We spent three days covering 15-17 Open at the Salt Lake City Showdown. Yes, there was 18 Open too but we focused on the younger age groups because of the 18s qualifier in So Cal this past weekend. Below, we highlight some of the top setters we saw throughout the course of the weekend. The athletes featured are from what we witnessed with our own eyes and who we thought was performing well at the time we saw them playing.
15 OPEN
Avery Lim, Setter, AZ Storm 15 Thunder – Lim, who is playing up an age group, has some nice options to dish to. Yet, one of the things that stood out is her effort on defense. She did a nice job of getting some balls up and covering a tip.
Julia Waller, Setter, Absolute 15 Black – It’s hard to argue against the fact Waller helps the Absolute offense tick. She’s adept at moving the ball around, has nice hands and delivery and just overall looks smooth playing the position.
Jordyn Moore, Setter/Right Side, Excel 15 National Red – Moore is a versatile player who Excels relies on. She hits across the front row and does a good job setting across the back as she has a soft touch to her delivery.
Tenesyn Frye, Setter, Idaho Crush 15 Bower – Frye is part of an ID Crush team that isn’t lacking for size. She helps make up a big right side block when she’s up front. She also does a good job of varying her sets and putting the ball in a hittable window.
Kaia Thiele, Setter, Alamo 15 Premier – Depending on what Alamo wants to do, Thiele can run a 5-1 or be part of a 6-2 where she actually sets across the front row. She’s consistent with her location and effective connecting with the middles.
Naya Salfiti, Setter/Right Side, Madfrog 15 Green – As a two-way player, Salfiti is valuable because of her versatility. She hits across the front and sets in the back. In the front, she’s an option to be sure and can help carry the offense at times. She’s also tall and a lefty, so the future looks bright.
16 OPEN
Charlie Fuerbringer, Setter/Right Side, Mizuno Long Beach 16 Rockstar – When it comes to volleyball IQ, Fuerbringer is top notch. She sees the game well and is smooth in whatever she’s doing. When she hits on the right side, she’s a smart attacker and helps carry the offense. Beach used her in a 5-1 on Day 3 and she excels as a setter with her sharp sets and ability to move the ball around.
Gabriella Reeves, Setter, Alamo 16 Premier – We classify Reeves as a gamer. She works hard at her position and puts in a strong defensive effort.
Taryn Dewese, Setter, TVC 16 Black – At 6-0, Dewese is a tall setter and adds some needed height to the lineup for Toledo. She does a good job running the offense and can run tempo sets at times to catch the defense off guard.
Kate Schneeberg, Setter, UPVBC 16 Open – Ultimate doesn’t have a lot of size so Schneeberg’s height at the setting position really helps out when she’s across the front row. With her running the offense the team was on the cusp of reaching the gold pools.
Alyssa Forelli, Setter, AZ Rev 16 Premier – Forelli is pretty consistent with her location and has good hands.
Izzy Starck, Setter/Right Side, Co Jrs 16 Sherri – Starck is as an impressive player as there was in the 16s over the weekend, as there’s nothing she can’t do on the court. Co Jrs will use her to pass, set and hit and she’s well above average in all of them. Her location on her sets is rarely off and the way she jumps and attacks with physicality makes her a go-to option in the front row.
Kierstin Remensperger, Setter, Coast 16-1 – The better Coast passes the better Remensperger can direct the offense. When in system, she’s good at moving the ball around and connects well with the middles to help balance out the offense.
17 OPEN
Annika Sokol, Setter/Right Side, Co Jrs 17 Kevin – There’s no questioning Sokol and how integral she is to Co Jrs’ success. She’s a solid setter who was mixing it up to her hitters. She’s also someone Co Jrs relies on to score when she’s in the front row, as Co Jrs will set her on the right or run her on the X as she’s a smart hitter.
Alexandra Bower, Setter, ID Crush 17 Bower – Although Crush wasn’t able to qualify from Day 3 gold pools, the Idaho club is a pesky opponent to figure out and beat. Part of that is the setting of Bower, who consistently puts her hitters in good situations to score. She also has a knack when to dump it over herself and catch the defense off guard.
Lexi Yoza, Setter, AZ Rev 17 Premier – A couple of the things Yoza does well when in system is setting against the flow and getting her right side a clean look as well as being able to run tempo sets and not allow the block to fully set up.
Zoe Rachow, Setter, Coast 17-1 – Rachow is physically strong setter and can get everyone involved in the attack. She’s good at setting behind her and setting up the right-side attack.
