Creighton Academy Camp: A Look at the Setters and Middles

OMAHA – Roughly 70 volleyball players took to the courts at Creighton University on Monday for the first day of the Creighton Academy Camp for advanced-level high school players.

There were several standout performers among the group, which included some players already committed to Creighton and some of the top uncommitted players in the area. Here is a look at some of the standout performances from setters and middles today. Tomorrow we will focus on pin hitters and liberos.

Bailey Shearer, 2019, 5’7, Setter, Gretna (Nebraska)

Shearer was easily one of the better setters in camp on Monday, and it’s still a little stunning to me that a player of her caliber is still looking for a college home. She had 917 assists, 227 digs and 50 kills last year running the show for one of the top Class B teams in the state. She might lack ideal size for a program that wants to run a 5-1, but she has tremendous athleticism and has improved yearly. She’s going to make a really good late addition to their recruiting class for 2019.

Kiana Schmitt, 2019, 6’2, MB, Waunakee (Wisconsin)

Schmitt is the #2 overall prospect in the 2019 class in Wisconsin and she was very impressive on Monday. She’s long, athletic and has a solid frame and she moves well at the net. She has already committed to the Bluejays. She also considered Louisville, Dayton and Boston College, among others. She was an absolute force at the net during competition. Rein

Allison Van Eekeren, 2019, 5’11, Setter, Benet Adcademy (Illinois)

Van Eekeren is another player in the 2019 Creighton recruiting class that was impressive on Monday. Unless something changes, she’s in line to potentially start as a sophomore for the Bluejays with both of Creighton’s current setters being juniors. Van Eekeren has nice size and is a good leaper and sets a really nice ball. She has battled through some injury issues in the past few months, but she looked in pretty good form on Monday.

Katie Maser, 2020, 5’9, Setter, Grand Island Central Catholic (Nebraska)

Maser spent the past two days leading Grand Island Central Catholic to a very good showing at the Omaha team camp and was among the top five setters on Monday. Her hands are pretty much as good as anyone’s and she did some nice things defensively during drills and competition. She also fits in perfectly with Creighton’s culture. 

Kiara Reinhardt, 2020, 6’3, MB, Cedarburg (Wisconsin)

Reinhardt and Schmitt could almost be twin sisters and they have a very similar style and game. Reinhardt is committed to Creighton and is the #3 overall prospect in Wisconsin’s 2020 class. Reinhardt is very fluid in her movements and is very active at the net. She demonstrated the ability to really drop the hammer and to close out well on the pins.

Kendra Wait, 2021, 5’11, Setter, Gardner-Edgerton (Kansas)

Quite possibly the best setter in the nation in the 2021 class, Wait was as good as advertised on Monday. She has all the characteristics you look for in a big-time setter. She moves effortlessly, has great anticipation and ability to get her feet where they need to be and delivers a really nice ball. She’s athletic and, according to those who know, her leadership skills are off the charts. She’s got what it takes to be a really special player at Creighton. 

Rebekah Allick, 2022, 6’1, MH, Lincoln North Star (Nebraska)

So, I watched Allick some during the past club season and then have watched her quite a bit during the Nebraska individual camp, the Omaha team camp and now at the Creighton Academy Camp. Let me just say this as plainly as possible – Allick can pretty much pick any college program she wants in the nation. She’s that good. I’ve written it before, but it is worth repeating that Allick is said to be a top target of at least one major Pac-12 program. And, while I have absolutely no information that indicates it one way or another, I would have a really, really, really hard time believing that she won’t have offers from Nebraska and Creighton. She’s an absolute freak that can jump out of the gym and the ball simply explodes off her hand.

Abby Schomers, 2022, 5’10, Setter, Skutt Catholic (Nebraska)

Schomers looks like a freshman, but she sure doesn’t play like one. She also performed well at the Omaha individual camp and did so again on Monday at Creighton. She has worlds of potential and has the athleticism and length that coaches love and is fully capable of running a 5-1 college program in the future. As her body catches up to her game, she is going to improve by leaps and bounds and has the potential to be one of the best setters in the Midwest.