Top Setters Shine In Asics Challenge

Many of you may just be getting into Prep Dig Illinois.  What we do is write about athletes of all levels and highlight their play at matches all...year...long.  High school and club. Plenty of times we’ll break a position down by position. This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be at the ASICS Challenge held at Mother McAuley.  With three different sites, we try to divide and conquer, but these are the setters I was able to see live throughout the weekend. So impressive. From how they contribute to their teams in a different way, but one common denominator is how they are involved in every play and doing something that is getting their team trending in the right direction.  Here are a few from the Asics Challenge

London Hatch - Marian Catholic

London Hatch with the attack for Marian.

So quick and moves across the court with ease, Hatch is definitely the quarterback for a really dynamic Marian Catholic team.  I remember watching Hatch play at the Windy City Power League last year where she was impressive as well. Quick hands and the ability to go from pin to pin, Hatch also has the ability to be a threat on the second contact as well, finding the open spot on the other side of the court. 

Lauren Passaglia - Cary Grove 

Extremely physical.  Passaglia can do a little bit of everything for Cary Grove.  She can set or swing from the right side. She can play out of middle back or right back.  Her versatility is one of her many strengths. There were times where I would see her swing or she would power tip it to the deep corner.  Either way, she’s scoring points or is a big part of her team scoring points.  

Zoey Seput Zoey Seput 5'8" | S Minooka | 2020 IL - Minooka

Minooka is a treat to watch.  They are long, athletic, and just fly around the court.  Seput demonstrates a ton of quickness and gets her hands on every ball.  There weren’t very many times where I saw her standing to set. She’s jump setting almost every ball to various attackers and provides a solid block as well.  At 5’8, she’s got a vert that allows her to play well above the net, receiving the ball high and distributing with purpose.  

Ella Sandt Ella Sandt 5'11" | S Nazareth Academy | 2020 IL - Nazareth 

Nazareth went swing for swing with Skutt Catholic out of the Omaha area Friday night that left fans from both sides applauding much like it was the end of a Broadway show.  Really great volleyball on both sides. Sandt will be heading out to St. Marys in California and will be welcomed with open arms by the Gaels. A physical presence at the net and a solid defender in the backrow, she makes an impact everywhere on the court.  As Sandt goes, so does Nazareth who was a real treat to watch throughout the weekend! 

Nikki Jones - Marist 

Tempo. Tempo. Tempo.  Marist has plenty of power, but whats more impressive is the speed they can play at.  The ball doesn’t go very high above the net in the RedHawk offense, but its certainly on point when it touches the hands of Jones.  Another element of her game is the ability to jump set or swing. In key points in their championship match against Skutt Catholic, she had some big swings that would land perfectly in the deep corner. 

Taylor Jakubowski Taylor Jakubowski 5'7" | S Huntley | 2020 State IL - Huntley 

A setter can have great hands, but they can’t be utilized unless they can get their feet to the ball.  For Jakubowski, thats no problem with her ability to anticipate the next contact, getting in position to dish to her open attackers.  A Seton Hall commit, Jakubowski will be part of a strong group of commits out of the Midwest heading to Seton Hall (SHU has two top players from the Wisconsin Class of 2021).  Her body language shows confidence and leadership. A dynamic athlete, Jakubowski will be fun to watch lead her team into the postseason.  

Lots of great pictures from the ASICS Challenge. See our full album from Friday night and Saturday afternoon on our new Prep Dig Illinois Facebook Page! @Minooka_VB @RedHawkVB @CaryGroveVB and more! https://t.co/pe8QWPrjwb… pic.x.com/3X1ZwloBxM

— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) October 7, 2019