Emma Cicora and The Setters Directing Deep State-Tournament Runs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state tournament is showing just how different the setter position can look from one team to another. Columbus had to fight through five sets against North Hall, Gordon Lee survived a comeback from Savannah Arts, and Coahulla Creek rallied after dropping its first two sets against Union County. Each match presented a different challenge for the player responsible for keeping the offense organized.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group brings a combination of distribution, serving pressure, positional versatility and leadership. Some are established offensive directors, while others can become scoring threats themselves. Their value comes down to how well they read the match and make the next decision when the original play breaks down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898018"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae36786d9f83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emma brings an aggressive approach to the setter position, particularly from the service line. She has recorded more than 100 aces this season while approaching 1,000 assists, giving Columbus a setter who can influence a match before the opposing offense even begins its transition. Her serve creates opportunities to disrupt the opponent's first contact and force the offense into less comfortable options.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next part of her evaluation is how she manages the game after those points. Columbus needed to respond to momentum swings against North Hall, and Emma's responsibility was to keep the offense from becoming predictable or rushed. She has the ability to control tempo while remaining an offensive threat from the service line. Continued development in disguising her intentions and varying distribution will make her increasingly difficult for opposing blockers to read.<strong><em> ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @</em>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["912840"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae36786d9fe5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fendley brings an interesting combination of setting responsibility and attacking ability. She has surpassed 1,000 assists this season while contributing as an outside hitter, giving Oconee County flexibility in how it manages rotations and transitions. Her versatility also means she can remain involved in a rally even when the second contact is handled by someone else.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What makes Fendley particularly valuable is the number of responsibilities she can manage without becoming a single-purpose player. She contributes defensively, creates pressure from the service line and can attack when the opportunity presents itself. That broader understanding of the game is important for a setter. As she continues to refine her decision-making, balancing her attacking opportunities with consistent offensive distribution will be an important part of her development.<strong><em> ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @</em>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["586930"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae36786da022"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellie demonstrated the full range of her game during Savannah Arts' five-set semifinal against Gordon Lee. She finished with 31 assists, 12 digs and seven kills, contributing in multiple phases as the Panthers fought back from a two-set deficit. Her ability to contribute offensively is important because it gives the opposing block another responsibility to consider rather than allowing it to focus entirely on the hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her leadership also deserves attention. Ellie has been an important part of Savannah Arts' postseason success over multiple seasons, and she continues to take responsibility for the direction of the team. She understands the setter's role in keeping teammates connected when the match becomes difficult. Her experience as both a setter and right-side attacker gives her a useful perspective on what the offense needs, especially when the rally moves away from the original plan.<strong><em> ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @</em>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1057848"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae36786da057"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitney brings an unusual combination of responsibilities to the floor. As a left-handed setter and right-side attacker, she creates different angles at the net and gives Gordon Lee another way to score when the defense begins anticipating the next set. Her semifinal performance against Savannah Arts included 12 kills, 10 digs, four blocks and five aces, illustrating how many ways she can influence a match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most impressive part of Whitney's evaluation is her ability to remain involved when the pressure increases. After Savannah Arts fought back to force a fifth set, Whitney helped Gordon Lee regain control through her blocking and attacking. She doesn't disappear into the setting role once the offense is established. Her willingness to take responsibility at the net while continuing to direct the offense makes her a particularly versatile player.<strong><em> ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @</em>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1039687"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae36786da09e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maddy's postseason presents a different type of setter evaluation. Coahulla Creek dropped the opening two sets against Union County before winning three straight to secure its place in the Class 3A championship match. That kind of comeback requires the offense to find solutions without abandoning the system entirely, and the setter is central to that adjustment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a senior, Maddy has an opportunity to demonstrate how well she can manage those changes. The challenge is recognizing when an attacker needs a different tempo, when the block has begun committing early and when the best decision is simply to keep the ball in a hitter's preferred window. Coahulla Creek's response showed the team's ability to reset under pressure. Maddy's continued growth as an offensive organizer will be important as the Colts prepare for the championship match.<strong><em> ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @</em>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five setters offer different strengths. Emma creates pressure before the rally develops, Fendley combines distribution with attacking responsibility, Ellie brings an all-around perspective, Whitney can change a match from multiple positions, and Maddy has been part of a team that responded when its season was on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the state tournament level, setting is about much more than delivering the ball. It is about recognizing what the match requires and giving six players the best chance to execute.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Follow Prep Dig Georgia for post-match evaluations, rankings coverage and continued reporting throughout the 2026 GHSA season.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note to GA Athletes:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>If you'd like to be considered for future coverage, please send me your high school season schedule</strong> and share a little bit about yourself so I can come support you and share your story. Let's keep building Georgia volleyball together! 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