Setter Showdown: Search for the Starter

With the two-time second-team All-American and Big Ten Setter of the Year Bergen Reilly coming into her Junior season as an established leader and core pillar of the team – there would be few candidates able to come onto campus and uproot her starting spot– nonetheless a freshman. Campbell Flynn – a 6’3 setter out of Oakland, Michigan, and the Gatorade National Player of Year – is probably the only up-and-comer in the country that could give her a run for her money. They will spend the spring battling it out for the prestigious role, and carry deep implications for how the offense will be run next season. Setters are like conductors; they may have the same instruments, but Reilly and Flynn each bring a distinct melody to their orchestration. 

​

Bergen is more subdued; with her stone-cold demeanor, she sets in subtle motions and deceptive decisions – outsmarting the block through her concealed choices and getting them to dance to her own tune. However, this strategy is reliant on stable passing and without a foundational core, the offense is prone to collapse, becoming predictable. While her connection with Andi looked better than ever last year, it seemed as if Rebekah was often underset and Merritt was reaching backwards on her swings – it’s the individual tweaks and connections that need to be refined in order to run a balanced offense. We saw her grow reliant on the pins last season, so it’s good to hear that Dani has been trying to get them to push the middles more and set against the flow. 

​

If Bergen is icy-cool, then Campbell is ardent and fiery. Her offense is quick and explosive – bang-bang plays and aggressive choices. Her athletic build influences her game in a myriad of aspects; allowing her to sling the ball across the net effortlessly, save tight balls at the net, and suffocate opponents attacks. Not only that, but her left-handedness allows for a special sneak attack – hammering over her shoulder at the last moment. While Bergen fools the blockers with her deception, Campbell can simply overwhelm them with pure force. Her experience in the opposite position plays into her offensive mindset, and it adds to her array of prowess – able to be utilized in a variety of ways for the Huskers. She is still raw and ready to be cultivated, and it will be over the next four years in the practice gym that her full potential will come to fruition and the benefits will be reaped. 

​

So, what are some other ways – if not starting – that DBK could utilize the top setter recruit in the country in order to keep her happy enough to stay for the next two years? It’s a question most of Husker Nation has in the back of their minds, and many fear having such a talent sit the bench for two seasons after the Jurevicius incident, it’s an understandable fear that her talent could slip through the cracks. While the starting spot hasn’t been set in stone, Reilly has the upper hand and it’s hers to lose. Flynn, who is taller and more physical, could be employed as a blocking sub if Reilly wasn’t providing enough defense at the net. She also has a float serve that –when hit at such a high point from her left hand – makes it especially nasty on passers. However, Reilly has developed exponentially in all other aspects of her game, becoming a respectable blocking presence at the net as well as a worthy member of Nebraska’s esteemed floor defense. She is certainly not a liability in either of these skills, and if Flynn were to be subbed in to bolster the right side defense, she will have to prove herself worthy of the spot.

​

With the prior spring game versus Kansas, we got to witness both setters in action and have some more insight shed into the battle. You could tell that it was a major emphasis to push to middles more, and both setters did exactly that; Rebekah and Andi led in kills, as well as both hitting at an incredibly efficient percent. Even when the passes weren’t ideal, they found a way to feed the hot-hands, and Andi Jackson was quite literally lights out on the slide attack. I was very impressed with Flynn’s debut, while she had a few misconnections, her set location was really solid and she got her hitters so many one-on-ones. Her connection with fellow lefty and freshman, Ryan Hunter, was lethal, as well as with Teraya Sigler. Campbell and Teraya’s connection emulates that of Reilly and Murray, and I can’t wait to watch it develop over the years. From a leadership standpoint, they each brought a different demeanor to the court, but the level of play and energy barely faltered when they switched. It says a lot about this team that they can be successful with almost any lineup they put on the floor. However, it is the setter's job to be the glue that ties it all together, and the team's success is intrinsically linked with their ability to exploit the capacity of its talent. Nebraska is more than abundant with talent, so they simply have to find a conductor that administers the most triumphant symphony. 

​

​