GameChangers: Setters from #PDTheOpen

This content series is sponsored by GameChanger - The Official Scorekeeping, Stats, Team Management & Technology Partner of Prep Dig. You know I can't pass up the opportunity to talk about some setters. Last weekend's Open tournament at the I-X Center had some GameChangers. A few of the game-changing setters from this event can already be found in our feature on the all-tournament team. We've also taken separate looks at pin hitters and middle blockers this week. But, of course, our positional standout series from The Open would not be complete without talking about some setters who found a moment in the spotlight. After watching everything unfold in Cleveland, it has become even more clear just how much a skilled setter can positively impact every other player on the floor. The setters on this feature embody this.  

Olivia Castelluccio Olivia Castelluccio 5'8" | S St. Joseph Academy (SJA) | 2024 State OH - 5'8 S - Southwest 16N Joe Castelluccio is one of several well-rounded setters that we'll talk about in this feature. She's the kind of player that will manage to make an impact regardless of rotation, as her consistency and leadership do not waver either in the frontcourt or the backcourt. As one of the most deceptive setters in the 16s age group at The Open, Castelluccio frequently set up her hitters with some nice split-block opportunities   Larsen Terrill Larsen Terrill 5'11" | S Highland | 2025 State #186 Nation OH - 5'11 S - Mintonette m.51 Club teams often have to worry about their setters putting up a smaller block at the net, but that's not the case with Mintonette m.51. Terrill provides such a physical presence on the right pin in her frontcourt rotations, and she also brings the touch and finesse that you hope to see from a setter in a 5-1 system. Better yet, Terrill will fearlessly anchor right-back defense and brings an all-around game that few 15s players can match.   Megan Grose Megan Grose 5'10" | S St. Catherine | 2023 State MI - 5'10 S - L2 17-1 Grose brings a wealth of high-level experience to the L2 gym, and it showed in the way she excelled in Cleveland. Her ability to keep her hitters in rhythm set her apart last weekend, as she is able to deliver accurate sets even when passes drift off the net. Grose is part of the massive influx of talented Michigan setters we've seen over the past few years.   Belle Groomes Belle Groomes 6'0" | S St. Joseph Academy | 2025 State #42 Nation OH - 6'0 S - AVC CLE Rox 16 Red It's hard to decide whether Groomes is better suited for setter or opposite. She's just so skilled at both. Her massive reach at the net helps solidify her exceptional versatility, as she matches up well with just about any attacker across the net. As a front-row setter, Groomes has full license to get aggressive and rack up a few swings per set on the second contact.  

Jillian Given Jillian Given 5'6" | S Newark Catholic | 2025 State OH - 5'6 S - A2 15 Green There's no denying Given's competitiveness after watching her perform with A2 15 Green last weekend. She plays right-back defense like a libero but also brings some nice hands that have garnered her a starting setter role. A2's hitters swing with so much confidence because Given will place the ball right in the attacking window every time.   Lucy Mott Lucy Mott 6'1" | S SUA (Toledo) | 2024 State #105 Nation OH - 6'0 S - Legacy 16-1 Adidas Mott perfectly fits the traits we've come to expect from a Legacy setter. She stands tall at the net, dishes with some serious tempo, and is not afraid to make a bold set against the flow. This club has been a trailblazer at the setter position lately, and Mott is another serious candidate to carry on this tradition of excellence.   Lauren Yacobucci Lauren Yacobucci 5'11" | S Magnificat | 2023 State OH - 5'11 S - AVC CLE Rox 17 Red Here's one of those setters that just makes life difficult for opposing middle blockers. Yacobucci runs 17 Red's system to perfection. She mixes in a lot of middle quicks both in front and behind, and she also knows how to shoot the ball to the outside with some pace. On a good pass, Yacobucci will also become an attacking threat. It's a lot to think about for any team that faces this talented 17 Red squad.