Top Cincinnati High School Setters to Watch for 2026 Season

Why Setters Matter This Summer

As The Enquirer rolls into July, the focus shifts from defensive specialists to the players who dictate the pace of the game. This year’s crop of high‑school setters is deeper than ever, with a mix of returning leaders and rising stars ready to shape conference battles and state‑title runs. The upcoming previews will spotlight which point‑guards can turn individual statistics into team victories, giving fans a glimpse of what’s ahead for the fall season.

Offensive firepower often begins with a clean, accurate set, so tracking the top 12 to 15 players in Southwest Ohio gives a reliable gauge of each program’s prospects. Whether they are committing to college programs now or still developing, these setters combine high assist totals with defensive contributions, giving their teams multiple avenues to success. Understanding their roles now helps fans anticipate which squads could break through at regionals and beyond.

Skylr Estep – Beechwood’s Assist Machine

Beechwood’s Skylr Estep watches a ball fall out of bounds during the Tigers’ match against Scott on Aug. 18, 2025.

Estep anchored one of the most successful Tiger seasons in program history, racking up 936 assists – good for 17th in the state. Her defensive showcase included 268 digs, 69 aces, 41 kills and 30 blocks as Beechwood finished 33‑6, captured the All “A” state championship and reached a Ninth Region tournament game for the first time since 2017. She earned all‑state honorable mention honors and has already committed to the University of Virginia at Wise, signaling her potential to impact college volleyball.

Kelsey Green – Ursuline’s Junior Anchor

Kelsey Green (7) scores the point at the net for Ursuline at the OHSAA Division III, Region 12, girls volleyball tournament, Oct. 29, 2025.

Green is one of four dynamic juniors propelling the Lions, and her numbers illustrate why she’s ranked No. 6 in Ohio for the class of 2029. In the 2025 season she posted 897 assists, 284 digs, 43 kills, 37 aces and 27 blocks, helping Ursuline make four state tournaments in the past decade and win three titles. She was tabbed to the Girls Greater Catholic League and DIII all‑district first teams and received all‑state honorable mention recognition.

Kendall Hubbard – Mount Notre Dame’s Rebound Setter

Mount Notre Dame’s Kendall Hubbard (2) serves during their volleyball game against St. Ursula on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025.

A return to her true setter position allowed Hubbard to truly shine as the Cougars reclaimed a spot in the state tournament. She led the GGCL with 909 assists while also adding 265 digs, 105 kills, 34 aces and 27 blocks. The Miami University commit earned all‑league and DII all‑district first‑team honors, signaling her growth after a positional shift.

Madelyn Keipert – St. Henry’s Rising Sophomore

St. Henry’s Madelyn Keipert (13) sets the ball against Notre Dame in the third set of the Ninth Region volleyball final at Ryle High School Oct. 29, 2025.

Keipert, ranked 10th in Kentucky for the class of 2028 per PrepDig, will be a centerpiece for the Crusaders as they reload after graduating five seniors. As a sophomore she posted 879 assists, 274 digs, 34 assists, 147 kills, 45 blocks and 34 aces, pushing St. Henry to a five‑set showdown against Notre Dame in the Ninth Region final. Her dual‑threat skills and poise under pressure make her a key candidate to lead the team deeper into postseason play.

Abby Keller – Fenwick’s Experienced Leader

Bishop Fenwick’s Abby Keller (6) sets the ball during their OHSAA tournament game against Kenton Ridge Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

With McNicholas moving to DIII, the Falcons aim to fill the void with Keller’s seasoned play. She topped the Greater Catholic League‑Coed with 558 assists and added 157 digs and 32 aces in 2025, earning GCL‑Coed and District 15 DIV second‑team nods. Fenwick’s deep senior class hopes to advance to a second state tournament in three years, and Keller’s consistency will be vital to that goal.

