Nationals Preview: 15 Open Ohio Setters to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227802' first='Mallory' last='Matheny']</strong> - Mintonette m.51<br>Matheny may be the best distributor in this class in Ohio as that will be revealed in the upcoming initial Prep Dig rankings for the 2026 class. She has all the tools to lead this offense with a maturity in her skills and decision-making that we don't always see this early in a setter prospect's career. She contributes well defensively at the net at 5'11 and can apply a lot of pressure from the service line also. This team has a lot of offensive options and Matheny utilizes them well with good balance and in the right situations to get them good space to terminate at a high rate. They will open the GJNC as one of the favorites to win the whole thing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='368391' first='Kirsten' last='Kemper']</strong> - NKYVC 15-1<br>Kemper has steadily grown in her effectiveness and contributions for a team combining some of the top prospects from the greater Cincy and northern Kentucky areas. At 5'9, the Seton product has been a part of a setting duo for this team for a couple of years that has done very well on the national level. She is coming off of a big effort for her team at the recent Summerfest event at which she was the primary setter earning a total of 147 assists and 10 aces in helping guide their effort to a silver medal and further solidifying their profile as a team that should compete very well at the GJNC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403532' first='Grace' last='Daniels']</strong> - AVC CLE 15 Red<br>Daniels does a good job of leading this team offensively, which over the course of the season their effort and success rate has improved to make them a big threat any time they take the court. She gets her attackers involved well with good location and tempo that can be difficult to read through her consistent contact position through all options. She has terminal middles and when she involves them well it creates good space for her pins to score with space given the tempo she delivers. Look for AVC in Chicago at the upcoming GJNC among three OVR teams that qualified for the 15 Open division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morgan Heater</strong> - Tri State Elite 15 Blue<br>Heater is a physical competitor that provides a big impact in a variety of ways. As a distributor, she has great hands and touch to deliver the offense with tempo and ease through both pins. She has great size as well at 6'0 that provides a lot of advantages as a setter. She is equally as effective with her arm though as she can take a heavy swing when called upon through her front row rotations. This team will compete at AAU nationals this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403525' first='Emma' last='Adkins']</strong> - Tri State Elite 15 Blue<br>The other half of this team's setting duo that will see time as the offensive floor leader, Adkins is 5'11 and has a solid skill foundation to be able to contribute in a lot of ways similar to Heater. She can fill the role as a primary pin arm and can pass and defend in the back row with good range and platform development. Her setting skills are a key part of her game as well as she can and will step in to deliver their offense. She develops high hand contact and provides a seamless effort when in combination with her counterpart in this role. They certainly have the tools to get on the podium in Orlando.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->