Final 2026 Rankings: Seniors Who Made the Biggest Impact-Part One

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>   One year ago, we stepped into Prep Dig Dakotas with nothing but a vision—and everything since then has been full throttle. The class of 2026 has been the heartbeat of that journey. This group isn't just talented; they're defining what it means to compete, to evolve, and to carry the weight of expectations while still rising above it.   Every athlete in these rankings represents something bigger than numbers on a stat sheet. These are full-package players—skill, leadership, grit, presence, and the ability to shift momentum the moment they step on the court. This class is special, and their impact has pushed our coverage into a new gear.   Let's take a look at part one of the final Top 10 ranked in the state—an evaluation built through the eyes of a team of scouts, coaches, and analysts who have watched these athletes closely, challenged their ceiling, and assessed their growth over time.   These rankings aren't just earned. They're proven.    [player_tooltip player_id='536783' first='Gabi' last='Zachariasen'] isn't just one of the most decorated athletes to ever come out of South Dakota—she's the rare player whose accolades, impact, and and character all match the same elite standard.   A two-time Gatorade South Dakota Volleyball Player of the Year(the 2025 winner will be announced next month), Zachariasen closed her high school career with 1,802 kills, 924 digs, 171 aces, and 122 blocks, leading Harrisburg to an extraordinary four straight state championships. Her production, consistency, and ability to take over matches made her one of the most dominant high-school outsides in the entire country.   Her résumé is unmatched:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>2025 MaxPreps First Team All-American</li>   <li>2025 AVCA Second Team All-American</li>   <li>2024 MaxPreps All-American Second Team</li>   <li>MaxPreps Junior All-American Team</li>   <li>3× MaxPreps South Dakota Player of the Year</li>   <li>Prep Dig Nationally Ranked No. 92</li>   <li>2× Argus Leader Super Six Player of the Year</li>   <li>2× South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year</li>   <li>3× First Team All-State</li>   <li>4× All-Tournament Team</li>   <li>3× ESD All-Conference</li>   <li>3× Metro All-Conference</li>   <li>Midco Player of the Year</li>   <li>Prep Dig ND: #1 Overall Player & #1 Outside Hitter in South Dakota (Class of 2026)</li> </ul>   Yet despite the trophies, records, and national recognition, Gabi remains one of the kindest, most humble athletes you'll meet. She's the player who celebrates her teammates first, signs autographs for younger athletes after matches, and treats everyone in the gym—from coaches to opponents to fans—with genuine respect. Her humility is just as defining as her swing.   On the court, she plays with a veteran presence—terminal at the pins, composed in high-pressure moments, and a leader in every rotation. Off the court, she is grounded, team-oriented, and mature beyond her years.   [player_tooltip player_id='536783' first='Gabi' last='Zachariasen'] is the complete package: a generational-level talent with the mindset, character, and work ethic that college programs build cultures around. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   Gabi's Interview Last Season:<a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/02/gabi-zachariasen-and-her-journey-to-university-of-south-dakota/"> https://prepdig.com/2025/02/gabi-zachariasen-and-her-journey-to-university-of-south-dakota/</a>     Some players run an offense. [player_tooltip player_id='725181' first='Lily' last='Van Hal'] transforms one.   Across her high school career, Lily established herself as one of the most complete, polished, and impactful setters South Dakota has produced. She leaves behind a legacy built on production, leadership, and a level of competitiveness that elevated every teammate who shared the court with her. She is a 3x STATE Champ!   Her career numbers are nothing short of remarkable:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>3,258 Assists – elite volume paired with efficiency and tempo control</li>   <li>1,583 Kills – a setter who attacked like a true offensive threat</li>   <li>1,656 Digs – proving her value as a six-rotation defensive anchor</li>   <li>484 Aces – one of the most dangerous servers in the state, year after year</li> </ul>   Very few setters graduate with over 1,500 kills, 1,600 digs, and nearly 500 aces—because very few setters impact all phases of the game like Lily did.   As the Prep Dig No. 2 Overall Prospect in South Dakota and No. 1 Setter, Lily consistently set the standard for her position. Whether running a fast-ball offense, breaking down a block, or taking over from the service line, she brought a level of stability and poise coaches crave.   Her résumé reflects years of dominance:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>3× First Team All-State</li>   <li>3× State All-Tournament Team</li>   <li>3× ESD All-Conference</li>   <li>Metro All-Conference</li>   <li>1,000-assist multiple seasons</li>   <li>2025 National Champion with Kairos</li>   <li>Four-year varsity standout and program leader</li> </ul>   Lily's consistency was matched by her character. Coaches around the region describe her as steady, humble, and deeply team-oriented, the type of setter who leads without needing attention and competes without needing praise. She reads the floor like a veteran, connects hitters into rhythm, and handles pressure with surgical calmness.   Now committed to the University of Denver, Lily steps into the next chapter with a toolbox already designed for collegiate success—precision hands, floor vision, serve pressure, backcourt reliability, and the competitive maturity to run a high-level offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='725181' first='Lily' last='Van Hal'] didn't just leave her mark on South Dakota volleyball. She defined what elite setting looks like in her class—and raised the bar for every young setter watching. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   Lily's Interview Last Season: <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/01/lily-van-hal-and-her-journey-to-university-of-denver/">https://prepdig.com/2025/01/lily-van-hal-and-her-journey-to-university-of-denver/</a>     Few athletes embody the full package the way [player_tooltip player_id='389837' first='Claire' last='Munch'] does. A standout for Dakota Valley (SD), Munch has built a résumé that speaks to long-term consistency, big-match competitiveness, and an upward trajectory that makes her one of South Dakota's most reliable high-impact hitters in recent years.   