Setting the Standard: Elite Setter Performances at NTDP Colorado Springs

The setter position was on full display at today’s NTDP in Colorado Springs, with several athletes separating themselves against elite competition. From tempo and decision-making to physicality and creativity, these setters showed the ability to control the offensive flow and elevate the players around them. Below are some of the top setters who stood out throughout the day and made a strong case as some of the best in their class.

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Piper Chylinski - 2027 - City VBC

A joy to watch competing against top-level talent. Her size and strength immediately stand out and will translate well at the next level. She consistently set with good tempo to both pins, which was a major strength throughout the day. As the day progressed, she also continued to improve her connection with the middles, showing strong adaptability and feel for the offense.

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Taimane Ainu'u - 2028 - Ka Ulukoa

Calm, cool, and collected. Her skill level is evident the moment you watch her play, as she makes the game look effortless. She has an exceptional ability to deliver the ball to either pin from anywhere on the court with ease and precision. It is very obvious why she is arguably the top setter in her class. Watching her is reminiscent of Josh Tuaniga, the former Long Beach State setter who led Long Beach State to back-to-back national championships in 2018 and 2019.

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Tatum Kelly - 2028 - 1st Alliance

It was immediately obvious that she has an excellent feel for her hitters. Her biggest strength on the day was the connection she established with her middles right away, which is extremely impressive in an environment where she hasn’t been working with them all season. Her ability to effectively involve the middles on sets at or behind the 10-foot line is a truly elite quality and stood out throughout the day.

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Charli Niu - 2028 - Austin Jrs

She looked like she belonged from the start, and it was clear she’s a veteran of the NTDP environment. She showed a strong feel for her middles and consistently delivered good tempo to all of her hitters. Her size was also on full display, as she puts up a solid block an attribute that is certainly catching the attention of college coaches.

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Josalyn Samuels - 2028 - Kairos

She immediately stood out with her elite body control, particularly on tight balls to the net. Her ability to go up and handle those situations while still setting her hitters up for success is truly impressive. She delivers the ball with tempo to all attackers and shows excellent footwork, staying balanced no matter where she is setting from. She is high on the list of top setters in her class.

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Alexandra Knox - 2028 - 3dge

She was my favorite setter to watch run her offense throughout the day. She showed extremely consistent tempo with a quick, clean release and did the best job of any setter at holding opposing middles, consistently creating one-on-one opportunities for her pins. She kept blockers guessing all day with her creativity, effectively utilizing the back-row attack even while in system. She was also an offensive threat herself when in the front row, keeping blockers honest by attacking on second contact whenever she identified an opening.

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