Neely is an interesting one. She’s gone all-in on setting this past year, so she’s still catching up there, but she’s been putting in the work, there’s no question. Plenty of schools/teams will only look at tall setters that can play 6 rotations and give you offense and defense at the net, that’s the 5-1 for you. I’m more of a 6-2 guy, but that’s a different debate. It’s too early to tell what Broadneck is going to run this season after losing two starters to graduation and two more to injuries. When I saw them, it looked like a modified 5-2 going on with both her and Barrett getting some setting time and playing front and back row, it was kind of interesting to watch, but that means serve receive duties, and back row defense on top of her front row skills, so there’s a lot for her to be involved with this season. She’s going to be a key to this team this year for sure.

Neely replaced Brie Mouton Brie Mouton 5'7" | S Annapolis Area Christian | 2029 State VA setting a 5/1 for BAVA. At 6/1 she has good height to play in the front row. She only started setting this past club season. Prior to that she played middle. She also is used to running a fast offense for BAVA where all the sets, including the outsides are quick. She will have to make an adjustment when playing with other teams moving to a slower tempo. The biggest challenge for a setter is playing to the hitter’s strength.

Neely plays for Broadneck. As a middle last year she did not get a lot of playing time. She loves setting but Broadneck has a number of talented setters, including Metro setters Barrett Bolter Barrett Bolter 5'8" | S Broadneck | 2027 State VA and Alexis Luscomb Alexis Luscomb 5'9" | S Broadneck | 2029 State VA . Last year Alexis played libero.

At our frosh showcase last year Neely won a top performer award as a 6’0″ middle. She showed up at this stock up showcase as a 6’1″ setter. Ironic that she replaced Brie Mouton Brie Mouton 5'7" | S Annapolis Area Christian | 2029 State VA as the setter for BAVA 15.

Neely runs a fast paced offense for BAVA. Her slide sets were delivered a little too quickly for the middles to adjust. At these showcases it is not uncommon for setters to have difficulty finding their timing with middles on the quick tempo sets.

Broadneck already has three capable setters on their roster. While her club coach may like a faster paced offense Neely will have to learn to adjust her sets to a player’s capability. Setters who can adjust to hitters are valued commodities.

Neely certainly has the tools to set. With her height she can set a 5/1 or run a 6/2 while still staying in the front row to hit the right side. It will be interesting how Broadneck addresses their setting overload. When she played for Broadneck as a frosh Neely was classified as a middle. While she made the varsity roster she saw minimal playing time.

Neely ranks at number 18 in our class of 2029, just a few notches below Brie. Two of the setters who play for Broadneck set for Metro. Last year with an overload at setter Alexis Luscomb Alexis Luscomb 5'9" | S Broadneck | 2029 State VA played the libero position.

It is rare to see a middle blocker in one year transforms into a setter the next year. That defines the transformation of Neely this year. She has done an excellent job taking over for Brie Mouton Brie Mouton 5'7" | S Annapolis Area Christian | 2029 State VA running the BAVA offense. It appears she is the tallest player on the team, but her hands are soft and her sets are accurate.

Even with that height she doesn’t focus on putting the ball over the net in two when in the front row. She distributes her sets well and on occasion generates a kill in the front row to force the defense to keep an eye on her.

It will be an interesting dilemma for the Broadneck coach next year with three quality setters on the roster. Last year they had three setters but Alexis Luscomb Alexis Luscomb 5'9" | S Broadneck | 2029 State VA shifted to the libero role. This year they may also have three setters with Barrett Bolter Barrett Bolter 5'8" | S Broadneck | 2027 State VA , Alexis and Neely with a fourth setter Lexi Britton Lexi Britton 5'7" | S Broadneck | 2028 VA who rarely gets an opportunity.

Last year Brie Mouton Brie Mouton 5'7" | S Annapolis Area Christian | 2029 State VA set a 5/1 for BAVA. She left to play for Metro National this year. Stepping up to set is the 6’1″ Neely Olish Neely Olish 6'1" | S/MB Broadneck | 2029 State VA . Last year she played middle for BAVA. Watching her set this year clearly shows she has the ability to move the ball around the net with pretty good accuracy. Also, while in the front row she is a threat to dump the ball over the net.

For Broadneck she saw little playing time as a middle. Barrett Bolter Barrett Bolter 5'8" | S Broadneck | 2027 State VA and Alexis Luscomb Alexis Luscomb 5'9" | S Broadneck | 2029 State VA are bot setters for Metro as well as possible future setters for Broadneck. This past season Alexis played libero while Sydney Lawrence Sydney Lawrence 5'9" | S Broadneck | 2026 State VA set from the front row as well as blocked middle. Neely has a couple inches on Sydney which would allow her to take that same role.

It will be interesting to see where the road takes Neely. She certainly has the skills to be an accomplished setter. Her height makes it even more intriguing.

When Bay Area Volleyball Club (BAVA) lost setter Brie Mouton Brie Mouton 5'7" | S Annapolis Area Christian | 2029 State VA to Metro National they needed to find another setter. It appears to have come from a very unlikely source in 6’1″ middle Neely Olish Neely Olish 6'1" | S/MB Broadneck | 2029 State VA .

At our last Prep Dig showcase she won a top performer award as a middle hitter. Now she is turning her attention to setting. Like Brie Mouton Brie Mouton 5'7" | S Annapolis Area Christian | 2029 State VA did last year she is setting a 5/1.

It is not an easy transition however Neely seems to have a fondness for setting. That is half the battle. For Broadneck Sydney Lawrence Sydney Lawrence 5'9" | S Broadneck | 2026 State VA graduated leaving three setters in Barrett Bolter Barrett Bolter 5'8" | S Broadneck | 2027 State VA , Lexi Britton Lexi Britton 5'7" | S Broadneck | 2028 VA and Alexis Luscomb Alexis Luscomb 5'9" | S Broadneck | 2029 State VA . Last year Alexis played libero for Broadneck but she has returned to setting for Metro. It will be interesting how this all works out.

The biggest skill Neely needs to work on is consistency of location. If any setter can master that they are gold.