Iowa 2024 Feature Series: Skilled Setters
We’re back at it again in the Hawkeye State, this time with a new position in the spotlight. Our Iowa 2024 feature series kicked off yesterday with a look at some pin hitters who have drawn my attention at the…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe’re back at it again in the Hawkeye State, this time with a new position in the spotlight.
Our Iowa 2024 feature series kicked off yesterday with a look at some pin hitters who have drawn my attention at the events I’ve visited this year. The objective remains the same today as we feature some savvy setters who have been making plenty of big plays to kick off the 2022 calendar year.
This group has some great versatility and potential, so this is likely just a small portion of our discussion on Iowa’s top 2024 setters.
Setting Up Success
The reign of talented Iowa setters is here to stay. Prep volleyball fans in this state are probably used to it by now.
Gabby Lombardi Gabby Lombardi 5'11" | RS Des Moines Christian | 2024 State IA is certainly a good torchbearer candidate in this setter class. She got a shoutout in one of our post-Show Me Qualifier features for her work setting for Six Pack 16 throughout the event. Lombardi’s combination of precise hands and imposing physicality is a huge asset that has lifted Six Pack to impressive performances against the nation’s top 16s teams. And, like some Lombardis of the past, this setter can take a few big swings in the frontcourt, too.
Club Ignit Select is another group that has compiled some nice 2024 setter talent. Brittany Bacorn Brittany Bacorn 5'10" | S Knoxville | 2024 State IA , for example, has done a great job keeping her 16 Blue hitters in rhythm throughout the year, and she can also put up a nice block in her frontcourt rotations. Likewise, Madison Siefken has shown her willingness to be aggressive from the setter spot and has been a natural leader for CIS 16 Green.
We should also revisit that Iowa PowerPlex 16U Black team that has recently found tournament success. There are a couple of names to know from this squad, too, as 16U Black usually rolls out a two-setter system and uses it to its advantage. Hadley Hardersen is an effective setter-opposite for this team who seamlessly transitions between different backcourt and frontcourt roles. Opposing teams always need to key in on Hardersen whether she’s running the offense from the back row or taking swings on the right. Katelyn Lockyear takes over setting duties in Hardersen’s frontcourt rotations and provides some relentless right-back defense to keep PowerPlex in momentum rallies. This wide array of skills was a huge factor in 16U Black’s push to a 16 USA title at Show Me.
Iowa Select also has a collection of multi-talented setters who can impact a match in a variety of ways. We already mentioned Mia Tubbs Mia Tubbs 6'3" | S Clinton | 2024 State IA in our pin hitter feature, but we can’t omit her experience setting at the prep level. Lately, though, we’ve seen Ellie Schubert take control of the Select offense to lead 16 Mizuno to some nice results throughout the qualifier season. With these impressive setter options on the roster, I’m anxious to see more from 16 Mizuno in the near future.
I’ve also had a lot of chances to check out Iowa Rockets 16R, so let’s make sure this club is represented here. Mariah Rollins Mariah Rollins 5'7" | S Iowa City Liberty | 2024 State IA has been an effective setter and signal-caller for this team in the qualifiers I’ve visited, and I have to give major props to 16R for challenging itself in the 16 Open division late in the season. This will not be the last I see of Rollins this year, either, as Rockets secured a 16 USA bid with a podium finish at NLQ.
The last name here I’ll mention is a “cross-stater” that I’ve been able to see a lot over the past couple of years. At Prep Dig, a player’s state affiliation is defined by high school location, so I’ll put Council Bluffs’ Molly Romano Molly Romano 5'10" | S Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln | 2024 State IA in this mix even as she ventures to Nebraska Elite for club competition. This Council Bluffs-to-Nebraska Elite connection evokes memories of past prep standouts like Allie Petry, and Romano is having that kind of impact on the prep scene right now.