No player dictates the fortunes of volleyball like the setter.

Involved in more action than any player on the team, an elite setter establishes the offensive rhythm and turns poor passes into scoring opportunities. She needs court awareness and instinctive feel for the flow of the match along with great all-around ball control.

That’s why the AL.com A-List of the state’s best high school senior volleyball players is rife with setters.

“The 2024 class is the strongest setting class I have seen in my 10 years in Alabama,” said McGill-Toolen coach Kate Wood. “The North-South All Star roster this summer could have been filled with 2024 setters. I have enjoyed watching all of them compete over the last few years and it will be exciting to see them continue into their collegiate careers.”

Outside hitters usually dominate postseason teams with flashy kills and gaudy statistics, but there’s no action without the setter.

Eight setters are among the AL.com A-List top 30 players with even more listed as players to watch.

See the list below, compiled by the AL.com sports staff with input from coaches and other volleyball experts.

AL.COM A-LIST SUPER SENIORS

30. STELLA HELMS, BRIARWOOD

5-6, Outside hitter/Defensive specialist

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 361 kills, 445 digs, 69 aces and selected AL.com Super All-State last season last season. Her father, Wes, played Major League Baseball for 13 seasons, with the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Florida Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies.

WHAT COACH CARLY CLINE SAID: Stella Helms is a dynamic player who is committed and hardworking. She is a leader on and off the court, who demonstrates daily her love for the game, her teammates and most importantly, Christ. Stella has a promising volleyball career ahead and I’m proud to be her coach.

29. LAUREN SCHUESSLER, OAK MOUNTAIN

5-9, Setter/Opposite

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 238 digs, 152 kills, 26 blocks, 424 assists, 74 aces and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. She has played multiple sports throughout high school, including volleyball, basketball, softball, and bowling. Schuessler will participate in volleyball, bowling and softball her senior season.

WHAT COACH GRACE BURGESS SAID: Lauren Schuessler is a competitor. She has an extremely high volleyball IQ and finds ways to score for her team. She is an athletic kid who can fill whatever role her team needs. Her sophomore year, she was a 6-rotation outside for us before moving to the setting position last year. This year, she will contribute in multiple roles: setting, passing, outside and right side. Her teammates trust her to get the job done for us.

28. AUBREY LACKEY, CURRY

5-5, Libero/Defensive specialist

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 710 digs, 73 aces (93 percent serve percentage) and selected AL.com Super All-State last season last season. She also excels in softball and was a member of the 2022 state championship team.

WHAT COACH ANNA CLAIRE HARRIS SAID: Aubrey is one of those kids that you can’t help but to just love. The standard she holds herself to is nothing less than excellence and it shows through her performance. I have no doubt that this kid will go places, and I can’t wait to have a front row seat.

27. KATELYN ST.CLAIR, SAND ROCK

5-9, Outside hitter

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 495 kills (4.3 per set), 61 aces, 335 digs, 35 blocks and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Named softball second team all-state and third team in basketball. St.Clair ranks eighth in her class standings. Brother, Jacob, was first team all-state basketball player last year and now plays for Arkansas State.

WHAT COACH LISA BATES SAID: Katelyn is a talented and well-rounded multi-sport athlete here at Sand Rock, excelling in everything she does. She is a powerful outside hitter that represents us well on and off the court.

26. ALICE GARZON, MOUNTAIN BROOK

5-10, Middle

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

343 kills, 48 digs, 87 blocks, 9 aces and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Garzon is a team captain for the second straight season.

WHAT COACH MATTIE GARDNER SAID: Alice is one of the most talented, underrated middles in the state so I’m thrilled that she is gaining well-deserved recognition. Alice leads by example. Her dominant play in blocking and attacking sets the standard for our team. Her drive to continue to improve when others are complacent with their play have allowed her to get better and better with each year. Alice’s humility is also what makes her such a great player and leader. Her teammates and coaches trust and respect her tremendously.

