Emerson Keeney, a 2031 setter from Austin, with a fierce game. Standing at 5’3, she faces a little adversity but that did not stop her from making a statement this past weekend. Running a clean and quick tempo from the start of position work, Emerson made her presence known. With quick, light footwork and impressive defensive reads, she also showcased her ability to play defense first, a highlight quality coaches look for in their setters. Catch her this club season with Austin Skyline 14 Black, running the court.

The challenge for a setter who stands 5’3″ is not physical. It is positional and mental. Every ball has to be gotten to faster, every decision made quicker, and every set delivered with enough precision to compensate for a release point that is lower than what most offenses prefer. Miss Keeney has clearly been working on all of those things because she showed up and showed out at this event. Her footwork throughout the Up Next San Antonio camp was ahead of where most players her class year are operating and she squared her hips before release with a consistency that told evaluators she has been coached well and has been listening. She was vocal and purposeful with her hitters and the way she kept the system moving even when a pass was imperfect showed a player who understands that a setter’s job does not stop when the first contact is bad. What I liked the most and what I hope she never loses is her amazing attitude.  She was always smiling and yet still extremely competitive.  I loved the way she slapped the floor when her hitters killed the ball.  I will be watching her progress closely and you should also. Please help us congratulate her on earning a Top Performer award for this showcase.