Going Gauntlet Preview: Northern Lights 17-2

<p><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><strong>This article was shared with 150+ college coaches.</strong> <strong>Join PrepDig with 30% off using code: <em><strong>digdakotas30</strong></em></strong></a></em></p>   <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</a></em></strong></p>   <p>The season is starting to shift into that point where every tournament feels bigger. Teams are no longer just trying to figure things out. Now it's about sharpening details, building confidence, and preparing for the level of volleyball they are about to face at USAV Nationals. The players continuing to stand out this late in the year are usually the ones who compete with consistency, adjust under pressure, and understand how to impact matches beyond just the stat sheet.</p>   <p>This group has done exactly that all season long.</p>   <p>What makes these athletes intriguing is the way they influence the game in different ways. Some control tempo offensively. Some stabilize the back row when momentum starts swinging. Others create problems at the net with physicality, vision, and high-level decision making. The common factor between all of them is volleyball IQ. They understand situations, they compete through pressure, and they continue finding ways to make their teams better.</p>   <p>Going Gauntlet weekend feels like another important step before Nationals. The competition will be stronger, the pressure will rise, and these are the moments where players either blend in or separate themselves. Expect this group to continue making noise.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='807864' first='Avery' last='Beckering'] | Pin</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='807864' first='Avery' last='Beckering'] continues to put together a strong season because of how complete her game has become on the pin. She does not rely on just power to score. What grabbed my attention is how comfortable she looks making adjustments mid-rally. I've watched her see the block early, change her angles, tool hands, and still stay aggressive even when the set is not perfect.</p>   <p>She also competes with calmness. The game never seems rushed around her. In serve receive she stays balanced, keeps her platform clean, and gives her offense opportunities to stay in system. Those details matter heading into Nationals because matches get physical fast, and teams need outside hitters who can handle pressure without letting the moment speed them up.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='822465' first='Aurianna' last='Benshoof'] | Middle</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='822465' first='Aurianna' last='Benshoof'] has quietly become one of the more impactful middles to watch because she influences so much more than just offense. She works hard laterally across the net and does a good job reading hitters before they fully commit to swings. You can see the growth in her blocking timing and hand positioning compared to earlier in the season.</p>   <p>Offensively, she continues staying available in transition and gives her setter reliable options even during broken plays. That matters at this stage of the year because rallies become chaotic against stronger competition. Some middles disappear when the offense gets out of rhythm. Aurianna keeps working for points anyway. Her motor and awareness allow her to stay involved from start to finish.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='461571' first='Kendall' last='Dahlen'] | Defense</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='461571' first='Kendall' last='Dahlen'] brings the type of steady back-row presence teams need late in the season. She does not panic when teams start serving aggressively, and her platform control continues standing out. I've watched her absorb pace well while still delivering passes that keep hitters available in transition.</p>   <p>Defensively, she reads hitters early and stays disciplined with positioning. A lot of defenders rely only on reaction speed. Kendall plays with anticipation. She tracks shoulders, communicates constantly, and works hard to keep rallies alive. Players like this become incredibly valuable during Nationals because they help settle teams when momentum starts swinging.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='396879' first='Payten' last='Diekmann'] | Setter</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='396879' first='Payten' last='Diekmann'] has had a strong season because she understands how to manage an offense instead of simply distributing the ball. She plays with confidence, but she also plays with purpose. I've watched her hold blockers with her eyes, create tempo changes, and put hitters in positions where they can score cleanly.</p>   <p>What really stands out is how she handles out-of-system moments. A lot of setters become predictable when passes drift off the net. Payten still looks to create offense. She understands when to push tempo, when to slow things down, and when to take smart risks. You can tell she sees the floor well. Heading toward Nationals, that decision making becomes even more important.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brooke Dusek | Pin</h2>   <p>Brooke Dusek brings physicality to the pin, but the biggest growth in her game this season has been how smart she has become offensively. She is no longer just swinging hard and hoping for points. She is seeing seams better, making smarter shot decisions, and staying composed during long rallies.</p>   <p>One thing I really noticed is her transition work. She does not stay frozen after first contact. Brooke resets quickly, stays engaged, and continues working to become an option offensively. You can feel the energy she brings to the court, especially when momentum shifts. Those types of players are huge during long tournament weekends.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='455612' first='Estella' last='Garcia'] | Defense</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='455612' first='Estella' last='Garcia'] continues proving how important first contact is at a high level. She brings consistency to the back row and gives her team stability in serve receive. Even against tougher servers, she stays under control and works hard to keep the setter in rhythm.</p>   <p>I also like the way she competes defensively. She plays aggressive without looking reckless. Estella tracks hitters well, stays vocal, and does not take plays off. Those little details add up over the course of a match. The players who continue talking, reading, and competing during long rallies are usually the ones helping teams survive pressure moments at Nationals.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='396880' first='Taylor' last='Hagedorn'] | Middle</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='396880' first='Taylor' last='Hagedorn'] has continued trending upward throughout the season, especially at the net. Offensively, she does a great job getting off the floor quickly and attacking before blocks can fully close. Her ability to transition from block to attack has become much cleaner, and it is creating more scoring opportunities for her team.</p>   <p>Defensively, her reads continue improving. I've watched her stay disciplined instead of chasing movement across the net. That patience allows her to close blocks more effectively and take away better angles from hitters. She also brings emotion to the floor, and you can feel teammates feeding off that energy after big points.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='447296' first='Edith' last='Larson'] | Setter</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='447296' first='Edith' last='Larson'] plays the setter position with a calm presence that stands out immediately. She does not force the game. Instead, she understands how to manage tempo based on the flow of the match and what her hitters need from her.</p>   <p>I've really liked the way she handles pressure situations. Even when the pass drifts, she still finds ways to deliver hittable balls and keep her offense connected. Her communication with hitters also stands out. Setters who can keep teammates confident during difficult stretches are incredibly valuable this time of year. Edith brings that steady leadership teams need heading toward Nationals.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='455617' first='McKenna' last='Ressler'] | Middle</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='455617' first='McKenna' last='Ressler'] continues making an impact because of the pressure she creates at the net. She plays aggressively and works hard every rally to stay available offensively. Her transition speed has improved throughout the season, and it allows her to stay involved even during fast-paced points.</p>   <p>Blocking wise, she continues getting better at pressing over the net and taking away space from attackers. Even when she is not recording blocks, she is still affecting swings and forcing hitters into uncomfortable decisions. That physical presence matters against top competition, especially at Nationals where controlling the middle can completely shift matches.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='493712' first='Livia' last='Sathre'] | Pin</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='493712' first='Livia' last='Sathre'] has been one of the more dynamic pins to watch this season because of how versatile she can be offensively. She does not rely on one shot or one scoring pattern. I've watched her adjust well against disciplined blocks, mix up attacks, and stay patient instead of forcing swings.</p>   <p>She also contributes in every phase. Livia competes in serve receive, stays engaged defensively, and brings an all-around presence that keeps her on the floor. Those complete players become incredibly valuable late in the season because they give coaches flexibility in pressure situations. She looks like the type of athlete capable of stepping into a big Nationals moment and completely changing momentum.</p>   <p>As Nationals continues getting closer, this weekend becomes another opportunity for these athletes to sharpen details and continue building confidence against strong competition. The players who separate themselves this time of year are usually the ones who embrace pressure instead of avoiding it.</p>   <p>This group looks ready for that challenge.<em><strong>~Theresa @prepdigdakotas</strong></em></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>In Case You Missed It</strong></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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