Dynamic Setters to See in Nike Classic 16 Open

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The upcoming Nike Classic in Columbus, OH this coming weekend is one of the best early-season events to get a good look at many teams and a lot of individual talent from Ohio and beyond. The 16 Open division has a lot to offer spectators and college recruiters honing in on the 2027 class this season. Here is a collection of teams and their setters to keep an eye and are among the best that will competing this coming weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ACADEMY VOLLEYBALL CLEVELAND</strong><br>At 5'9, [player_tooltip player_id='535850' first='Hailey' last='Gutfranski'] has great tools to lead her offense. She moves well in pursuit of the ball and shows good control and command of her force of extension when on the move to put the ball in a hittable location. Also part of the AVC 16 Red squad is [player_tooltip player_id='501007' first='Avary' last='Brown'] who brings a scrappy presence around the floor with her backcourt defense, pursuit of the ball when setting, and her ability to involve on options with good location and tempo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last='']</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='480817' first='Kendall' last='Hubbard'] ([program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''] 16 Goller) is one of the best prospects in this Ohio class with athleticism, a full range of skills, and great experience. As we are seeing more and more setters that can dish and swing, Hubbard is a terrific two-way option. [player_tooltip player_id='608312' first='Anabelle' last='Seni'] is a key factor for [program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''] 16 Renfro with her size and skills and may share the role at times with 5'7<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='763906' first='Lyla' last='Cooper']</strong>, who continues to improve in her efficiency of movement and location.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ELITE VBTC</strong><br>This is a club that has good history of producing setters with good length at the net. The Elite VBTC 16 Black team currently features two setters that fit this mold and are among a list of 2027 prospects I am excited to see compete for the first time. The first athlete is 6'1 <strong>Reyna deSilva</strong>. She is long, a lefty, and can certainly do some damage as an opposite attacker. If her setting foundation is as good as her offensive tools, watch out. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763902' first='Addy' last='Hazelbaker']</strong> is a 5'11 setter that has been part of the Johnstown-Monroe varsity program, playing in a reserve setting role in 2024. With these two shoring up the right side of the court, this team could have a lot of options offensively as well as some solid net defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MINTONETTE</strong><br>Both [player_tooltip player_id='480859' first='Lilah' last='Laaper'] and [player_tooltip player_id='474086' first='Kelsie' last='Smith'] for Mintonette m.61 have been featured before as they are very good and quite complementary to one another in setting this top team that should compete very well on a national level. They are both dynamic, confident in their tools and decisions, and can set the full range of the offense in the pocket and when on the move. The skills of [player_tooltip player_id='503990' first='Bryn' last='Dircksen'] will provide a lot of highlights for Mintonette m.62. She could be setting more many club's top 16U teams as she has tools and great high school experience for Calvert. Also look for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763896' first='Camryn' last='Coomer']</strong>, who at 5'9 is a dual threat prospect as an opposite and setter. She earned 182 total kills for Oletangy Orange this past high school season brings a range of tools to be able to contribute through their offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NKYVC</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='480835' first='Maria' last='Schulte'] (*pictured) is a Cincy area prospect crossing the border to play for NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami. She has been a big contributor for the McNicholas program among their young corps of athletes. Her action around the floor is a major factor for this club team that has great offensive options around her. She pursues the ball well in her movement, gets up to contact well, and can offer a variety of tempo in all directions. At 5'9, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592217' first='Jackie' last='Katuska']</strong> is another solid option at the setting role as she is patient in preparation and uses good high hand position upon contact that especially can benefit her middles around her through quick options.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TRI-STATE ELITE</strong><br>In my opinion, one of the best collections of Ohio 2027 16U prospects is this particular TSE team. They have all the tools to win among the best teams, including an offense that will be varied, aggressive, and should score a ton of points. Leading the offense is one of the best setters in the 2028 Ohio class in 6'0 [player_tooltip player_id='582224' first='Penelope' last='Reisman']. As a 2028, her effort at the first MEPL event earlier this month highlighted just how mature she is in her setting skills with a strong foundation in her footwork, balance at the point of contact, and through her extension and finish at the pins and in between. Reisman is a tall setter but moves around the floor well and has the knack to get her hands on the ball in tough situations without relying more on a platform delivery option. She already is showing elite potential for the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->