Ten Chesapeake Setters Who Have Impressed
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Below are ten setters in the Chesapeake region that have impressed. The one caveat for this list is that I have not seen every Chesapeake setter. The common denominator from this list is the versatility of these setters to play…
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Continue ReadingBelow are ten setters in the Chesapeake region that have impressed. The one caveat for this list is that I have not seen every Chesapeake setter. The common denominator from this list is the versatility of these setters to play other positions. There are some incredible athletes here.
Also, there are more than ten setters that have impressed, but then I love setters and can’t write about them all. They make the offense run. They bring the “Ka” in “Kaboom”. And sometimes those who are the most proficient at their craft go unnoticed because the last thing you see is a gigantic spike and the hitter is mobbed. It is rare you notice the beautiful arc of the set that allowed the hitter the timing to make the kill.
Erin Debiec Erin Debiec 6'1" | S Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State #92 Nation VA (Bishop O’Connell/Metro 16) – She has length at 6’1 and sets for perhaps one of the best 16 teams in the country. She has soft hands, runs the middle well and can orchestrate a quick offense. Metro 16 normally runs a 6/2 so most will not see her front row play, but balls close to the net she can put down with ease. An intelligent player who is aware of the defense on the other side of the net. She is our number three ranked player in the class of 2024.
MacKenzie Calhoun (Glenig/Columbia Black 16) – She led her high school to the 2A championship and was voted first team All Met by the Baltimore Sun and honorable mention by the Washington Post. As an outside hitter. When I watched her she was setting a 5/1 offense for Columbia Volleyball Academy and doing an excellent job. As evidence by her 404 kills the 5’9″ setter has a good presence in the front row. She can also dish out the sets to achieve the kills as well.
Rex Milan (Alexandria/Metro 17) – This is another player that occasionally hits outside for her high school. The 5’11″ setter is best utilized for Metro when she is serving up her sets. She is the leader of this Metro 17 team and has been used as a right side when she is not setting. She appears to have a very calm demeanor on the court and does not panic when chaos happens. Rex has committed to U.C. Santa Barbara.
Trisha Guevara (Stonebridge/Vienna Elite 17-L) – She set her high school team to their first State championship since 2015. The 5’3″ setter also led Vienna Elite to an 18 Junior Nationals appearance. The ex-libero plays a superb defense, unafraid of line shots from the left side hitter. Because of her height she is best used in a 6/2″ but she can also be used in the back row as a defensive specialist when not setting.
Natalie Nguyen Natalie Nguyen 5'5" | S Flint Hill | 2024 State VA (Flint Hill/Metro 16) – This 5’5″ setter runs an excellent quick tempo offense. She set her high school to a state championship and she teams with Erin to set for one of the best 16 clubs in the country. This is her fourth year setting for Metro. Of all the setters here she may be the most consistent in the location of her sets. She reminds me of a Swiss watch with her accuracy.
Paige Ahakuelo Paige Ahakuelo 5'8" | S James Wood | 2024 State VA (James Wood/Paramount 16) – At 5’6″ Paige is another small stature setter that maybe better utilized in a 6/2, but for Paramount she sets a 5/1. She is quick to the ball, jump setting at the net to draw the block. She travels from Winchester to play for Paramount and is pictured above. A very athletic player with lots of potential to improve.
Marguerite Barwick (Chelsea Academy/Vienna Elite 17-L) – This 5’10″ setter made the first team All State for Division III Independent schools. She is a 2024 playing up. She has a nice presence in the front row. Another year at 17s and she will be a difference maker.
Chloe Hokenson Chloe Hokenson 6'1" | S Langley | 2024 State VA (Langley/Virginia Elite 16) – When you first see the 6’1″ Chloe on the court your first thought is of a middle. As a setter she has the soft hands to dish out the sets and with her height you have to be aware of her in the front row. Her serve also accumulates aces with a nice downward trajectory.
Clara Yu Clara Yu 5'10" | S Georgetown Day | 2024 State VA (Sidwell Friends/Metro 16) – She is listed at 5’10″. With Metro 16 the quality of setting between the three Metro 16 setters is miniscule. Clara could be a 5/1 setter for almost any club. She is quick to the ball and is adept at setting any area of the court.
Saige Thibodeaux (North Stafford/St. James 16 Navy) – The first two tournaments I watched her play she was a quality left side hitter. The third tournament she was a 6/2 setter leading her team to the East Coast championship. She is listed at 5’7″ and with her high volleyball IQ setting may be the best position for her. If she sets though you lose her precision passing. Just an all around great athlete.
Bonus pick Claire Mo (Paramount 15) – Last year she set her 13 team to the Junior Nationals. This year she skipped a year and this 2026 set her 15 team to the Nationals. I have not seen her set this year so I can’t put her in the “impressed” list, but when she was 13 and looking for a position to play I saw her as a setter. She stands 5’8″ now and there is growth to come.