Across her high school career, she compiled 1,761 kills, 1,312 digs, and 208 aces—numbers that underscore her ability to score, defend, and influence the game in every phase. Her 2025 season alone was elite:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>561 kills</li>   <li>77 aces</li>   <li>317 digs</li> </ul>   That performance propelled her to South Dakota Class A First-Team All-State honors and the prestigious Dak-XII Conference MVP award, placing her among the state's most complete and impactful offensive players.   Munch's honors extend well beyond postseason hardware. She is a multi-year First Team All-Conference selection, an all-area standout, and has consistently been recognized by coaches and media for her all-around influence and competitive presence.   Her club résumé is equally impressive. Competing with MVP Volleyball Club, Munch helped capture AAU national championships at both the 15U and 16U levels, further highlighting her ability to thrive against national-level competition and adapt to high-speed, high-pressure environments.   Prep Dig has recognized her impact and talent, ranking her No. 3 overall in South Dakota and No. 2 outside hitter, reflecting her dominance on the court and her status as a player every college coach should be tracking.   One of the most compelling aspects of Munch's game is her balance of power and reliability. She attacks with purpose, keeps her game clean in transition, and defends well enough to stay on the floor in all six rotations. Her volleyball IQ and competitive maturity shine through every contact.   Already committed, Munch will join the University of Northern Iowa Panthers in the Class of 2026, where her production, dependability, and work ethic project extremely well to the collegiate level. UNI is getting a poised, humble, and highly coachable athlete with the résumé—and the mindset—of a long-term contributor.   In every measurable way—statistics, accolades, rankings, leadership, and consistency—[player_tooltip player_id='389837' first='Claire' last='Munch'] is as complete as they come. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='725179' first='Kali' last='Reiners'] isn't just a setter—she's the heartbeat of her team. At Spearfish High School, she has built a career defined by leadership, consistency, and the ability to elevate everyone around her. Coaches and teammates alike describe her as a calm, communicative, and selfless floor general who makes everyone better on every touch.   Over her high school career, Reiners compiled 2,879 assists, 152 kills, 1,024 digs, and 203 aces, proving she can impact the game in every rotation. She isn't just distributing the ball—she's controlling tempo, keeping hitters in system, and making sure her teammates are in positions to succeed.   Prep Dig has recognized her dominance, ranking her No. 4 overall in South Dakota and the No. 2 setter in the state, a testament to both her technical skill and the influence she has on her team's performance.   On the court, she excels at:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Precision ball placement, giving hitters multiple options to attack</li>   <li>High-IQ decision-making, adjusting tempo and sets on the fly</li>   <li>Defensive reliability, with over 1,000 digs to anchor her team in transition</li>   <li>Serving pressure, adding over 200 aces to create opportunities</li>   <li>Offensive versatility, stepping up to score when the team needs it</li> </ul>   What truly separates Kali is how she lifts her teammates. She communicates relentlessly, celebrates others' successes first, and keeps her team focused under pressure. Opponents notice her skill—but her teammates feel her leadership. Her poise, competitiveness, and selfless mentality make her a cornerstone for any program.   Reiners has earned a commitment to Chadron State University, where she will continue to bring her high-level floor generalship, versatility, and team-first mentality to the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='725179' first='Kali' last='Reiners'] is the full package: a setter, a leader, and a teammate who doesn't just run an offense—she defines her team's culture and lifts everyone on the court with her. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     Few players influence a game like [player_tooltip player_id='764763' first='Lindsay' last='Langner'], the defensive cornerstone for the Harrisburg Tigers. As a Libero/Defensive Specialist, she combines relentless energy, court awareness, and a team-first mentality to control the back row and set the tone for her squad.   Across her high school career, Langner compiled 891 digs and 126 aces, consistently demonstrating her ability to read hitters, anticipate attacks, and neutralize opponents' offense. Her 2025 season alone highlighted her dominance with 445 digs and 50 aces, earning her Second Team Class AA All-State honors and reinforcing her reputation as one of South Dakota's premier defensive players.   Langner's contributions extend beyond the stat sheet. She has been a key part of four state championship teams with Harrisburg, anchoring each back row and serving as a calming, communicative presence in high-pressure moments. Her consistency, reliability, and leadership make her a player who elevates everyone around her.   Her skill set includes:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Elite serve-receive and defensive coverage, controlling the backcourt and keeping the offense in system</li>   <li>Pressure serving, creating scoring opportunities and disrupting opponents' rotations</li>   <li>Court intelligence and communication, guiding teammates and maintaining rhythm on both sides of the net</li>   <li>Versatility and consistency, performing at a high level in all rotations she touches</li> </ul>   Now committed to the University of Winthrop, Langner brings her high volleyball IQ, competitive drive, and team-first mentality to the collegiate level. She is the kind of libero who not only fills the stat sheet but also shapes her team's identity, leadership, and culture. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas    <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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