Setter Highlights at the Michigan Freshman Showcase

<p><em><strong>Be sure to TAG & follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p>   <p>–</p>   <p>The class of 2029 is coming in hot, ready or not here they come.</p>   <p>For the third year in a row, Michigan has played host to some of the best incoming freshmen the classes have had to offer. Ranging from the Metro Detroit area to the West Side and Northern Michigan. This past weekend, we got to really get a great taste of what the 2029 class has cooking up for their debut seasons.</p>   <p>From the liberos and the middles, let's take a look at some of the best setter prospects at the Freshman Showcase.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='776050' first='Chloe' last='Sutherby'] - Walled Lake Northern</h2>   <p>While she may have been one of the smaller setters amongst the group, [player_tooltip player_id='776050' first='Chloe' last='Sutherby'] very much held her own. With experience setting at an open level, Sutherby is coming into her high school career able to set toe to toe with a lot of tempo. She was quick to adapt on the fly and created connections with many of the attackers on hand. She will be a welcomed addition to Walled Lake Northern this fall.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='777145' first='Andersyn' last='King'] - Harper Creek</h2>   <p>I so happened to have had a peak at [player_tooltip player_id='777145' first='Andersyn' last='King'] over the summer during AAU Nationals. While i was impressed then, I remain just as impressed. Playing at a much higher level than what you'd think for an incoming freshman, King is an exciting prospect in this class. She brings a lot of IQ to the court and already so much winning history. King enters the fall with Harper Creek, a team that just recently made a historic Final Four run in Division 2. With a player as bright as King at such a crucial position, I would very much keep them in consideration for the next four years.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='748131' first='Luciana' last='Wichern'] - Traverse City St. Francis</h2>   <p>Just when you think Traverse City St. Francis may begin a bit of a quiet period, here comes [player_tooltip player_id='748131' first='Luciana' last='Wichern']. Originally listed as a middle, Wichern seemingly can do it all. Her bread and butter is at the setter position and man can she run a solid offense. Standing at around 5'11, Wichern has the height and athleticism with the ability to be a game changer for the SF program. One that is coming off of two consecutive Final Four appearances, Wichern is playing beyond her youth and could very well be the catalyst for a third trip.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='777685' first='Viera' last='Walker'] - Perkins</h2>   <p>From Ohio to Michigan, [player_tooltip player_id='777685' first='Viera' last='Walker'] comes way via Perkins HS. It was quite the treat to see an Ohio product such as this one at the showcase. Walker is a very ambitious setter. A player who is always creating a little spice in the play with her jump set and willingness to run the 'hard' play. Walker brings a lot of fun energy to the court as well. As her career continues on, Walker could become a very promising player.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='755280' first='Isabella' last='O'Malley'] - Imlay City</h2>   <p>Imlay City seems to be the place to be in the Greater Thumb area when it comes to producing setters. From [player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping'] (Wake Forest) to [player_tooltip player_id='490335' first='Makayla' last='Bruman'] (Saginaw Valley) to now [player_tooltip player_id='755280' first='Isabella' last='O'Malley'] it seems. O'Malley, in many ways, shows similarities in her play to that of the Keeping/Bruman duo. She's fast, athletic and willing to try just about anything. While a smaller setter, she makes up for size with great foot speed and promising tempo. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='849751' first='Catie' last='Jilek'] - Portage Central</h2>   <p>Like her partner in crime in the club scene, King, I got to get a real good taste of what Caitie Jilek can cook up on the court over the summer. This player brings a lot of grit to the court and seems to have no problem running any sort of play. Jilek can dual as both an attacker and a setter, thriving in both positions. The more I see Jilek in action, the more impressed I am with her play. This one has a very exciting prep career ahead of her. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='850401' first='Avery' last='Geer'] - Frankenmuth</h2>   <p>Another smaller, but mightier setter, [player_tooltip player_id='850401' first='Avery' last='Geer'] brings a lot of spice to the court. Geer is quite vocal and leads by example. She is as scrappy of a defender as quick as she is to go after the ball to run her offense. This will be a huge addition to the Frankenmuth squad this fall. Frankenmuth has long been one of those bubbling teams in the Division II space, but always missing a piece or two. With a setter that bodes the potential like Geer does, she could really bring a whole new look to the outlook of the Eagles.</p>

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