Omaha Specialty Camp Day 1: A Look at the Setters

OMAHA – Some of the top uncommitted talent in Nebraska and in the Midwest has arrived at Sapp Fieldhouse at the University of Omaha for the Mavericks’ advanced specialty camp for high school players. 

The two-day camp started Wednesday with players spending most of their time working on position-specific courts, which was a great opportunity to see some of the top players side-by-side.

Here is a look at some of the top setters – listed alphabetically by graduation year – that looked really good on Wednesday.

Sami Clarkson – 2019 – Omaha Concordia (Nebraska)

Clarkson is already committed to the Mavericks, so she isn’t exactly under the same pressure as some of the other athletes there looking for scholarships, which has to be a nice feeling. Although, she could easily be working out on the same court as younger players who will one day be looking to take her spot. Clarkson looked good going through position-specific workouts, but really shined during a lunch-time scrimmage with the current Mavericks. Clarkson is a real gammer and has a bright future ahead at Omaha.

Brooke Prochaska – 2019 – Sheyenne High School (North Dakota) 

Prochaska did some really nice things during the course of the day and was easily one of the 10 best setters at the camp. She is probably more of a Division III or NAIA player, but she held her own and was the best setter from North Dakota at the camp.

Ashlyn Dierks – 2020 – Papillion-LaVista South (Nebraska)

Dierks is a little bit of a hybrid player that sets during the club season but plays libero/back row at Papillion-LaVista South because the Titans have Mara LeGrand there for one more year. Dierks has great athleticism and does a really solid job as a setter. She’s a little undersized, but her jumping ability makes up for it when it comes to her blocking. She likely isn’t a Division I setter, but her athleticism and versatility will lead to a really nice college career somewhere.

Allena Shimon – 2020 – Dowling Catholic (Iowa)

Shimon was the best setter on Wednesday from Iowa, coming from the Des Moines area. You can tell she’s well trained and she has really solid technique and a quick release. She also has pretty good size – not ideal for the Division I level – but size that makes her a viable option for a Division II type school or in the right Division I system.

Sydney Sledge – 2021 – Omaha Marian (Nebraska)

Cracking the Omaha Marian varsity roster is not an easy thing to do, and it is certainly rare to think of a sophomore setter seeing the court for the Crusaders, but keep on eye on Sledge. She has good height and delivers a pretty good ball, although she didn’t look as polished as some of the older players on her court. There is a lot of potential in Sledge, though. 

Jasmine Weidemann – 2021 – Lakeville South (Minnesota)

Weidemann is a name to remember because she’s going to be a really good college setter for someone. Some athletes just look like they are moving around the court effortlessly and Weidemann is one of those with good height and good hops as well. Most impressive, though, were her hands and it was really impressive how the ball exploded out of her hands but yet was soft with such little rotation. She’s definitely going to be on the radar of a lot of programs.

Ella Hazen – 2022 – Millard West (Nebraska)

There is a really nice crop of all-around talent in the 2022 class in Nebraska and Hazen is definitely one of the top setters in the state in that class. She doesn’t look like or carry herself like an incoming freshman and showed some really good poise and skill while working with some older players. I would guess she will see some court time for Millard West this fall and could wind up being the best setter that school has produced. 

Abby Schomers – 2022 – Skutt Catholic (Nebraska)

Schomers really has a lot of talent at a young age to go with really good height. She doesn’t have a Division I build to her yet, but that will come and all the other pieces are there for her to wind up being an all-state caliber setter in the near future for the Skyhawks. As she gets stronger and is able to push the ball out quicker and harder, her setting will go from really, really good to excellent. She’s going to be big time.