25. ALLIE BRYANT, PLEASANT VALLEY

5-4, Outside hitter/Setter/Defensive specialist

COLLEGE: Gadsden State

BITS AND PIECES: 479 kills, 486 digs, 13 blocks, 290 assists, 97 aces and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Comes from an athletic family with mom and coach, Dana, and sisters Ashley and Anna all earning all-state honors and playing at the college level. Allie plays piano and sings at church for the worship team.

WHAT COACH DANA BRYANT SAID: Allie has the type Is personality that creates stability wherever she’s at. She doesn’t change with every fleeting event or drama. Allie is just Allie. She works hard. She is focused. Her faith is unwavering. Allie doesn’t need to be the center of attention. Actually, she’s just the opposite. She doesn’t like extra attention.

24. AVA BOYLL, LAWRENCE COUNTY

5-9, Outside hitter

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 510 kills, 355 digs, 66 blocks, 43 aces and selected AL.com Super All-State last season last season. Boyll draws strength from her mother, Courtney Carpenter-Boyll, who was a multi-sport all-state athlete at Hatton, but was involved in a car accident that left her a paraplegic. Ava also plays basketball and golf.

WHAT COACH ROBYN HUTTO SAID: Ava is her own and toughest critic. The days she combats those tough times and thoughts she is dynamite. She also has the skill set to do it all, from setting earlier in her career to being the top outside hitter for our team the past three seasons.

23. ISABEL HILL, TRINITY

5-9, Libero/Defensive Specialist

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 608 digs with a 2.14 serve-receive rating on 729 attempts, 76 assists, 73 aces and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Maintained a 4.27 GPA while helping soccer team to state title as sophomore in addition to running track and playing travel volleyball. She’s SGA vice president along with member of national honor society, Spanish honor society and math honor society. Hill is a middle school bible study leader, officer for the Trinity ambassadors and member of the interact club.

WHAT COACH SARAH DUBBERLEY SAID: Isabel Hill is the kind of kid you want on your team. She is an encourager, gives her all, desires to improve and doesn’t complain. She maintains a positive attitude no matter the situation and is just a joy to coach.

22. BROOKLYN HALL, GERALDINE

5-10, Middle

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 457 kills (.376 hitting percentage), 42 aces, 95 blocks, 100 digs, 24 assists and selected AL.com Super All-State last season last season. She’s ranked No. 5 in her graduating class and lifeguards during the summer.

WHAT COACH RENEE BEARDEN SAID: Brooklyn is not only an excellent student athlete, she’s an excellent young lady. She is a strong blocker and has an eye offensively to score. Brooklyn works hard to not only push herself, but she also holds her teammates accountable to work at their top potential.

21. ELIZABETH THOMAS, HUNTSVILLE

5-6, Defensive specialist

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 234 digs, 47 aces last season. Her nickname is Liz and she carries a 4.2 GPA.

WHAT COACH MELANIE DONAHOO SAID: She is an extrovert and has great energy on the floor.

20. CHLOE MITTELSTADT, THOMPSON

6-1, Right side

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: First year to play high school sports after previously competing in club volleyball. She’s nicknamed Chlo-bug and a voracious reader. Mittelstadt scored 31 on the ACT test. Her father competed for the shot put state championship in high school.

WHAT COACH JUDY GREEN SAID: We’re thrilled to have Chloe with us for her senior year. She is the real deal and can and will compete at a very high level. Her presence on the back pin gives us a terminal attacker who can put balls away. She has raised the level of play in our gym since day 1. Her level-headedness and intense competitiveness will help our team immensely.

19. CLARISSA DUPREE, ST. PAUL’S

5-11, Outside hitter

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 265 kills with a .220 hitting percentage, 34 blocks, 145 digs last season. St. Paul’s had a Super Power exercise last season where teammates decided each player’s super power, something unique to that player and something the team needed. DuPree’s super power was comfort, meaning that would provide comfort if a teammate was struggling. Capes were made, including one for Captain Comfort. She also plays varsity basketball.

