Going Gauntlet Preview: Northern Lights 16-2

<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 reaching the point where every tournament starts carrying a little more weight, and for Northern Lights 16-2, the Gauntlet comes at the perfect time. With USAV Nationals in Indianapolis quickly approaching and the team preparing for the American Division, this weekend gives the group another chance to sharpen details, battle against strong competition, and continue building confidence before one of the biggest stages of the season.</p>   <p>What really stands out about this roster is how connected they play. The middles stay active in transition, the pins continue competing through long rallies, and the back row consistently works to keep the offense in rhythm. This is not a team relying on one athlete to carry the load. They win points because multiple players understand their role and compete with discipline.</p>   <p>The physicality is there, but the volleyball IQ across the roster may be even more impressive. This group adjusts well mid-match, handles pressure moments with composure, and continues finding ways to create momentum when rallies get chaotic. Heading toward Indy, those little details matter.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='782132' first='Mikayla' last='Buchar'] | Setter</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='782132' first='Mikayla' last='Buchar'] has continued putting together a strong season because of how confidently she controls the offense. She changes tempo well, keeps blockers guessing, and understands how to create opportunities instead of simply delivering the ball. What caught my attention most is how steady she stays when plays break down. Even on tough passes, she still works to keep hitters in rhythm.</p>   <p>She also brings leadership to the floor. You can feel the confidence she gives teammates during pressure moments, and that presence becomes incredibly important late in tournaments.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='746503' first='Peyton' last='Dornfeld'] | Middle</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='746503' first='Peyton' last='Dornfeld'] brings toughness to the middle position and continues making life difficult for opposing hitters at the net. She closes space well defensively and stays disciplined instead of chasing movement too early. That patience allows her to take away cleaner angles and force uncomfortable swings.</p>   <p>Offensively, she continues working hard in transition and stays available even during fast-paced rallies. She competes with a steady edge that shows up point after point.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='756792' first='Madeleine' last='Douah'] | Pin</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='756792' first='Madeleine' last='Douah'] brings explosive energy to the pin and has become a tough matchup because of how aggressive she plays offensively. What I liked most is that she is not relying only on power anymore. She is seeing the court better, recognizing seams, and making smarter decisions with her swings.</p>   <p>Her transition effort also stands out. She keeps working through rallies and stays engaged defensively instead of waiting for the next set. That complete-game mentality becomes huge during long tournament weekends.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Greta Huth | Middle</h2>   <p>Greta Huth continues making an impact because of the pressure she creates at the net. She moves well laterally, stays active blocking, and competes hard every rally. You can see her growing more comfortable reading offenses instead of reacting late to plays.</p>   <p>Offensively, she attacks confidently and gives her setter another reliable option in transition. She also brings energy after big points, and teammates clearly feed off that emotion during matches.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gabrielle Kennedy | Middle</h2>   <p>Gabrielle Kennedy continues developing into a middle who affects matches in multiple ways. Defensively, she works hard to press over the net and take away angles instead of drifting with attackers. Those details make a difference against stronger offenses.</p>   <p>What really grabbed my attention is how active she stays during transition play. Even during chaotic rallies, she continues working to become available offensively. Middles who stay engaged that long into points create a lot of pressure on defenses.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='747233' first='Stephanie' last='Mergens'] | Defense</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='747233' first='Stephanie' last='Mergens'] brings calmness to the back row and continues doing the little things that help teams win. She stays composed in serve receive, absorbs pace well, and works hard to keep first contact clean even against aggressive serving teams.</p>   <p>Defensively, she reads hitters early and never looks rushed. Players like Stephanie become incredibly valuable this time of year because they help settle teams when momentum starts shifting.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Aspen Mullally | Pin</h2>   <p>Aspen Mullally competes with confidence and continues finding ways to impact matches beyond just scoring. She attacks aggressively, but she also understands how to adjust during rallies and use the court intelligently. She is not forcing swings when the block takes options away.</p>   <p>I also like how involved she stays defensively. She competes through transition plays and continues bringing energy no matter the score. Those are the players coaches trust late in matches.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='918393' first='Mirra' last='Nitti'] | Defense</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='918393' first='Mirra' last='Nitti'] plays with defensive urgency that jumps out quickly. She pursues balls aggressively, communicates well, and works hard to extend rallies that look over. Her platform control allows her to handle pace while still keeping the offense organized.</p>   <p>What stood out most is the confidence she brings defensively. Even during pressure situations, she stays aggressive instead of backing off the moment.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='805681' first='Hannah' last='Sellner'] | Pin</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='805681' first='Hannah' last='Sellner'] continues standing out because of how composed she stays offensively. She understands how to score without trying to overpower every ball and does a good job adjusting around blockers. That offensive patience is advanced and allows her to stay efficient during longer rallies.</p>   <p>Her movement off the ball also impressed me. She transitions quickly, stays connected to the offense, and keeps working to become available as a scoring option.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='579548' first='Veda' last='Weber'] | Setter</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='579548' first='Veda' last='Weber'] rounds out this group with another setter capable of controlling tempo and managing the flow of the offense. She stays composed under pressure and continues working to keep hitters involved, even when plays become unpredictable.</p>   <p>One thing I noticed is how calmly she handles broken rallies. Younger setters sometimes panic when things speed up, but Veda still looks to create offense and keep momentum moving forward.</p>   <p>Northern Lights 16-2 looks like a team built for competitive volleyball this time of year. The talent is obvious, but the communication, discipline, and ability to adjust during matches are what really separate this group. They compete hard, stay connected emotionally, and continue finding ways to pressure opponents over long stretches.</p>   <p>The Gauntlet should provide exactly the kind of preparation needed before heading to Indianapolis. With the American Division loaded with talent, teams that can stay composed through momentum swings will have the best chance to make a run.</p>   <p>Northern Lights 16-2 looks more than 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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