2026 Senior Class: Impact Beyond Stats

<!-- 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>Every season, a select group of seniors step onto the court and redefine what it means to be a pin hitter. They take the toughest swings, handle out-of-system chaos, steady their teams in high-pressure rotations, and bring leadership that doesn't show up on a stat sheet. This senior class delivered all of that—and more. These are athletes who embraced the grind, elevated their teammates, and played the pin position with grit, intelligence, and presence. As scouts, we value not just production, but the way a player impacts every possession, every huddle, and every moment. This group stood out because they did all of it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763783' first='Jada' last='Cameron'] – Outside Hitter – Wilmot</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='763783' first='Jada' last='Cameron'] was the definition of a six-rotation stabilizer, the athlete coaches trusted when the game tilted tight. Her platform was one of the cleanest we saw this year—calm, quiet, disciplined—and she turned first contact into a weapon for Wilmot. Offensively, her arm swing was fast and efficient, thriving in both pin and back-row attacks. Jada understood the flow of a match better than most, choosing smart swings, tooling the block when needed, and finding deep corners in transition. What elevated her even more was her leadership. She spoke life into her teammates, modeled composure, and never once backed down from the biggest moments. She was steady, reliable, and the heartbeat of Wilmot's attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839939' first='Karlie' last='Ingalls'] – Right Side/Outside – Dell Rapids</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few seniors embraced versatility like [player_tooltip player_id='839939' first='Karlie' last='Ingalls']. Slot her on the right, move her to the left, run her in a 6-2—didn't matter. Karlie performed. Her presence on the right side became Dell Rapids' defensive anchor, shutting down cross-court tendencies and reading setters at a high level. She attacked with a heavy ball, especially effective in front-of-the-setter quicks and high-hands swings. What we loved most was her willingness to carry tough rotations; Karlie thrived in out-of-system situations and became the safety valve her team leaned on. She played with maturity, humility, and a team-first mindset that made her invaluable both on and off the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Victoria O'Toole – Outside Hitter – Tri-Valley</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Victoria O'Toole brought a different energy to the floor—fierce competitiveness. She played like every point mattered, every ball was hers to win, and every rally was an opportunity to shift momentum. Her transition footwork was elite, allowing her to get up on tempo even when the play broke down. She could take a rip down the line, hammer seam, or mix in a well-timed roll shot to expose holes in coverage. Defensively, she was fearless, often putting her body on the floor to keep rallies alive. But what stood out the most? Her fire. Victoria elevated Tri-Valley with emotion, passion, and a contagious intensity that made everyone around her play bigger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='765216' first='Ellie' last='Thury'] – Outside Hitter – Watertown</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When we talk about pins who quietly take over matches, we mean athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='765216' first='Ellie' last='Thury']. She didn't need flash—she relied on pure consistency. Ellie passed with precision, kept Watertown in-system, and allowed setters to run the offense they wanted. Her approach was smooth, her arm swing repeatable, and her placement surgical. Ellie excelled in long rallies—her conditioning and mental stamina allowed her to out-last opponents with smart, intentional swings. She also embodied what it means to be a great teammate: supportive, steady, and always locked into the next play. Coaches love players like Ellie because they make your team better in every single phase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Elsie Oedekoven – Outside Hitter – Central Lyon</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elsie Oedekoven was one of the most dynamic athletes on this list. Her jump was electric, her arm fast, and her ability to create angles from the pin made her nearly impossible to defend in one-on-one situations. She thrived hitting off speed to score, then turning around and hammering a ball on the next rally to keep blockers guessing. Defensively, her reading ability stood out—she anticipated hitters' tendencies and put herself in elite digging positions. But the intangible piece that separated her was her authenticity. She led with positivity, confidence, and a genuine care for her team. Elsie had the rare ability to elevate both the skill level and the spirit of Central Lyon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829565' first='Anna' last='Hirtz'] – Outside/Right Side – Watertown</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='829565' first='Anna' last='Hirtz'] played the pins like a technician. Her understanding of block timing, hand positioning, and attack strategy was next-level. Watertown used her versatility to stretch defenses, running her both right and left to create mismatches. Her line shot from the right side became a signature weapon this season. Anna also excelled in serve-receive patterns, handling high-pressure serves with poise. What we appreciated most was her volleyball IQ—she processed the game early, adjusted quickly, and played with purpose in every rotation. Her communication and leadership added another layer of strength to Watertown's identity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831904' first='Emma' last='Balvin'] – Outside Hitter – Bon Homme</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='831904' first='Emma' last='Balvin'] brought one of the most physical presences to the court this season. Her ability to hit high, hard, and heavy made her a true go-to attacker for Bon Homme. She thrived in tight matches where her team needed a point-scorer who could terminate through big blocks. Emma's blocking was just as impactful—disciplined hands, strong presses, and great lateral movement. She also carried herself with a calm confidence that settled her younger teammates. Her leadership was steady, positive, and grounded, the type of presence that makes a program stronger long after a senior class graduates. Emma played with heart, and it showed in every swing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828780' first='Addie' last='Neuendorf'] – Outside Hitter – Hamlin</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='828780' first='Addie' last='Neuendorf'] delivered one of the most complete senior seasons we saw. Six rotations, all phases, all match long—Addie was built for the workload. Her ball control was polished, and her platform angles in serve-receive gave Hamlin the consistency needed to run tempo. Offensively, she attacked with range, reading blockers well and scoring with both power and finesse. Addie's poise separated her; even when matches tightened, she stayed level-headed and focused on execution. She also embodied everything we love in leaders—accountability, competitiveness, and the ability to connect with her team. Addie played the game with respect, intention, and a maturity that made her a standout in this senior class.</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 -->