HS Volleyball SZN: Top Setters and Playmakers to Watch

Every great team has a floor general, and these setters at the PrepDig Showcase proved why they are the heartbeat of the game. These athletes bring more than clean hands and technical skill to their high school teams. They bring leadership, creativity, and resilience to every point. Each setter and playmaker here showed not only how they run an offense but also how they elevate the energy and direction of their team.    [player_tooltip player_id='785893' first='Zoe' last='Gutierrez'] stands out for her adaptability, leadership, and consistency. Her ability to manage stress, adjust to challenges, and provide steady direction makes her a reliable playmaker. She highlighted the importance of preparation, explaining, “The ability to adjust to evolving circumstances and difficulties is most crucial while in college where I will have new coaching styles, teammates, and study requirements.” Zoe has been focusing on building her strength and endurance, knowing physical readiness is key to staying healthy and excelling at her position. Her teammates describe her as balanced, supportive, and versatile, qualities that make her a connector both on and off the court. Before committing herself fully to volleyball, she was a softball player, a background that built her competitive foundation.     Competitive and determined, [player_tooltip player_id='779648' first='Stella' last='Grubaugh'] thrives on her work ethic. She dedicates time to strength training outside of volleyball, preparing her body and mind for the demands of the high school game. As a setter, she has focused on expanding her offense and becoming more aggressive, embracing the role of an active playmaker. Her coaches describe her as motivated, and her teammates see her as someone who leads by example. Stella's journey reflects her adaptability as well, as she shared, “I used to be an outside hitter but fell in love with setting.” That passion now drives her commitment to developing as a leader on the court. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     With quick hands, a fast release, and relentless hustle, [player_tooltip player_id='779764' first='Paige' last='Tydlaska'] is the kind of setter who runs an offense with tempo and urgency. She goes after every ball and never lets opportunities slip by. Her teammates and coaches describe her as calm, collected, and hardworking, traits that allow her to steady the court even in high-pressure moments. Paige summed it up simply: “I have been working on deception because it is key to splitting up the block and making my hitters more successful.” In addition to volleyball, she also competes in track and field where she has been learning the javelin throw. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='786807' first='Ashley' last='Olson'] brings composure and energy to her role as a setter. She prides herself on bouncing back from mistakes quickly, increasing her energy when her team wins a point, and ensuring her teammates are always on the same page. Communication is central to her game, and she views it as one of the most important aspects of success at the next level. She explained, “After every mistake I don't let it drag me down. I talk to my team and make sure we are on the same page and know everything that I think might happen or what to look out for.” Ashley has been strengthening her consistency in setting, improving her attack as a hitter, and sharpening her serve receive skills to prove her reliability in any role. Teammates see her as competitive, adaptable, and understanding, a player who always makes the effort to meet expectations. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     A vocal leader with a team-first mindset, [player_tooltip player_id='540826' first='Paige' last='Linden'] brings enthusiasm and direction to every court she steps on. She is focused on becoming more vocal, embracing the role of leader with both her words and her play. Skill-wise, she has been sharpening her blocking and learning to make smarter decisions at the net. Her teammates describe her as fierce and consistent, someone who competes with intensity and maintains a next-point mentality. Paige put it best herself: “I will never give up on a play and go for every ball I can.” Her leadership and consistency make her a dual threat both as a setter who can run the offense and as an opposite who can change the momentum with a smart swing or block. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you enjoyed this article, please help us keep the momentum going!</h3>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_b3bd7c.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770392" /></figure>     ✨ Help a player get discovered — share this article using the share buttons and tag us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en">PrepDigCa</a>!   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_ff10cb.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770394" style="width:98px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   🚀 <a href="https://prepdig.com/my-account/subscriptions/">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a> — exclusive rankings, in-depth analysis, and access to the full <a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">prospect index</a>.     <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Throughout August, as tryouts, preseason training, and early matches unfold, high school players enter a critical stretch of growth, leadership, and visibility. It's the perfect time to read, share, and support their journey.   🔥 Players — Use this article to grow. Take notes, study what makes others stand out, and apply it to your own journey. Want to go further? Reach out to a featured athlete and introduce yourself. Build connections, not just stats.   📣 Club Coaches & Directors — Share this with your teams. If your athletes are highlighted, celebrate them loudly. Post it, tag us, and help their stories reach the right eyes. Visibility is everything.   🎯 College Coaches — Tag these athletes in your University Athlete app and evaluate them as potential fits for your program. We're tracking their performance, growth, and impact through Recruitable Credentials — earned indicators college coaches recognize. Follow their journey with us and connect with athletes built for the next level.   🙏 Parents & Supporters — Thank you for being the backbone of this movement. Your subscriptions, shares, and belief in your athletes make this possible.   Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Every great team has a floor general, and these setters at the PrepDig Showcase proved why they are the heartbeat of the game. These athletes bring more than clean hands and technical skill to their high school teams. They bring leadership, creativity, and resilience to every point. Each setter and playmaker here showed not only how they run an offense but also how they elevate the energy and direction of their team.