AAU Championship Preview 16 Open: Setters Worth Your Attention

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">This article was shared with 150+ college coaches. Join PrepDig with 30% off using code: digdakotas30</a>   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</a>   Officially underway in Florida, AAU Nationals and Wave 3 is loaded with talent. There are plenty of players to watch, from top-ranked teams to players who have spent the season building momentum. But every offense begins with the setter, as exciting as the hitters and blockers can be.   This position is a bit of this, a bit of that. Setters are expected to lead, communicate, make split-second decisions, and keep their hitters involved no matter what the pass looks like. The best ones make the game look easy while constantly processing what is happening on the other side of the net.   What I like about this group is the variety of styles they bring to the court. Some set the tempo, making quick decisions, some are great at spreading out the offense, and some seem to have an uncanny ability to put the ball right where their hitters want it. Regardless of how they do it, these setters have had good seasons and now get to show their game on one of the biggest stages of the year.    Rani Patel, Setter. College coaches should be sure to watch this week. What stands out is her composure when the pass isn't perfect. She works hard to keep her offense in system and does a nice job of finding solutions when plays break down.   She has done a good job of distributing the ball throughout the season and of involving multiple attackers. The best setters are unpredictable, and Rani has done a good job of forcing defenses to cover the whole court rather than a single option.   Coaches, observe how she dictates tempo, how she handles out-of-system balls, and how she keeps finding opportunities for her hitters when rallies get crazy.     Mary Berran is a setter who continues to impress with the pace she brings to an offense. She does a strong job of pushing tempo and keeping her hitters available, allowing her team to stay aggressive throughout a match.   I like her willingness to establish her middles, which is one thing. Not every young setter is comfortable doing that consistently, but Mary knows the value of keeping blockers occupied and creating opportunities for her pins later in the rally. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas   For coaches, watch how she engages her middles, how quickly she adjusts to defensive changes, and how she controls the rhythm of an offense from the opening serve to the final point.     Caylee Chin is a setter who knows how important location is. "She's always tried to put her hitters in a position to succeed, not just throw it out there," she said all season.   The thing that strikes me is her willingness to trust a number of attackers. She doesn't seem locked into one way of doing things and does an impressive job of spreading the offense around the court. That skill becomes more and more critical as you encounter tougher competition. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas   Coaches should watch how she makes decisions, how she reads the opposing blockers and how she changes her offense in a match.     [player_tooltip player_id='725761' first='Janie' last='Myers'] has been a consistent setter all season, largely because of her ability to control the pace of a game. Offense is put on by some setters. The defense seems to be limited in its actions by others. Janie's been able to build that kind of pressure.   She's done a good job of keeping hitters off balance all season and has come up with some creative ways to score runs.” She knows how to keep the defense uncomfortable, whether it's through up-tempo play or by creating favorable matchups. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas   Coaches will want to see how she handles pressure, how she moves around blockers, and how confident she is when the match is on the line.     [player_tooltip player_id='994162' first='Chloe' last='Burbage'] is one of the most impressive setters I have seen this season, and there is a reason why Louisville prioritized her early on in the recruiting process. You can't just throw the ball up in the air and have a good offense. Requires the ability to make high-level decisions over and over again during a match and leadership, trust and communication.   Chloe's apparent ease in commanding her surroundings is a notable characteristic. She's good at setting tempo, working hitters and finding ways to get the upper hand before the ball crosses the net. Rarely does the game feel hurried when she is in charge of the offense. She always sets up her attackers to be successful, remains calm in a pressure situation and believes in her decisions.   Chloe continues to be one of my most compelling setters to watch as Nationals progress. Elite setters don't just run offenses; they elevate them. They can alter the outcome of a game, make plays that aren't always apparent, and make those around them better. Chloe has demonstrated this all season and that is exactly why she continues to separate herself from an already talented group of setters. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     Caitlyn Gutt is a setter who plays with purpose and confidence. She has shown all season that she can make decisions when the game is on the line and take ownership of the offense.   I like that she doesn't appear shy. She releases the ball from her hands confidently, and she trusts the players around her. Many setters that play this way tend to let their hitters play with more confidence. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas   Coaches, watch her lead on the floor, how she handles adversity, and how she balances her offense versus top-level competition. Caitlyn is a setter, and she has shown she can deal with the responsibility of touching every ball.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you to all my readers for making this journey possible. My goal has always been simple: to shine a light on athletes at every level, from Division I to NAIA, and give them a platform to keep chasing their love for the game. Every player deserves a shot, and I'm honored to help tell their stories.</h2>   Please help us continue to grow this positive platform for players by spreading the word and encouraging your friends to subscribe at PrepDig.com. With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!   This journey is created by the village, athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman</h4>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</h3>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">In Case You Missed It</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://prepdig.com/dakotas/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/05/image_5b1fa1.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-987083" /></a></figure>

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