Penelope Reisman – Seton’s Top‑Ranked Junior Setter

Seton’s Penelope Reisman sets up Charley Moeddel in their OHSAA Division I state championship game on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Wright State University.

As the Saints transition to a new primary setter, Reisman steps into a leadership role after a standout sophomore campaign. The Ohio top‑ranker for the class of 2028 tallied 422 assists, 147 digs and 33 aces in 2025, reinforcing Seton’s pursuit of a third straight Division I state crown. Her commitment to the University of Cincinnati adds college credibility to an already impressive resume.

Maria Schulte – McNicholas’s Consistency at the Net

Maria Schulte (21) of McNicholas passes the ball back towards her teammates in the OHSAA regional volleyball final Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.

The Rockets aim to capture back‑to‑back state titles, and Schulte’s distribution is a cornerstone of that plan. As a junior she recorded 537 assists, 176 digs, 54 aces and 14 kills, earning a GCL‑Coed honorable mention. The Duquesne University commitment provides the stability needed for McNicholas to sustain its championship pace.

Anabelle Seni – Kings’ Veteran Setter Leads District Title Run

Kings’s Anabelle Seni signals to her teammates during the Knights’ match at Turpin on Oct. 9, 2025.

Seni enters her third year as the Knights’ starter after watching Abby Yoder guide Kings to a 2023 state championship. Her impressive résumé now includes over 1,600 career assists, highlighted by a 2025 district‑champion season where she posted 827 assists, 146 digs, 96 kills, 57 blocks and 28 aces. She earned Eastern Cincinnati Conference second‑team and all‑district second‑team honors, underscoring her pivotal role.

Kylie Stutzman – Taylor’s Dual‑Threat Powerhouse

The two‑time Cincinnati Hills League player of the year and reigning District 16 DIV player of the year truly does it all for the Yellowjackets. She is committed to the University of Findlay as a setter but led the CHL with 362 kills in 2025 and also contributed 554 assists, 251 digs, 71 blocks and 59 aces. Taylor is 43‑4 over the past two seasons, including a perfect 28‑0 league mark, and was an All‑Ohio second‑team selection as a junior, positioning her to keep the Yellowjackets dominant.

Lucy Waleskowski – St. Ursula’s Rising Freshman Liberio

Saint Ursula’s Lucy Waleskowski sets a teammate in the second game against Loveland in the OHSAA Division I, Region 3, final on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at Lakota West High School.

Being a freshman libero in the GGCL is no small task, but Waleskowski performed with poise, earning top‑rank recognition as Ohio’s No. 1 player for the class of 2029 per PrepDig. She led the league in assists with 711 while also contributing 268 digs, 152 kills, 43 aces and 36 blocks. Her ability to deliver 40‑assist games—including a career‑high 51 versus Mount Notre Dame—earned her all‑league first‑team and all‑district third‑team honors.

Additional Setters to Watch in 2026

• Kennedy Baker – Lakota East
• Mya Bosse – Ross
• Jenna Brown – Clermont Northeastern
• Kenna Farris – Harrison
• Emma Guth – West Clermont
• Lacey Hunt – Holy Cross
• Shylyn Koerber – Conner
• Faith Lockhart – Simon Kenton
• Madi Long – Milford
• Mandy Ludwick – Turpin
• Lila McCarty – Western Brown
• Natalia McGlynn – Calvary Christian
• Emma McGraw – Roger Bacon
• Dee Dee O’Malley – Madeira
• Ellie Osterkamp – Notre Dame
• Aubrey Rebholz – Bishop Brossart
• Rose Rodriguez – Fairfield
• Elle Seichter – Madeira
• Macee Steele – Goshen
• Ava Thelen – Mercy McAuley
• Meredith Walker – Summit Country Day

Fans can cast their votes for the top setter in Greater Cincinnati girls volleyball at the bottom of the story, with polls closing at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 24. Stay tuned to see which of these performers rises to the top as the season approaches.