Top Cincinnati High School Setters for 2026

Why Setters Are the Heart of the 2025 Season

July marks The Enquirer’s shift from defensive specialists to the playmakers who run the offense. This year’s class of high school setters across Greater Cincinnati is unusually deep, blending seasoned leaders with promising newcomers. Many of these athletes already hold college commitments, and their squads have posted strong regular seasons while making deep runs in the state tournament.

Skylr Estep – Beechwood

Estep orchestrated the offense for one of the most successful Beechwood seasons in recent memory. She compiled 936 assists, ranking 17th in the state, and added 268 digs, 69 aces, 41 kills and 30 blocks. The Tigers finished 33‑6, captured the All “A” state title and reached a Ninth Region championship game for the first time since 2017. She earned all‑state honorable mention honors and has committed to Virginia‑Wise.

Kelsey Green – Ursuline

Green is one of four seniors anchoring the Lions. Ursuline has appeared in four state tournaments over the past decade and has captured three championships, marking the program as a consistent powerhouse in Southwest Ohio. The 2029 recruit ranks No. 6 in the state and posted 897 assists, 284 digs, 43 kills, 37 aces and 27 blocks during the 2025 season. She earned Greater Catholic League and DIII all‑district first team honors plus all‑state honorable mention.

Kendall Hubbard – Mount Notre Dame

Hubbard returned to her natural setting and delivered a breakout season as the Cougars advanced to the state tournament. She led the Greater Catholic League with 909 assists and added 265 digs, 105 kills, 34 aces and 27 blocks. The Miami University commitment earned all‑league and DII all‑district first team recognition.

Madelyn Keipert – St. Henry

St. Henry is not merely rebuilding after losing five seniors; the program is reloading around Keipert, who stands 10th in Kentucky for the 2028 class. As a sophomore she recorded 879 assists, 274 digs, 147 kills, 45 blocks and 34 aces. The Crusaders pushed Notre Dame to five sets in the Ninth Region championship and look to stay competitive this fall.

Abby Keller – Fenwick

Fenwick figures to be a top contender in Division I now that McNicholas has moved down. The Falcons have a deep senior class and aim to reach their second state tournament in three years. Keller led the Greater Catholic League‑Coed with 558 assists, added 157 digs and 32 aces. She earned GCL‑Coed and District 15 Division I second team honors.

Penelope Reisman – Seton

Reisman will assume primary setting duties for the Saints as they chase a third straight state title. The top-ranked Ohio prospect for the 2028 class posted 422 assists, 147 digs and 33 aces during the 2025 campaign. She has committed to Cincinnati and led Seton to a 28‑0 record.

Maria Schulte – McNicholas

The Rockets aim to extend their run of back‑to‑back state titles with Schulte setting the tempo. As a junior she logged 537 assists, 176 digs, 54 aces and 14 kills. The Duquesne commit earned Greater Catholic League‑Coed honorable mention recognition.

Anabelle Seni – Kings

Seni enters her third year as the Knights’ primary setter after watching Abby Yoder lead Kings to the 2023 state championship. She already boasts over 1,600 career assists. This season she posted 827 assists, 146 digs, 96 kills, 57 blocks and 28 aces while guiding Kings to a district title. Seni was named to the Eastern Cincinnati Conference second team and the all‑district second team.

Kylie Stutzman – Taylor

The two‑time Cincinnati Hills League player of the year and reigning District 16 Division I player of the year does it all for the Yellowjackets. Stutzman is committed to Findlay as a setter but led the CHL with 362 kills in 2025 and added 554 assists, 251 digs, 71 blocks and 59 aces. Taylor posted a 43‑4 overall record, including a perfect 28‑0 league mark, over the past two seasons. As a junior she earned All‑Ohio second team honors and will help Taylor maintain its dominance.

Lucy Waleskowski – St. Ursula

Being a freshman libero in the Greater Catholic League is demanding, and Waleskowski excelled, proving why she ranks as the top Ohio prospect for the 2029 class. She finished third in league assists with 711 and added 268 digs, 152 kills, 43 aces and 36 blocks. She recorded 40 assists in five matches, including a career‑high 51 against Mount Notre Dame. Waleskowski earned 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

Vote for Cincinnati’s Top Setter

This year’s ranking reflects the hard work of many athletes. Make sure to give them an assist by voting in the poll at the bottom of the original story. Readers can vote once per hour and the poll will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 24.