The Dish: Sectionals Top Frosh and Soph Setters
As section playoffs are heating up this week with quarterfinal and semifinal action set to get started today, we take a look at the top young setters currently leading their teams through the postseason. Several teams rely on young talent…
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Continue ReadingAs section playoffs are heating up this week with quarterfinal and semifinal action set to get started today, we take a look at the top young setters currently leading their teams through the postseason. Several teams rely on young talent to quarterback their offenses with decision-making, precision, and leadership. The following setters have been called upon early in their careers to make a big impact and they are responding, competing like veterans and creating a prep legacy that has multiple years in the making.
Jaidyn Brower
Jaidyn
Brower
5'8" | S
Stewartville | 2021
State
MN
– 5’6, 2021, Stewartville
Probably the most unheralded athlete among the Tigers’ starters given the hype surrounding their multiple attackers. Brower is a steady force for Stewartville in handling the big task of helping these big arms be successful throughout their offense. A 2017 Hiawatha Valley honorable mention all-conference selection, she provides stability for a young, but highly regarded, team. Ranked #2 in class 2A, the Tigers have challenged themselves all season against teams with more experience and depth and have been successful. Their biggest match of the season comes this Thursday as they take on top-ranked Kasson-Mantorville in the Section 1AA semifinals, a team they recently visited and lost to 3-1 for the conference championship.
Maddie Converse
Maddie
Converse
5'10" | S
Kasson-Mantorville | 2022
State
MN
– 5’7, 2022, Kasson-Mantorville
One of the biggest surprises has been the play of Converse and leading the KoMets to a #1 ranking in class 2A and a very realistic shot at the state title in the coming weeks. Stepping in late in pre-season following the departure of a key element from 2017, Converse has risen to the challenge like a veteran. She has a balanced offense around her and ball control that lets her engage her hitters in a variety of ways, which is the reason why Kasson-Mantorville is the Hiawatha Valley Conference champions for 2018 and boast a 28-2 record.
Ryley Frye
Ryley
Frye
5'10" | S
Robbinsdale Armstrong | 2021
State
MN
– 5’8, 2021, Robbinsdale-Armstrong
There is a confidence and maturity in Frye’s contributions that is starting to pay dividends for the Falcons as they are making a push through Section 6AAA with consecutive wins over Bloomington Kennedy (3-0) and Minneapolis Southwest (3-1). They arrive at the semifinals with a 17-13 record, which includes winning five of their last six matches. Frye is a critical piece with her ability to distribute when in or out of system as well as establishing a block that can put pressure on opposing pin hitters. The more she can vary the offense going forward the more success the Falcons will have in their shot at the finals as they face upstart #7 seed Hopkins on Tuesday night.
Kenidi McCabe
Kenidi
McCabe
5'4" | S
Mabel-Canton | 2021
State
MN
– 5’4, 2021, Mabel-Canton
At 29-5 on the season, the Cougars made an early season adjustment to utilize McCabe as the primary setter for an undersized team that relies heavily on ball control and low-error precision to be successful. A Southeast all-conference selection in 2017, she has veteran experience within a tradition-rich program. Her ability to consistently put hitters in a good position to swing is a big reason why Mabel-Canton went undefeated in conference play. As the top seed in Section 1A, the Cougars take on Spring Grove in semifinal action Thursday at Rochester MCA.
Mckinley Schreurs – 5’7, 2021, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton
With an offensive mind as a setter, Schreurs can disrupt defenses with savvy distribution pin to pin as well as identify a point scoring opportunity for herself in sending the ball to the floor off of her own hands. She is a primary reason why the Knights are in the quarterfinals of Section 3A after a big upset win over Yellow Medicine East last week. At 18-9 and with two section wins under their belt, RTR has momentum and are playing well as they prepare for #4 ranked Wabasso on Tuesday at SMSU.
Jasmine Weidemann
Jasmine
Weidemann
5'9" | S
Lakeville South | 2021
State
MN
– 5’7, 2021, Lakeville South
Feisty and competitive is Weidemann, rightfully so when you play for one of the best class 3A teams in the state and are surrounded by a bevy of big hitters and a lot of expectation. At 5’7, she is athletic, can distribute from anywhere on the floor, and can put up a block that helps her defense create a lot of in-system opportunities for her. Her location is precise from pin to pin, which creates great space and opportunity for her hitters to be successful, which makes for a big challenge for any opponent. The Cougars face a very good Northfield team in semifinal action on Wednesday at the Mayo Civic Center.