3A Rising Stars: Top 5 Returning Setters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, these five setters were just getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, they're heading into their sophomore seasons with a full year of varsity volleyball under their belts. That's a big deal. They have already seen the speed of the game, learned what works, and gained valuable experience running their offenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1009545,"_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-6a657f8c3e9d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rice had a massive freshman season, finishing with 1,017 assists and averaging 11.2 assists per set. WOW. She doesn't just put the ball up, either. Rice runs a fast-tempo offense and uses a strong jump set to keep blockers guessing. When she is in system, she can make the offense move quickly and create openings for her hitters. Her tempo, combined with her ability to disguise the set, makes her a tough setter to read. After a freshman season like that, Rice is certainly one to watch as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1009547,"_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-6a657f8c3ea64"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gardier finished her freshman campaign with <strong>638 assists</strong> and averaged <strong>7.2 assists per set</strong>. She also brings the experience of being a dual-sport athlete, and that competitive background shows in the way she leads. Gardier is the type of setter you want running your offense because she brings confidence and composure to the court. She understands how to manage the game and keeps her hitters involved. With another year of varsity experience ahead, Gardier has plenty of room to keep building.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1009548,"_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-6a657f8c3eab1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Allen put together a strong freshman season with 520 assists and 6.9 assists per set. However, her impact doesn't stop at setting. She also finished with 235 digs and 10 blocks, showing that she can contribute across multiple phases. Allen brings an all-around game to the setter position and stays involved whether she is running the offense or making a play defensively. Her sophomore season should be another opportunity to continue expanding her impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1009549,"_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-6a657f8c3eaf6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Forbes finished her freshman season with 459 assists and averaged 5.9 assists per set, but her leadership is what really stands out. She commands the court and isn't afraid to take the first ball when the play calls for it. More importantly, she understands what happens next. If Forbes takes that first contact, she immediately works to get the second ball set and keep her team in system. That awareness and communication are valuable qualities in a setter, and Forbes is already showing them early in her career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1009551,"_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-6a657f8c3eb5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bell finished her freshman season with 415 assists and averaged 5.5 assists per set. She also brings plenty of value in the back row and continues to show that she can contribute defensively. When her team is in system, Bell does a nice job creating tempo and getting her hitters into rhythm. Her connection with her middles is especially fun to watch when the offense is clicking. With a full varsity season behind her, Bell is another sophomore setter who could take a big step forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sophomore Season, Here We Come</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five setters have already shown us what they can do. Now, they get another year to build on it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With varsity experience under their belts, each player has a chance to take another step forward and continue shaping their offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For more Colorado volleyball coverage, player features, rankings, recruiting content, and more, follow @prepdigcolorado on Instagram!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->