WHAT COACH LISA MARSTON SAID: Clarissa began her volleyball career as a middle so she is able to attack in different locations in a variety of tempos. The higher the competition, the better she plays. She’s a fun player to watch and will be crucial to us this season.

18. MABREY WHITEHEAD, OAK MOUNTAIN

5-7, Outside hitter

COLLEGE: North Alabama (beach volleyball)

BITS AND PIECES: 62 aces, 251 kills, 29 blocks, 32 assists, 276 digs last season. She is on the verge of achieving multiple career milestones. Including 100 career aces, 500 career kills and 500 career digs.

WHAT COACH GRACE BURGESS SAID: Mabrey Whitehead is a kind and encouraging teammate. She brings the best out of her teammates with her positive attitude and strong work ethic. She works incredibly hard to put herself in situations to find offensive success and is a grounding force for us defensively and in serve-receive. Her teammates trust her to get the job done for us.

17. KAILEY DICKERSON, ALEXANDRIA

5-9, Outside hitter

COLLEGE: Wallace State

BITS AND PIECES: 601 kills, 195 digs, 31 blocks, 95 aces and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Dickerson has a 4.0 GPA and has been a member of the honor society for four years.

WHAT COACH WHITNEY WELCH SAID: Kailey has an amazing work ethic. She’s always in the gym working on her craft and doing whatever she can to grow her game to become a better player for our team. She loves to compete and is an exciting player to watch in the high school arena.

16. KENDYL MITCHELL, HOOVER

5-11 Outside hitter

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 361 kills (team best 2.5 per set) with a .328 hitting percentage, 54 blocks, 10 aces, 118 digs last season. Mitchell competed at the indoor state track and field last year Both parents played soccer for South Alabama.

WHAT COACH AMANDA WOOD SAID: Kendyl Mitchell is a leader on and off the court. She’s involved in peer helping, advanced classes and is a dual sport athlete with shot put for indoor and outdoor track. She is a strong force on the outside with a heavy arm. She has stepped into this leadership role very naturally and I am very excited to see her run the floor this season.

15. ALEXIS BELARMINO, SPANISH FORT

5-11, Setter

COLLEGE: New Orleans

BITS AND PIECES: 1,540 assists (8.85 assist per set), 439 digs (2.52 digs per set). 46 blocks, 84 kills with a .238 hitting percentage and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Called Lexi by her teammates. Her grandfather played basketball in college and her mother played D1 volleyball at Ball State where she was All Conference her final two seasons.

WHAT COACH GRETCHEN BOYKIN SAID: Alexis absolutely loves the game of volleyball and she spends so many hours putting in the work to make sure she is on top of her game. I have watched Lexi grow so much as a player over the last two seasons and she is not done yet. Alexis has a great volleyball IQ, spends time studying her opponents and gets lots of extra settings reps in on her own time. I know Alexis will run an effective offense for our team and be a great leader as well.

14. HEATHER HOLTZ, ENTERPRISE

5-10, Setter

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 1,149 assists, 102 kills, 210 digs, 37 blocks, 78 aces and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Holtz lost her father, who was serving in the Army, at a young age. She gets determination and grit from her father and shares the same love for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and aspires to be an engineer.

WHAT COACH JEN GRAHAM SAID: Heather Holtz is an intelligent setter that can read a defense and make quick decisions and adjustments on offense. She has great hands and also poses a threat when she swings. It is such a pleasure to coach Heather because she will outwork anyone on and off the court. She enjoys being challenged, asks to be critiqued and continues to be a great captain for her teammates. We look forward to her leadership this season.

