GJNC Scouting Report: 16 Open Setters in the Spotlight

<p>Variety continues to be a defining trait of the setter position in the Class of 2024.</p> <p>Setters at the club level bring a lot of different skills, styles, and strengths to the court. Perhaps no division at GJNC demonstrated this better than 16 Open, where the setters brought a little something for everyone.</p> <p>We hope to capture some of that variety here with our latest GJNC Scouting Report.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_208026" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-208026" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/IMG_9423-crop-3464x2275-1657491262-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Saeger competes with WAVE 16-Brennan at GJNC.[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="162780" first="Amanda" last="Saeger"] - 5’11 S - WAVE 16-Brennan</strong></p> <p>WAVE 16-Brennan was not the most physical squad in the 16 Open field, but Saeger’s savvy setting helped elevate this team to one of the most formidable contenders in the division. Her soft touch to the opposite pin provides a huge boost to WAVE’s opposites and middles. Those two positions became a focal point of the team’s offense, and Saeger’s continued leadership will let the whole team shine.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="201020" first="Emily" last="Bobbitt"] - 5’11 S/RS - Triangle 16 Black</strong></p> <p>Bobbitt’s technical skills set her apart from her 16 Open peers. Her jump setting holds opposing middle blockers just enough to give Triangle’s stout hitters a chance to frequently swing at an open net. Bobbitt’s physicality is an asset, too, and this is one of a few 16 Open setters with extensive pin-hitting experience.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_208022" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-208022" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/IMG_9348-crop-3441x2260-1657491090-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Green sets for KC Power 16-1.[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119693" first="Janelle" last="Green"] - 5’10 S - KC Power 16-1</strong></p> <p>It was just another standout weekend for this KC Power setter. Green is a perfect fit for this team that prides itself on good ball control, as her veteran leadership does not waver in any rotation. I’m always looking to give credit to setters that show some nice touch in floor defense, and Green has long been one of the most reliable right-back defender in 16 Open.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="201010" first="Isabella" last="Starck"] - 6’1 S/RS - Colorado Juniors 16-Sherri</strong></p> <p>This Penn State commit’s do-it-all mentality is not limited to the setter spot. Aside from dishing out a steady, up-tempo offense for Colorado Juniors, Starck also made her presence felt as an incredibly effective frontcourt opposite. It’s not often that a team’s setter is also its most efficient scorer, but this rare talent can do just about anything for her team.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Though she was recruited to <a href="https://x.com/PennStateVBALL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PennStateVBALL</a> as a setter, Izzy Starck has been so impactful as a frontcourt opposite this weekend.<br /> <br /> Colorado Juniors takes a tight opening set against 1st Alliance. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/sspB0vGKgw">pic.x.com/sspB0vGKgw</a></p> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1543572987567300611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_208006" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-208006" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/IMG_9441-crop-3844x2524-1657490420-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Kambach runs the offense for OT 16 J Will at GJNC.[/caption] <p><strong>Sydney Kambach - 5’7 S - OT 16 J Will</strong></p> <p>Kambach’s precision is one of the most important factors in the success of 16 J Will’s middles this year. OTVA’s diverse offense allows Kambach to direct a variety of gap plays and slides that are difficult to defend. Like many of the other athletes on this feature, Kambach also gives all-out effort in the backcourt and is a natural first-contact player.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Madeline Stucky - 5’11 S - NORCO 16 Black</strong></p> <p>NORCO 16 Black was an intriguing sleeper team in this division that had a strong setter leading the charge. Stucky provided a huge spark to propel her team into Open contention in Indy, and that culminated in another standout performance at GJNC.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124219" first="Alyssa" last="Nelson"] - 5’9 S/DS - Rockwood Thunder 16 Elite</strong></p> <p>With prior outings as a defensive specialist, Nelson knows the importance of quality contacts. As a setter, though, this Rockwood Thunder athlete showed a new gear on the national stage. Nelson will readily slide on her knees to make an overhand set and keep her offense in system. Her comfortability with setting against the grain was also a huge highlight of Nelson’s contributions against the nation’s top 16 Open competitors.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_208018" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-208018" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/IMG_9392-crop-3441x2260-1657490778-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Messer jousts at the net for Dynasty 16 Black at GJNC.[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="154039" first="Reese" last="Messer"] - 5’11 S - Dynasty 16 Black</strong></p> <p>Not to be outdone, Messer adds to the Kansas-Missouri pipeline of uber-talented setters. It must be daunting to lead one of the country’s top 16s offenses while also playing up, but Messer has looked unphased throughout the 2022 season. Her standing as one of the Class of 2025’s best setters is almost undisputed.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">It wasn’t an easy road, but <a href="https://x.com/dynastyvbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dynastyvbc</a> 16 Black is in the championship hunt tomorrow!<br /> <br /> …after a sick dig kill from [player_tooltip player_id="154039" first="Reese" last="Messer"] 😅 <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/vD5ccexGoq">pic.x.com/vD5ccexGoq</a></p> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1543656061080666113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>