Going Gauntlet Preview: Circle City 16 Purple

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">This article was shared with 150+ college coaches. Join PrepDig with 30% off using code: digdakotas30</a>   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</a>   Circle City 16 Purple has already done more than just turn heads this season. They have built a body of work that demands attention. Ranked as the No. 3 Powerhouse and triple qualified for USAV Nationals in the 16 Open division, this is a group that has proven they can compete, adjust, and win in high-level environments. Those results do not come from one hot weekend. They come from consistency, depth, and a team that understands how to handle pressure.   There is a different feel when you watch this group. They are not trying to force the match to go their way. They stay steady, they stay disciplined, and they trust their system. When points extend, they do not rush to end rallies. They stay organized, keep the ball in play, and wait for the right opportunity to take control.   Offensively, the pin group brings a mix of control and firepower. [player_tooltip player_id='586944' first='Blaine' last='Adams'] has developed into a reliable option who understands how to manage swings in different situations. When the ball is in system, she is aggressive. When it is not, she adjusts, keeps the ball high, and avoids giving away points. That kind of decision making is what separates players at this level. [player_tooltip player_id='807856' first='Audrey' last='Utterback'] brings a different tempo. There is speed to her approach, and when she is in rhythm, she is attacking with intent and putting pressure on the block to stay disciplined.   [player_tooltip player_id='880811' first='Gabriella' last='Gilliard'] continues to be one of the more intriguing pieces in this lineup. Playing up in this division as a 2029, she is already showing comfort against size and physicality. She is not backing off swings. She is learning to trust her arm, see the block, and stay aggressive even when the match speeds up. That kind of confidence at a younger age stands out, especially in this division.   Through the middle, [player_tooltip player_id='545993' first='Mckenna' last='Muncy'], [player_tooltip player_id='523245' first='Finley' last='Smith'], and [player_tooltip player_id='575131' first='Jordyn' last='Blair'] give this team structure at the net. Mckenna stays active and continues to make herself available, which forces opposing blockers to respect the middle instead of drifting to the pins. [player_tooltip player_id='523245' first='Finley' last='Smith'] is starting to tighten up her timing, and you can see it in how she closes blocks and takes away space instead of reacting late. [player_tooltip player_id='575131' first='Jordyn' last='Blair'] brings a physical presence and is becoming more comfortable reading the setter and making early moves instead of guessing.   This group is not just there to run quicks. They are working to take away angles, slow down opposing offenses, and create opportunities in transition. When the middle is doing that consistently, it changes how teams have to attack.   [player_tooltip player_id='545996' first='Charlee' last='Groninger'] runs the offense, and this is where the pace of the team really shows. She keeps the ball moving and does a good job understanding when to push tempo and when to settle things down. When passes are clean, she can spread the offense and keep blockers from locking in. When they are not, she still delivers hittable balls that allow her hitters to stay aggressive. There is a calmness to how she plays, especially when rallies get extended.   In the back row, the consistency stands out. [player_tooltip player_id='545987' first='Gabriella' last='Bassett'] controls serve receive and gives the offense a chance to stay in rhythm. [player_tooltip player_id='745189' first='Nora' last='Smith'] covers ground and gets herself into position early, which helps keep plays from breaking down. [player_tooltip player_id='746389' first='Stella' last='Hamood'] adds depth and continues to show she can step in and keep the level steady.   This defensive group does not try to do too much. They keep their platform angles clean, communicate, and focus on giving their team a playable ball. That discipline is a big part of why this team stays competitive in longer matches.   Another thing that jumps out is the energy they bring on the court. This is a group that feeds off each other. Big blocks, aggressive swings, extended rallies—you can feel the momentum building when they start to string points together. They are vocal, they celebrate, and they compete with an edge that keeps pressure on the other side of the net. It is not just controlled volleyball, it is confident volleyball, and when they get rolling, they are tough to slow down.   You can also see the trust across the court. Hitters are not second guessing swings. Setters are not hesitating with decisions. Defenders are trusting their reads and their positioning. That trust allows them to play faster and more confidently.   Heading into The Gauntlet, this is not a team trying to prove they belong. They already have. The ranking and the triple qualification have taken care of that. Now it becomes about continuing to sharpen their game against some of the strongest competition they will see before Nationals.   This is the type of group that does not beat itself. If you are on the other side of the net, you are going to have to earn points. They are going to stay in rallies, force you to take multiple swings, and make you execute under pressure.   For college coaches, this is a team where you can evaluate more than just individual talent. You can see how players operate within a system, how they respond to adversity, and how they compete when the match is tight. Those are the details that matter at the next level.   If you are in the gym during this weekend, this is a court worth finding. Not just because of what they have already accomplished, but because of how they go about it. There is a level of control, discipline, and competitiveness that continues to show up, and that is what makes this group one of the more complete teams heading into The Gauntlet. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">In Case You Missed It</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://prepdig.com/dakotas/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/05/image_5b1fa1.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-987083" /></a></figure>

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