiency and reliability. She executed with a consistent hand position and balanced release, maintaining tempo even under heavy serve pressure. Kemi Morstad's 117 assists reflected her adaptability, efficiently running both quick attack patterns and slower, high-percentage sets.   [player_tooltip player_id='883410' first='Mazie' last='Tjernlund'] added 102 assists through smart placement and transition awareness, while Jocelyn Rossow and Avery Cree brought stability and efficiency, showcasing fundamental setting technique and communication. Avery Cree's 62 assists demonstrated controlled execution in a system that valued accuracy and ball security.   What stood out across all three classes was how each setter embodied the identity of their program. Class AA showcased high-speed systems fueled by dynamic floor generals. Class A balanced power and precision with strategic execution. Class B emphasized creativity, adaptability, and rhythm-based control.   These setters were more than assist leaders — they were conductors, tempo setters, and emotional anchors. Their hands orchestrated the flow, their decisions set the tone, and their ability to command the floor shaped the championship environment. In every division, the story of the tournament cannot be told without recognizing the setters who turned strategy into rhythm and rhythm into victories.   The three-class system didn't just highlight difference in size or depth — it revealed the diversity of how the game can be controlled, elevated, and mastered from the most influential spot on the court. And at this year's state championship, the setters didn't just distribute the ball — they owned the moment.   <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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