2023 H.S. Preview: Five Cincy Area Setters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paityn Krause</strong> - Centerville<br>The senior led the Elks with 469 total assists in sharing the setting duties for the 2022 GWOC champs and their 14--0 league record. Centerville was a juggernaut of an offense in league play as their top four arms all earned 1st team all-league honors. With the loss of her setting counterpart and two of those top point scorers to graduation, the Elks still have some key elements back, led by Krause, that should have them in contention to repeat for the conference crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152056' first='Ally' last='Hughes']</strong> - Roger Bacon<br>The junior was the clear leader in the [program_tooltip program_id='431851' first='MVC' last=''] with in 2022 with 974 total assists to push her over 1,000 for her two-season varsity career. The Spartans' potent offense remains in tack with two of their primary arms returning in [player_tooltip player_id='179022' first='Mariah' last='Gaines'] and [player_tooltip player_id='114590' first='Kelsey' last='Niesen'], second and third respectively in the league for total kills. With the addition of middle [player_tooltip player_id='151983' first='Raegan' last='Waller'], Hughes has three viable targets to set that should have this team once again generating good success throughout the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='179059' first='Olivia' last='Weiseman']</strong> - Monroe<br>The 5'10 junior was a dual threat for Monroe in 2022 as she led the Hornets offensively with 3.3 k/s and a .407 attacking efficiency while also distributing 122 total assists. She likely returns to her dual role with the return of other key personnel in spite of her leading one of Ohio's best 16U teams during the club season primarily from the setting postion and with stock rising outcomes as one of the best Ohio setters in her class. Her depth of skills make her a big-time prospect as the recruiting cycle will ramp up for her over this next round of high school and club ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227619' first='Makenna' last='Kirlin']</strong> - Loveland<br>Kirlin returns for her sophomore season at Loveland where she contributed 3.53 a/s in sharing the setting duties in 2022. Coming off a very competitive club season in which her team's offense went primarily through her hands, she increased her competitive experience while improving the quality of her location consistency and decision-making to get hitters involved at the right time. She was a 1st team all-ECC selection as she balanced her distribution effort by also terminating 2.1 k/s, second on the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kayla Caldwell</strong> - Beavercreek<br>The 5'7 senior Caldwell was a 2nd team all-GWOC selection in 2022 after leading the league with 544 total assists. SHe also added 159 digs on the season. Just shy of 650 career assists over two varsity seasons, she is the veteran leader in her third and final season running the Beavers' offense and looking to improve upon their 14-11 overall record last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->