Sophomore Setters: 2028 Playmakers Catching Our Eye

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><strong>More than 150 college coaches shared this article.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Join PrepDig and get 30% off with code "digdakotas30."</strong></a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram @prepdigdakota.</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running a smooth offense as a sophomore gets tough fast when opposing blocks start getting bigger and serve-receive gets pulled off the net. The 2028 setters featured here caught our eye because of their natural rhythm and footwork. Whether tracking down an off-target pass near the 10-foot line or holding middle blockers with clean hands, these players are managing their rotations with real composure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Let's break down the Class of 2028 setters on our scouting radar.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933658"],"_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-6acd0e777b5cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='933658' first='Ivy' last='Aspengren']</strong> pushes a high-tempo attack that takes reaction time away from front-row blockers. She gets to her spot early and takes the ball at full reach to jump-set whenever the pass allows. What catches your eye on film is her ability to back-pedal off a passed ball near the 10-foot line and still push a flat, fast ball all the way out to the left pin. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["934100"],"_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-6acd0e777b620"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='934100' first='Santana' last='Benning']</strong> is a player I enjoy watching when things don't go as planned. She's quick moving laterally and does a nice job chasing down passes that get pushed toward the sideline. What I like is that she doesn't panic when the first contact isn't there. She works to get her feet under the ball, stays balanced and finds a way to give her outside hitters something they can attack. Those out-of-system plays aren't always pretty, but Santana does a good job turning a tough situation into another opportunity for her team. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["757208"],"_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-6acd0e777b657"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='757208' first='Anna' last='Bergerson']</strong> freezes opposing middle blockers with a deceptive, repeatable setting motion. She holds the ball in the exact same pocket whether she's dropping a quick ball to her middle or back-setting behind her head to the right side. That neutral hand entry gives her right-side attackers clean one-on-one looks at the net. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["923708"],"_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-6acd0e777b689"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='923708' first='Aubrey' last='Biegler'] brings a lot to the court, especially when she's working along the net. I like how she uses her size and positioning to challenge outside hitters, getting her hands up and taking away the line. She makes attackers work to find another option instead of giving them an easy swing. What also stands out is what Aubrey can do with the ball in her hands. When a pass gets tight to the net, she does a nice job staying in control and getting a set out to her hitters. She has strong hands and doesn't let a difficult first contact take away her team's opportunity to attack. That combination of blocking and setting is something I really like about her game. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["757890"],"_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-6acd0e777b6b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='757890' first='Evelyn' last='Block']</strong> plays with a level of rhythm and match awareness that defines her game. She reads block setups before the serve and feeds the hot hand without forcing balls into double-teams. On serve receive, her footwork is precise, and she routinely squares her shoulders to her target before releasing, giving her pin sets consistent height and location. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["758934"],"_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-6acd0e777b6e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='758934' first='Hannah' last='DeBilzan']</strong> operates with a high motor in transition. Starting in her right-back defensive base, she digs hard-driven line shots cleanly and bounces right back up to take charge of the second touch. Her willingness to force quick attacks in middle transition keeps opposing defenses on their heels throughout long rallies. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["995736"],"_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-6acd0e777b715"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='995736' first='Mikayla' last='Dienst']</strong> puts setting location on a dime. Her outside sets land right on the antenna with predictable arc and speed, allowing her hitters to transition hard and swing with full extension. Even when forced backward off her back foot, her wrist touch remains calibrated and accurate. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1005125"],"_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-6acd0e777b743"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1005125' first='Lucy' last='Dimarco']</strong> brings some grit to the setter position, and I like that she's not afraid to take chances. She's the type of setter who will catch a defense off guard when everyone is expecting the ball to go to a hitter. If she sees the opposing blockers starting to move toward the pins, she's quick to recognize the opening and use that second contact to her advantage. Her setter dumps are well-timed, and she knows how to find the open court instead of forcing the ball into traffic. I like that Lucy is willing to be an offensive threat herself, especially when a rally gets a little messy. She gives the defense one more thing to worry about. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you, 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. 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