PD Chi-Town: Sensational Setters Running the Court!

There is always that debate in volleyball about which position is the hardest. The middle spot is grueling so is that it? Or is it the outside hitter that not only has to be able to attack, but block, serve receive, and play defense? Or is it the setter, who has to set clean, consistent balls to their attackers, run the offense and read the opposing teams defense? Regardless of which way you lean, I do think it is safe to say, everyone can appreciate how hard the setters job is. The following are some setters that embraced their difficult roles and crushed it in Chi-Town.   Remember to follow me on Instagram @Prepdigamy and Facebook @PrepDig Amy for up to date event coverage, stories, and more.    Leidholdt was definitely one of the best floor generals on the court this weekend, leading her 15u squad to the championship win without dropping a set all weekend. She does a great job reading the ball and moving her feet to get behind it which allows her to deliver clean sets to her attackers. She also understands what each attacker needs to be successful and delivers just that. Leidholdt is one of those setters that is poised and doesn't easily rattle. She knows what she needs to do and does it. I plan to keep tabs on this setter and see how much her game grows in the upcoming years.     Lynch is a setter that will do whatever it takes to help her team win. She reads the defense well, feeds the hot hand, and does a great job getting all of her hitters involved on the court, including attackers in the back court. When things are chaotic, teams better beware, this setter will dump and score points herself. Lynch will for sure be one to follow in the upcoming years.     Smith is an aggressive setter with a significant range and great court awareness. She is quick and can deliver amazing out of system sets to the outside pins. She is also strong and bold and will reverse the ball against the flow, resulting in big kills in key moments. One of the things that I especially liked about Smith is that she is aggressive herself and isn't afraid to unleash a perfectly timed setter dump that often lead to kills. I am not sure where Smith is in the recruitment process, but some coach is going to get lucky when they sign her.     Esparza is a highly effective floor general and also a fun setter to watch. She is one of those setters that makes good hitters, great. She moves quickly on he court, pushes the ball to the pin, and delivers precise sets to the location that each hitter needs. She is also constantly communicating on the court, keeping everyone in synch.     Kilroy is a setter that runs a fast offense. She likes to keep the tempo swift and move the ball around to all of her attackers, making defenses scramble to keep up. Kilroy is also solid in right back defense. She anticipates well and hustles nonstop allowing her to pick up numerous tips and dumps and also make incredible saves. I anticipate this won't be the last I hear of Kilroy as I think she has the grit and determination to go far in the volleyball world.     [program_tooltip program_id='431932' first='South' last='Shore Slam'] 16s have had a successful year so far so it came to no surprised that they were in the gold bracket on Sunday. At the helm of their success, is setter Kenley [player_tooltip player_id='768015' first='Mortenson' last='']. [player_tooltip player_id='768015' first='Mortenson' last=''] is a setter with a high game IQ and solid court awareness. Her fast tempo and high window make it hard for defenders to read her…thus, it allows her to deliver sets to her attackers giving them one on one opportunities. She also does a great job getting everyone involved on the court. She had attackers firing from both pins, the middle, and out of the backcourt.

There is always that debate in volleyball about which position is the hardest. The middle spot is grueling so is that it? Or is it the outside hitter that not only has to be able to attack, but block, serve receive, and play defense? Or is it the setter, who has to set clean, consistent balls to their attackers, run the offense and read the opposing teams defense? Regardless of which way you lean, I do think it is safe to say, everyone can appreciate how hard the setters job is. The following are some setters that embraced their difficult roles and crushed it in Chi-Town.