Skilled Setters Shine at the ASICS Challenge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steady setter might go overlooked in a star-studded event like the ASICS Challenge. We're going to make sure that doesn't happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even the strongest hitters in the prep game need a setter who can put them in positions to score. Last weekend's Chicago extravaganza helped demonstrate this, and it's time to give the setters their due. This feature is about signal-callers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Setup</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setters at the ASICS Challenge filled a variety of roles and playstyles, which helps show why big events like these are so fascinating.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For tournament champion Mother McAuley, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222540' first='Tess' last='Hayes']</strong> repeatedly had clutch moments to guide the Mighty Macs to the top. Hayes was even an offensive option as a back-row setter with her incredibly deceptive set-over dump. Even more importantly, McAuley didn't miss a beat when <strong>Olivia Klapp</strong> rotated in for her trip across the backcourt. That's the hallmark of an effective two-setter offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other teams thrived with multiple setters, too. Nazareth used a fascinating combination of <strong>Katherine Sandt</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='136605' first='Lauren' last='Salata']</strong>, both of whom can double as frontcourt attackers in the Roadrunner starting lineup. Salata even carries a left-side hitter role for Nazareth when she's not setting, which is not what you'd normally expect from a setter-attacker. This squad gets a nod for its versatility alone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1575985816177807360?s=20u0026t=zHL9iqKcdFw9SZ42eBk4ZA","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1575985816177807360?s=20&amp;t=zHL9iqKcdFw9SZ42eBk4ZA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138653' first='Jordan' last='Heatherly']</strong> is another setter with a very multi-faceted role on her high school squad. She often runs a 5-1 offense for Montini Catholic, but she immediately becomes an out-of-system scoring option when someone else takes the second contact. This "set the setter" wrinkle is so fun to watch, and Heatherly is a prime example of a setter with a great attacking mindset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1576301625064292352?s=20u0026t=zHL9iqKcdFw9SZ42eBk4ZA","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1576301625064292352?s=20&amp;t=zHL9iqKcdFw9SZ42eBk4ZA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This feature has already mentioned a lot of seniors, and you can add <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119422' first='Alexandra' last='Kreutzmann']</strong> to the list of impactful veterans. The ETSU commit dished a precise offense for Hamilton throughout the weekend, and she doesn't sacrifice physicality at the net, either. Wisconsin just keeps pumping out talent at the position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":232761,"width":490,"height":322,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/10/IMG_0373-scaled-crop-1222x803-1664999733.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-232761" width="490" height="322"/><figcaption>Banker sets for Omaha Skutt Catholic at the 2022 ASICS Challenge.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my Nebraska backyard, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='155045' first='Brooke' last='Banker']</strong> is quickly emerging as a new leader for Omaha Skutt Catholic. The SkyHawks have seen some impactful setters graduate over the past couple of years and Banker has been a great stabilizing force in 2022 despite only being a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other successful squads leaned on some young setters at the ASICS Challenge. In fact, Notre Dame Academy was led by a pair of underclassman setters during its run to the championship match. Sophomore <strong>Lauren Ott</strong> did excellent work leading the dynamic Pandas offense and frequently gave her hitters split-block opportunities. It's also worth factoring in Ott's ability to read opposing attackers and make some stout defensive plays in the right-back area. When Ott wasn't on the floor, the Pandas would turn to freshman <strong>Lizzy Larkins</strong> as the team's other backcourt setter. It takes an amazing amount of resolve to lead such a talented team as a first-year player, but Larkins stay composed over the entire Chicago competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll get in a few more names here. Keep an eye on <strong>Sarah Musial</strong>, the junior setter from St. Charles East whose length at the net gives the Saints a huge blocking asset in two-hitter rotations. Likewise, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='106669' first='Whitney' last='Woodrow']</strong> proved to be one of several physical setter options on the Assumption roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->