20 Setters Running the Show at USAV Nationals
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When it comes to playing nationally, setters are under a lot of pressure to perform. They are on the biggest stage with their team and are the quarterbacks on the court. These setters are running their offense efficiently and are…
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Continue ReadingWhen it comes to playing nationally, setters are under a lot of pressure to perform. They are on the biggest stage with their team and are the quarterbacks on the court. These setters are running their offense efficiently and are having a huge impact at USAV Nationals this week.
Amalia Toliopoulos Amalia Toliopoulos 5'9" | S York | 2026 State IL – New Wave 15 Tsunami – 2026
Amalia is a very talented setter. She puts up a great jump set, keeps her body neutral to hide her decisions, and fires off great tempo sets. She is a high-level player that swings in the front row. She is really talented in all her skills, manufacturing points, putting up a big block, picking up balls on defense, and of course, running the offense.
Kennedy Walker – Uno Girls 15 Elite – 2026
Kennedy is a clean and efficient setter who runs a fast tempo. She keeps her hitters moving and always gets her hands on the ball. She has huge hustle and grit is a nice leader on the court. Kennedy has a lot of potential and is playing at a high level at nationals so far this week.
Lily Metropulos – Wisconsin Ice 15 National – 2027
Lily is an athlete in the class of 2027 playing up an age division on Ice. She has really clean form and is quick on the court. Lily is very consistent and brings a steady and calm demeanor to the court. She doesn’t get flustered easily and is an athlete I can’t wait to see play in high school.
Isa Hughes Isa Hughes S IL – Chicago Elite 15 Elite – 2026
Isa stood out to me as a setter because she loves to feed her middles. They got a lot of contacts on the ball because she was not afraid to set them when she was off the net. Isa is a smart setter that keeps all over hitters involved but really relies on her middles to earn points.
Gracia Dietrich Gracia Dietrich 5'6" | S Bay Port | 2026 WI – 1W Bay 15 National – 2026
Gracia made her way onto my radar earlier this season, but this is the first time I have had the opportunity to see her play live. She is a lefty setter who has the potential to be an offensive and high-level setter. Gracia has clean hands and plays really scrappy defense. She is disciplined on the court and spreads her offense well.
Ruby Friess Ruby Friess 5'4" | S Waukesha West | 2026 WI – Midwest Penguins 15 Black – 2026
Ruby is running a 5-1 this weekend for Penguins and is playing some very clean volleyball. She has a quick touch on the ball and very solid fundamentals. Ruby never gives up on a ball and runs down even the toughest passes to better the ball for her team. She is a player to watch in this class and has had an impact early on in the high school volleyball world as well.
Lorelei Candler Lorelei Candler S WI – Madtown 15-1 National – 2026
Lorelei impressed me because she is a solid setter and also an offensive weapon when she is in the front row. She gets a high volume of touches on the ball and is a consistent force on the court. Whether she is setting or hitting, Lorelei adds value in every touch she gets on the ball.
Reese Oatsvall – Adversity ‘ last=”] G15 Purple Adidas – 2026
Reese is a game-changing setter, and an athlete who has exploded onto my radar this week at nationals. She is an energizer and leader on the court. Her team runs a 6-2 with Reese and their other setter Anabelle Olson (who is very talented in her own right). Reese comes in and changes the game when she comes on the court. She takes risks with her sets and commands the court as a leader.
Ava Van Hammond Ava Van Hammond 5'8" | S Kimberly | 2026 State WI – FC Elite Elite 15 Navy – 2026
I saw Ava play earlier this season and she was talented, but she has completely leveled up her game over the course of a few months. She plays with huge energy and has a quick release on the ball. Ava moves the ball around with tempo and finesse. FC Elite setters are just so well trained and it shows in her play on the court. Ava is gritty, confident, and smart with her choices.
Samantha Unger Samantha Unger 5'8" | S Winnebago Lutheran Academy | 2026 WI – FC Elite 15 White – 2026
Samantha is another FC Elite -trained setter that commands the court. She is an energizer and never backs down in a play. Samantha has seemingly endless energy and balances being smart and safe with the ball and taking risks to give her hitters a solo block. Samantha sees the court and the game very well and was impressive when I saw her play on day 1 of nationals.
