The first big step for the setters is when the middles team up with the setters to run the quick tempo sets/slides. A couple setter rotations occurred with little contact being made by the middles. When Adelena rotated to the middles the contact rate for the quick tempo sets increased dramatically. Adelena also brings good quickness to the position with the ability to chase bad passes. She does a pretty good job with the jump set as well.

At the Shamrock Showdown Adelena ran a 5/1 for Loudoun Elite , setting them to a third place finish. For Stone Bridge Adelena made the varsity roster as a frosh. She was one of two players listed as a setter, both frosh in what turned out to be a winless season. With four frosh on their roster last season they hope for better results this season now that the frosh have gained more experience.

People that know me well know that I’ve got a soft spot for Loudon Elite. It’s one of the clubs that’s run so well, has great coaching, and every one of their teams just fights and makes every game tough. I love these kids, and Adelena is just the next in line for me. She was in a group with some high profile and very good setters, and still stood out to me ahead of everyone else. She checked all the boxes I was looking for in a setter, great footwork, the jump set looked good, the hands were smooth, which is the biggest box for me to check, sets were accurate, and she performed well on every court, with every passer, and every hitter she was mixed with. When I saw a hitter standing out, most often she was their setter. When I saw a good soft touch set made that caught my eye, it was her. I think she’s going to make large jumps up the list of setters for the year and is going to be a top one to watch the next three years.

She set a 5/1 for Loudoun Elite Tony, leading them to a third place finish in the Shamrock Showdown. She also was one of four frosh to make the varsity for Stone Bridge. While they failed to win a match last year better results are expected for next year. Three of the four frosh rank in our class of 2029.

Adelena also showed a good serve in the Chesapeake Regional Bid championship stringing off two four point service runs. Unfortunately, Loudoun Elite failed to earn a bid and appear destined to play in AAUs.

There is a StoneBridge team in Southern Virginia that finished 38-0. There is also a Stone Bridge team in Northern Virginia that finished 0-13. Hard to believe that Adelena played for the latter. She is one of four frosh that made the Bulldog roster last year so perhaps there is hope for the future.

She set a 5/1 for Loudoun Elite Tony in the set I watched getting them to a third place finish in a competitive 15 Open. One of those players on our watch list that has panned out well.