Savvy Setters Soar in 17/18 Open at Midwest National Tune-Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Masterful distributors are on our mind after the Midwest National Tune-Up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, my <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/06/austins-all-17-18-open-team-from-midwest-national-tune-up/" id="https://prepdig.com/2026/06/austins-all-17-18-open-team-from-midwest-national-tune-up/">all-17/18 Open team</a> featured a lot of frontcourt firepower. It was hard to ignore the deep cast of terminators we saw in Des Moines. However, this attacking success wouldn't be possible without some steady hands running the show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talented setters have been a persistent theme of my past visits to the Horizon Events Center. That trend was perpetuated through last weekend's National Tune-Up, which brought several more gems into the setter spotlight. We already highlighted a couple in yesterday's all-tournament feature, but we're ready to dig deeper into this stacked group of seasoned signal-callers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Des Moines brought plenty of ball control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443125"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1e0715d4d08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis has been tearing up the Prep Dig Circuit for a while. Her Iowa PowerPlex 17U Mendoza crew has piled up some tournament hardware and logged another podium finish in its home gym. We always expect Iowa PowerPlex setters to take control through their precision and athleticism. Davis fits this mold perfectly while blending a bit of her own style to the position. Her intensity, effort, and competitive spirit have been ubiquitous bright spots during our Des Moines visits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490002"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1e0715d4d45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Setter-hitters were incredibly trendy at the Midwest National Tune-Up, and Vanden Hull was among the best from the very beginning. It's easy to get caught up in Ohana 17U National's long, powerful frontcourt, but we also can't overlook the leadership and command that Vanden Hull provided. She has a knack for getting her feet to the ball quickly, even when passes are not in an ideal spot. Then, when she's posted along the net, Vanden Hull can morph into a game-changing attacker who can work off of hands with ruthless efficiency. We didn't know what to expect from Ohana heading into this event, but players like Vanden Hull left a lasting impression that will persist throughout the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["276201"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1e0715d4d6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nebraska prep enthusiasts know all about Emery's multi-faceted skill set. She has seen the state championship mountaintop with Minden High School as the team's go-to setter and frontcourt attacker. She's a perfect fit for South Central NE 18 Black's 6-2 offense, which unleashes its star setters when they enter the frontcourt. It's hard to say whether Emery had a bigger impact through her distribution or her quick right arm last weekend. Both were centerpieces of 18 Black's rise to the 17/18 Open title bout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555795"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1e12decf58d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adams is the kind of setter who can adapt to whatever lineup her team deploys. RVA 17U K.Palea took advantage of last weekend's reps to dial in several different lineups, giving us a complete glimpse at Adams' versatility and consistency. Aside from her ability to put hitters in good spots, Adams makes quick reads as a right-back defender to keep marathon rallies alive. RVA made a habit of grinding through close matches, particularly in Saturday's thrilling finale against PowerPlex. Adams establishes that expectation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["778835"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1e12decf600"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's bring out the other half of RVA's two-setter offense. Chandler has been an excellent addition to the RVA gym after an incredibly successful tenure with Ohana. She has meshed well with her 17U K.Palea teammates, producing several highlight moments at last weekend's event. This Ankeny senior-to-be is a fleet-footed setter who keeps RVA flowing after transition digs. Chandler has also molded her play around various set preferences from her teammates, elevating 17U K.Pelea's offense in clutch situations. There's a lot to build upon after an unblemished run through Day 2 pools in Des Moines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["763901"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1e12decf650"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's the next generation of uber-athletic Iowa PowerPlex setters. Like many of the distributors discussed here, Weiland has the potential to shift momentum through her second contacts or her assertive swings. The Southeast Polk junior brings a patented "springiness" to her setter operation and can freeze opposing middle blockers along the net. Weiland doesn't need to be in a perfect groove to better the ball and elevate her teammates, and that's the sign of a true all-around leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->