Updated ’23 Rankings: Top Five Setters

<p>Since none of the setters from the class of 2023 in Indiana have committed anywhere as of yet, it feels appropriate to mention them as the top five, period. All have specific skills that make them tops in the class, and all will make a difference at the next level in the fall of ’23.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85899" first="Grace" last="Purichia"], 5-7, Providence</strong></p> <p>Grace has excelled in this game for years. She’s been the top setter in her age group at Union all of those years, and has more wins in junior beach events than any other player in Indiana. Her hands are quick, her knowledge of whom to set in what situation is first class, and she can take the offense into her own hands and put a ball away at any time. Grace’s athleticism is aided by her beach training, and it would not surprise me if she was seeking out a commitment at an outdoor team near you.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85920" first="Naija" last="Gadis"], 5-8, Brebeuf</strong></p> <p>Don’t look now, but this young lady has improved dramatically in the short time between last year’s state championship and now. She guided Brebeuf to the 3A title match, had an impressive club season at Rev, and looks to make another deep run this fall. The highest jumping setter in this class, Naija can do things athletically to bail out bad passes, and always seems to make the difficult look easy.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="106252" first="Avery" last="Hales"], 5-10, Warsaw</strong></p> <p>As a Dunes kid, it only makes sense that Avery will play outdoor events. Her recent win at the Wind Whipped EVP event in 16 open is proof that her ball control is top notch. Her indoor game is tops as well, constantly making bad passes hittable, and good passes pinpoint sets. It’s the relentless work ethic that wins me over every time. All she did this summer was play at AAUs, earn an Under Armor AA nod, win two beach tournaments, then found time to attend big time camps at Tennessee and West Virginia. Looks to me like the grind never ends---and it shouldn’t. Keep working hard, kid.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85907" first="Mallory" last="Dills"], 5-9, Cathedral</strong></p> <p>As part of the 16-1 Ninjas at Munciana, Mallory received arguably the best setting training in the state. She can run a fast offense, has her hands high, quick and deceptive, and excels at running fast tempo sets with middles in front of and behind herself. Her fiery nature will be needed in spades once the fall comes around, as Cathedral fell flat in their expectations last fall. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104935" first="Olivia" last="Nelson"], 5-8, Westfield</strong></p> <p>The first thing I can mention about Westfield is that with eleven seniors graduating, someone has to step up. Looks like the setting position is solid, as Olivia already has experience running a balanced offense, and can lead if needed as well. I like her athleticism, her calm demeanor, and her ability to bail her teammates out on the regular. I just hope, for her sake, that she gets some help in the leadership department.</p>