Setters and Liberos with Breakout #PDTheFinale Performances

<p>This one is for the ball control anchors.</p> <p>After covering <a href="https://prepdig.com/2022/06/more-pin-hitters-to-follow-from-pdthefinale/">outside hitters</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2022/06/gamechangers-middle-blockers-dominate-at-pdthefinale/">middle blockers</a> in our post-event recap of the Prep Dig Finale, there are still a few unsung heroes I want to highlight from the event. Setters and liberos may not put down the flashy, floor-denting kills that get much of the attention, but their ball control contributions cannot be overlooked. So, I can't wrap up our Finale player spotlights without discussing a few setters and liberos who caught my eye.</p> <p>Let's do that here.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Willow Alls - 5'6 S - A2 17 Green</strong></p> <p>Alls was part of a two-setter system that helped 17 Green to a runner-up finish in the 17s/18s division. Not only does this setter have the hands and precision to keep her hitters in rhythm, but Alls is also a natural backcourt defender who thrives in the right-back area. Her future could be at setter or defensive specialist, which is a testament to the versatility that Alls brings to the A2 gym.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Tessa Miller - 5'8 S - Premier 16 Kinsei</strong></p> <p>Having a nimble setter is vital for keeping teams in system, and that's exactly what Premier 16 Kinsei has in Miller. She can reliably get her feet to the ball on almost any pass and can deliver the ball with consistent location from off the net.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_202683" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-202683" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/06/IMG_9083-crop-3146x2066-1655397874-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Finzel sets for TeamD 16-Red.[/caption] <p><strong>Rylie Finzel - 5'6 S - TeamD 16-Red</strong></p> <p>TeamD 16-Red played its way into the championship hunt in part because of Finzel's steady leadership at the setter spot. She was particularly comfortable with setting the middles any time she got a good pass, and that also opened up TeamD's pin hitters throughout the event.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Madalyn LaFramboise - 5'6 S - A2 15 Shamrock</strong></p> <p>This was a breakout weekend for both LaFramboise and her whole A2 15 Shamrock team. LaFramboise thrives most when setting behind, allowing 15 Shamrock's opposites to have their moment in the spotlight. Reliable setting has surely helped spark this team's improvement since I last saw it in Cleveland for the Prep Dig Open.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Thea Beran - 5'6 DS/L - AVC CLE Rox 15 White</strong></p> <p>15 White rotated liberos over the entire weekend, so I had some options for this feature. Beran stood out for her willingness to lock down middle-back defense and serve receive. While most liberos are slotted into one of the corners in left-back or right-back, Beran's unique presence in zone 6 floor defense elevated AVC to a 15s championship in Pontiac.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Some fun stuff from <a href="https://x.com/avcvolleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@avcvolleyball</a> 15 White tonight — including two different liberos passing the baton. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/PDTheFinale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PDTheFinale</a> <a href="https://t.co/PbFpWMSkyD">pic.x.com/PbFpWMSkyD</a></p> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1535725023301885954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Janie Kerchenski - 5'7 DS/L/S - ROCKC 16-1</strong></p> <p>In a feature about setters and liberos, let's discuss a player who did a little bit of both in Pontiac. Kerchenski rotated roles as both a lockdown defender and a 5-1 setter who took on blocking responsibilities in the front row. It's not often that you see an athlete make this kind of transition within a single event, but it definitely worked out for our unquestioned Finale champions in the 16s division.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ava Meek - 5'5 DS/L - Krush VBC 17 National</strong></p> <p>Putting up big numbers has been a regular occurrence for Meek, both on the high school side and on the Circuit with Krush. Meek's quickness on the end line gives her the liberty to take up plenty of real estate in serve receive. That, in turn, opens up the rest of 17 National's passers to carry out other roles within the offense. This is the true value of a standout libero, and Meek brought some of that value to Michigan last weekend.</p>