setter characteristics

Question
Hi Steve!  

My 15 year old daughter Annie has been a setter with club teams for 3 years and h.s. for one.  She is only 5'6" and probably done growing but is extremely fast and her setting skills are well thought of by some top club coaches.

What can she do to get an edge in competing for college?

Also, can you suggest what you consider the top setting camps this summer?  We are willing to travel.

Thanks for being there, Steve!

Joanie Collins

Answer
Joanie,

Your daughter will be able to find a college to play in BUT it will be hard to find a DI school.  Seton Hall had a 5'6" setter a few years ago but she could jump through the roof and was a great defensive player.  Go to Richkern.com, he had almost every college web site on line.  You can look at the web site and see the teams rosters and get an idea about a coaches philosophy.  Look for a coach that likes to run a 6-2.  When we go to recruit we are looking for 5'11" or taller.  We don't always get that but that is our goal.  

If your daughter can set well have her practice jumping.  Do plyometric exercises (there are many books that you can probably find in the library).  If she can increase her vertical jump she will become more attractive to coaches.

There are so many camps out there that it is hard to recommend one over the other because I am not sure how much instruction the head coach does.  Look for a program that  either the head coach or one of the assistant coaches set in college.  I have great respect for Notre Dame so that may be an option.  I also know that Sports Performance VBC in Ill. is very well know for the quality of setters coming out of their program (you can find their information online.

I hope this helped.
Steve