Spectacular Sectional Setters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setters have one of the toughest jobs; their quick decision-making and athleticism can determine the outcome of a match. There are so many spectacular setters in the state and they've been so fun to watch in the playoffs. Here are some you can find in Sectional play on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hartwig Sisters - Athens</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, their lineup may have changed since I last saw them play at the Merrill Invite back in early September but Athens used a number of setters to get the job done. They do have sisters, [player_tooltip player_id='257820' first='Jazelle' last='Hartwig'] and Sy'Rih Hartwig who play all 6 rotations and a number of different roles. Both were setting for at least a couple of rotations and then would take on a backrow position or move into the front row where they would swing from the middle or pins. I'm not just writing about them because they have so many roles to play but because they do them well and they've found success as a team. This isn't something easily done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["246946"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Czajkowski is not only quick hands and athleticism.  She moves really well on defense and knows how to find just the right hitter at just the right time.  She can also put up a really solid block against some of the state's toughest attackers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["122568"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Wagner pushes, pulls, and whatever else she needs to do in order to help her teammates to get the win.  She has been a driving force the last 4 years and she is a phenomenal leader that they will have to replace after this season.  Wagner does a great job keeping the opposing middle guessing and jumping with her to get her attackers 1-on-1 or 1-v-none attack attempts.  I love watching the Wagner Bjork connection.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["178261"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"I haven't seen Marlock play since last season in the state tournament but I do remember that she was an absolute workhorse.  She does everything, even playing middle and setting.  And she made it look easy!  Marlock is fast, smart and leads by action with no questions asked.  She is a natural athlete and really seemed to connect with her attackers on the court.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["144816"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Potter runs the Xavier offense like a well oiled machine.  She has no problem running a 5-1 and managing all the phases of the game like a pro.  I love seeing put her middles in motion running a slide attack with ease.  Potter is an incredibly talented athlete and teammate looking for a back-to-back D2 state title.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65373cc1f368e"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Emily Cooper and Abby Bresina - McDonell Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning D4 champs return their setting cadre of Cooper and Bresina. Cooper was solid and consistent at releasing to the net quickly and getting around the ball. She has swift feet and fast hands. Bresina has the same speedy clean release on the ball that makes blockers panic. They both have a very gritty style of play and they have experience that helps them get the job done. Both are in tune with their attackers and know when to speed up the offense for the Macks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jaelyn Stowe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Wonewoc-Center","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Stowe made her way onto my radar last year at the Resch Center.  I thought she had a soft quick release on the ball and knew just where to put it for a [player_tooltip player_id='165406' first='Kelsey' last='Justman'] kill.  Now she has another year under her belt and the Wolves are fighting for another crack at the gold ball.  Now she has the experience and some more leadership.  Her squad has a majority of their roster returning from last year and added a couple freshmen to the mix.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["277423"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"I can still remember Kohnen making this stellar hustle play at the Prep Dig Gauntlet this past spring.  She sprinted after a ball to keep it alive and dives into the court partition.  Then she runs back to the front row to get set and makes a roll shot for the kill.  She is just an explosive and super athletic player that knows how to make big plays.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["122566"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Van Lannen is no stranger to the big bright stage and fierce competition.  Her team's success over the past few years is a true testament to her abilities as well as her leadership.  Van Lannen is an all-around athlete and a powerhouse on the court.  She knows how to run an offense, connect with her teammates and when to call her own number.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65373cc1f37a3"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='122507' first='Paige' last='Guld'] and [player_tooltip player_id='178254' first='Lily' last='Shields'] - Newman Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guld and Shields make this tremendous power-packed duo for the Cards. Guld can routinely set a beautiful 1 handed set right into the gap between the blockers. She has made a huge impact for Newman on the court and has actually made it quite impossible to imagine her not on the court for the Cards. Her confidence, leadership, athletic ability, and experience are invaluable to a young squad. Shields is a year younger than Guld but is right there in experience against tough competition. She knows how to get the best out of her teammates and keep them running like a well-oiled machine. Shields has a high vb IQ and is a fun explosive player to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I hate seeing anyone's season come to an end but watching these teams battle is a ton of fun. The second contact can be so crucial and these players will be put to the test Thursday to move onto Sectional Finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->