Skilled Setters Shine at the ASICS Challenge
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Steady setter might go overlooked in a star-studded event like the ASICS Challenge. We’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen. Even the strongest hitters in the prep game need a setter who can put them in positions to score.…
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Continue ReadingSteady setter might go overlooked in a star-studded event like the ASICS Challenge. We’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Even the strongest hitters in the prep game need a setter who can put them in positions to score. Last weekend’s Chicago extravaganza helped demonstrate this, and it’s time to give the setters their due. This feature is about signal-callers.
The Setup
Setters at the ASICS Challenge filled a variety of roles and playstyles, which helps show why big events like these are so fascinating.
For tournament champion Mother McAuley, Tess Hayes Tess Hayes 5'7" | S Mother McAuley | 2023 IL repeatedly had clutch moments to guide the Mighty Macs to the top. Hayes was even an offensive option as a back-row setter with her incredibly deceptive set-over dump. Even more importantly, McAuley didn’t miss a beat when Olivia Klapp rotated in for her trip across the backcourt. That’s the hallmark of an effective two-setter offense.
Other teams thrived with multiple setters, too. Nazareth used a fascinating combination of Katherine Sandt and Lauren Salata Lauren Salata 5'9" | OH Nazareth | 2024 State IL , both of whom can double as frontcourt attackers in the Roadrunner starting lineup. Salata even carries a left-side hitter role for Nazareth when she’s not setting, which is not what you’d normally expect from a setter-attacker. This squad gets a nod for its versatility alone.
Jordan Heatherly Jordan Heatherly 5'10" | S Montini Catholic | 2023 State #89 Nation IL is another setter with a very multi-faceted role on her high school squad. She often runs a 5-1 offense for Montini Catholic, but she immediately becomes an out-of-system scoring option when someone else takes the second contact. This “set the setter” wrinkle is so fun to watch, and Heatherly is a prime example of a setter with a great attacking mindset.
This feature has already mentioned a lot of seniors, and you can add Alexandra Kreutzmann Alexandra Kreutzmann 5'9" | S Hamilton | 2023 State WI to the list of impactful veterans. The ETSU commit dished a precise offense for Hamilton throughout the weekend, and she doesn’t sacrifice physicality at the net, either. Wisconsin just keeps pumping out talent at the position.
In my Nebraska backyard, Brooke Banker Brooke Banker 5'3" | S Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2025 State NE is quickly emerging as a new leader for Omaha Skutt Catholic. The SkyHawks have seen some impactful setters graduate over the past couple of years and Banker has been a great stabilizing force in 2022 despite only being a sophomore.
Other successful squads leaned on some young setters at the ASICS Challenge. In fact, Notre Dame Academy was led by a pair of underclassman setters during its run to the championship match. Sophomore Lauren Ott did excellent work leading the dynamic Pandas offense and frequently gave her hitters split-block opportunities. It’s also worth factoring in Ott’s ability to read opposing attackers and make some stout defensive plays in the right-back area. When Ott wasn’t on the floor, the Pandas would turn to freshman Lizzy Larkins as the team’s other backcourt setter. It takes an amazing amount of resolve to lead such a talented team as a first-year player, but Larkins stay composed over the entire Chicago competition.
I’ll get in a few more names here. Keep an eye on Sarah Musial, the junior setter from St. Charles East whose length at the net gives the Saints a huge blocking asset in two-hitter rotations. Likewise, Whitney Woodrow Whitney Woodrow S Assumption | 2023 State #120 Nation KY proved to be one of several physical setter options on the Assumption roster.