13. OLIVIA KELLY, THOMPSON

5-7, Setter

COLLEGE: West Florida

BITS AND PIECES: 837 assists, 177 digs, 46 kills, 31 blocks, team best 38 aces last season. Nicknamed Livvy K, she’s a pescatarian who reads fantasy and dystopian books. Her mother was a cheerleader for the 1992 Alexandria boys basketball team that the won the Class 4A state championship.

WHAT COACH JUDY GREEN SAID: Olivia is a very polished setter who has really good consistent location and tempo. She has become an effective floor leader for our team and because she now understands the system she can help with the accountability on the floor. She is one of the best competitors to come through Thompson volleyball.

12. MAMIE FROMDAHL, MCGILL-TOOLEN

5-11, Setter

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 856 assists (5.8 per set), 56 aces, 220 digs and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Fromdahl is one of seven children and mom, Melanie, was a state championship player for the Dirty Dozen. Sister, Lillie, was also a state champion in 2017 and 2018, when she was selected AL.com Player of the Year and state Gatorade Player of the Year.

WHAT COACH KATE WOOD SAID: Mamie’s physical presence has increased this year. She is taking the ball high, her blocking has improved and we are looking forward to a great senior season.

11. JULIET GALLA, MCGILL-TOOLEN

5-8, Libero

COLLEGE: Tulane

BITS AND PIECES: 495 (team best 3.8 digs per set), team best 54 aces last season. Galla played basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball as a freshman, and continued to play tennis throughout high school as well as club volleyball.

WHAT COACH KATE WOOD SAID: Juliet didn’t start playing volleyball until the eighth grade and she was a physical outside hitter. After her sophomore year in club as an outside, she transitioned to the Libero position and uses the same physicality in the back row as she previously did in the front row. Her game continues to improve and we expect her to have a huge senior season.

10. REECE VARDEN, SPANISH FORT

5-11, Middle

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 167 sets played, 480 kills in 992 attempts for 2.87 kills per set, .312 hitting percentage, 48.4 kill percentage, 91 blocks and 47 digs and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Teammates call her “Reece the Beast.” She enjoys collecting Squishmallows. Overcome losing a childhood friend and two grandparents all in a short period of time, working with the Berry Strong Foundation and helping with childhood cancer awareness and fundraising.

WHAT COACH GRETCHEN BOYKIN SAID: Reece is a natural athlete that is very quick and has a very fast arm swing. She is a terminator for our team and has continued to develop her game in the offseason. Reece leads our team in kills as well as blocks and we know we can count on her to get us out of a jam. I look forward to watching Reece dominate the court her senior year.

9. AUDREY VIELGUTH, VESTAVIA HILLS

5-7, Libero/Defensive specialist

COLLEGE: Southeastern Louisiana

BITS AND PIECES: 494 digs, 343 assists, 11 kills, 71 assists, 43 aces last season. She has three rescue dogs from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Vielguth is also an excellent baker.

WHAT COACH ASHLEY HARDEE SAID: Audrey’s instincts for the game are as good as anyone I have ever coached. She is a great passer and defender, no doubt. But she also fixes so many things that go wrong during rallies. Those instincts also come with being a great competitor and a strong work ethic. She raises the bar in our gym as she holds everyone to those standards.

8. ALAYNA HATTAWAY, JASPER

5-11, Outside hitter

COLLEGE: Wallace State commit

BITS AND PIECES: 582 kills, 482 digs, 71 blocks, 49 assists, 107 aces and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Her nickname is “The Big Gun,” given to her at Munciana Team Camp. Hattaway is quiet and a voracious reader.

WHAT COACH BOBBY DANIELS SAID: Alayna is a very talented all-around player for our team. She works extremely hard to be the best she can be.

7. MAYSIE DOUGLAS, BAYSIDE ACADEMY

5-9, Outside hitter

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 427 kills, 305 digs, 24 blocks, 84 aces and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. She’s also a stellar soccer player and one of the funniest players on the team, constantly keeping teammates laughing. Maysie’s mother was a standout volleyball player at Bayside.

