Premier Division Setter Standouts at the PD Gauntlet

While hitters are often the stars of these types of articles, setters should get recognition for the impact they make on the court in every play. In the premier division of the Prep Dig Gauntlet, setters showed up and dominated the courts with outstanding performances. The tournament featured a talented group of floor generals who showcased their ability to distribute the ball, manage tempo, create scoring opportunities and also play some incredible defense (its awesome to see setters that embrace defense as much as offense). Whether it was running an efficient offense, making athletic plays to track down misplaced passes, or even playing defense, these setters proved to be invaluable leaders and major contributors to their teams' overall success.   Remember to follow me on Instagram @Prepdigamy and Facebook @PrepDig Amy for up to date event coverage, stories, and more. Use code "AVG30" for a discount on your initial membership.    Griffiths is a savvy setter who was new to me but immediately caught my attention with her ability to create and finish scoring opportunities. She does a great job leading her hitters, can routinely find her middles when off the net, and will track down balls all over the court to keep plays alive. She is a solid athletic setter, that hustles, knows how to run the offense, and will get the job done no matter what.     Evelo was a setter I hadn't seen before, but she quickly caught my attention with the way she led her team. She was actively communicating, keeping her hitters engaged, and adjusting to their wishes along with her own analysis of the opposing teams defense. I was also impressed by the consistency of her location and the tempo of her sets, giving her attackers quality opportunities to be successful. Even when things weren't perfect (passes too far off the net or too tight), she made the necessary adjustments and continued to push her team, bringing steady leadership and a calm confidence that her team needed.     Jackowski is a 5-1 setter who played a big role in helping her Madtown team fight its way to a third place finish at the Gauntlet. She has a clean release and does a great job mixing up tempo to match her hitters and keep the offense flowing. She runs a smooth offense, keeps her hitters involved, and does a good job spreading the ball around to create scoring opportunities. What stood out most was her ability to shift the momentum with well timed reversals, which made it tough for defenses. She also brings a strong work ethic, giving 100% on every play and do whatever her team needs to win points. Her leadership, competitiveness, and steady presence showed throughout the entire weekend at the Gauntlet.     Leading her team to a 3rd place finish in the 17s premier division, Kaldor is a setter plays with a really aggressive mindset and isn't afraid to take control of the offense. She does a nice job spreading the ball around and keeping defenders guessing by involving all of her hitters. Running a 5-1, she's confident directing the offense, but also keeps defenses honest with those well timed setter dumps when the opportunity presents itself. The best part is that she stays assertive without forcing things and does a good job setting the tone for her team.     Patterson is a 5-1 setter that has a really impressive range and does a great job putting her offense in position to score. She can push the ball all the way out to the pin from the opposite side of the court, find her middles when the pass is off the net....and all while doing it with clean, steady hands. She's intentional with her movements, does a good job squaring up, and reads the defense well to make smart decisions in the moment. Defenses need to be careful with her as she has no problem throwing down a setter dump from the 10 foot line when the timing is right. Overall, she is impressive and fun to watch as she led her team to a impressive 4th place finish.     Dione reads the court really well and seems to stay a step ahead of the defense, which helps her make smart decisions when on the fly. She is smart and crafty; her setter dump is effective at catching teams off guard when they relax. Her hands are smooth and consistent, which allows her to give her attackers good, playable balls to work with. She's also quick to the ball and covers a lot of ground, helping keep plays alive and generating points for her team.     Otten is a 5-1 setter that has probably flown under our radar for a bit, but she definitely stood out at the Gauntlet. She is one of those setters that can do a lot of everything. For starters, she is a highly effective setter with solid hands, clean placement, and consistent tempo that keeps her hitters comfortable and in rhythm. She also contributes on the defensive end, with impressive digs and can also hold her own at the net with a solid, effective block. She stays calm and composed no matter the situation and doesn't seem to get rattled easily. She is the complete package and we can't wait to see more of what she can do.

While hitters are often the stars of these types of articles, setters should get recognition for the impact they make on the court in every play. In the premier division of the Prep Dig Gauntlet, setters showed up and dominated the courts with outstanding performances. The tournament featured a talented group of floor generals who showcased their ability to distribute the ball, manage tempo, create scoring opportunities and also play some incredible defense (its awesome to see setters that embrace defense as much as offense). Whether it was running an efficient offense, making athletic plays to track down misplaced passes, or even playing defense, these setters proved to be invaluable leaders and major contributors to their teams' overall success.