Anya Mikhailenko Anya Mikhailenko 5'11" | S Homestead | 2026 State WI – Sting 15 Black – 2026
Anya exploded onto my radar at the Prep Dig Gauntlet and has only continued to impress. She is smart, athletic, and has great court awareness. She mixes up her sets, has great form, and puts a fast tempo on the ball. Anya rarely makes an error and typically plays all 6 rotations, hitting right side in the front row. Her versatility and consistency make her hard to take off the court.
Ella Kohnen Ella Kohnen S Slinger | 2026 State WI – Sting 15 Gold – 2026
Ella has been a huge leader on this team, both as a setter and a right side. She has a massive vertical and is a very well-rounded athlete. Ella is a gamer who steps up in big moments to make momentum-changing plays. She elevates the game of those around her and is a fun setter to watch move the ball around.
Brooke Baldwin Brooke Baldwin 6'0" | S Sussex Hamilton | 2026 State WI – Sting 15 Gold – 2026
Brooke is a savvy setter with a high volleyball IQ. She gets her feet to the ball fast and is a consistent force on the court. She also typically plays 6 rotations, swinging on the right side in the front row. Brooke has a lot of power and can move the ball around from pin to pin with seeming ease. She is one of the top athletes in this class and continues to elevate her game.
Sari Marks Sari Marks 6'0" | S Sun Prairie West | 2026 State WI – Sting United 15 Red – 2026
Sari has never looked better than she does right now. She brings huge energy and consistency. Her volleyball IQ is through the roof and she never misses a beat. She is aggressive and confident with her choices and is key in every way for her team. This Sting United team is exceptionally talented and Sari is a huge leader and point earner.
Jane Jacobsen Jane Jacobsen S IL – Michio Chicago 15-1 National – 2026
Michio is the only 15s team out of Wisconsin and Illinois to qualify open, and Jane runs the show on this team. She is a talented setter that runs a 5-1. Jane is gritty on the court and moves the ball around efficiently. She has a great connection with all of her hitters and almost always gets positive touches on the ball.
Nikolija Bulatovic Nikolija Bulatovic 5'10" | S Elmwood Park | 2026 State IL – 1st Alliance 15 Gold – 2026
Nikolija is a very talented setter with a lot of experience running a 5-1. She is aggressive, confident, and feeds her hitters near-perfect sets. She brings consistency and energy to the court. Nikolija is offensive as a setter too, she knows when to push the ball over the net on the second contact to earn points.
Delaney Purtill – 1st Alliance 15 White – 2026
Delaney runs a very fast offense. She has clean hands and sees opposing blockers well. She sets against the grain to force a solo block for her hitters and is very energetic and gritty on the court. Delaney impressed me over and over again with her good choices, court awareness, and leadership. She is a setter to watch that is playing very high-level volleyball at nationals this week.
Hannah Padilla Hannah Padilla 5'6" | S Pewaukee | 2026 State WI – Midwest Penguins 15 Elite – 2026
Hannah is a setter that has a lot of fun on the court. She amps up her team, gives them great balls to hit, and is always hustling. She gives full effort on every ball and it pays off in positive contacts for her hitters. She is a leader and energizer on the court. Hannah has a soft touch on the ball and loves to run her middles at a fast tempo. She is engaged and dynamic as a setter and runs the offense well.
Peyton Heatherly – Lions 14-1 – 2027
Petyon is a highly talented setter who can also swing out of the front row. She is a smart setter and has a high volleyball IQ. Peyton is going to be a fun setter to watch as she continues to improve and impress. She is already making waves in the class of 2027 and hits all the right notes, from her form to her intangibles on the court.
Anna Felton Anna Felton 5'6" | S Brookfield Academy | 2027 WI – Midwest Penguins 14-Black – 2027
Anna is an athlete with a lot of potential. She already runs the court well. She takes control of the offense when she is on the court and keeps all of her hitters engaged. Anna works hard on every point and will keep putting up positive touches for her team even in tough moments. She never gives up and leads by example whenever she is on the court.