WHAT COACH ANN SCHILLING SAID: Maysie is a very physical outside who can score all along the net.

6. TAZI HARRIS, GUNTERSVILLE

6-2, Middle

COLLEGE: Uncommitted

BITS AND PIECES: 548 kills, with a .346 hitting percentage, 87 blocks, 96 digs, 37 aces last season. She played on Guntersville’s first girls basketball state championship team in 2022.

WHAT COACH BRITTANY CASE SAID: She is one of the hardest working athletes on the court and is a great leader to her teammates. Over the years I have watched her learn to read the floor, be able to tell her teammates where the weaknesses are in the opposing defense and learn to hit the ball on the 10-foot line. Tazi doesn’t like to show a ton of emotion on the floor when she gets a kill, but when she accomplishes something big that she has been working towards, her excitement fills the gym.

5. EMMA MOORE, MCGILL-TOOLEN

6-3, Middle

COLLEGE: Auburn commit

BITS AND PIECES: 295 kills, 102 blocks, 64 digs, 24 aces and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. She’s the oldest from a family of five siblings and was homeschooled during elementary years. When she started playing volleyball in middle school, teammates would have to physically move her out of the way because she was so confused much of the time.

WHAT COACH KATE WOOD SAID: One of the best true middle blockers I have seen in Alabama in the last 10 years. Her hand and eye work across the net make her unique for high school volleyball, and she is able to take large parts of the court away from attackers, whether she blocks the ball for a point or disrupts the attackers.

4. MEG JARRETT, BOB JONES

5-8, Libero/Defensive Specialist

COLLEGE: UAB commit

BITS AND PIECES: 67 aces, 644 digs, 118 assists, 1,151 receptions with only 32 errors and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Broke her elbow during a tournament as a sophomore and had to sit out six weeks, making it back just before playoffs started. She had to work hard to regain her straight platform.

WHAT COACH JENNY JARRETT SAID: Meg knew early in her career that she wanted to excel at her position and play at the next level. She works as hard or harder than any player I have ever coached. She is in the gym hours beyond regular practice time both in season and out of season. She is definitely a leader by her actions, but even more by her tremendous energy on the court. She is our spark plug.

3. CHELSEA DAFFIN, MCGILL-TOOLEN

5-10, Sr., Outside hitter

COLLEGE: Uncommitted with offers

BITS AND PIECES: 307 kills, 87 blocks, 87 digs last season. Her hairstyle, two signature poofs, make her memorable opponent. Both older sisters played volleyball at McGill-Toolen with Jaylen also playing at West Georgia while Hannah competes in track and field at Samford, helping the Bulldogs to numerous conference championships.

WHAT COACH KATE WOOD SAID: One of the best all-around volleyball players we have had. Chelsea is able to play at both the outside and the right side pin and be terminal, and her serve, reception and defensive skills have improved dramatically over the last year.

2. BLAKELEY ROBBINS, BAYSIDE ACADEMY

6-0, Setter

COLLEGE: Montevallo

BITS AND PIECES: 1,476 assists, 150 kills, 105 aces 56 blocks, 411 digs and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Teammates adore her and she’s is also a standout basketball player and bakes incredible cakes.

WHAT COACH ANN SCHILLING SAID: Blakeley makes all of her hitters better. She’s very smart with great footwork.

1. HANNAH PARANT, MOUNTAIN BROOK

6-1, Setter

COLLEGE: Alabama commit

BITS AND PIECES: 1,168 assists, 255 kills, 73 blocks, 324 digs, 76 aces and selected AL.com Super All-State last season. Twin sister, Paige, also plays varsity volleyball. Hannah volunteers to coach beginner players outside of practice and school.

WHAT COACH MATTIE GARDNER SAID: Hannah is a true lover of this sport. She has a passion for volleyball that is unmatched. It is because of her passion and work ethic that have contributed to our team’s success and to opening doors for her to play at the next level. I’m so proud of the well-earned accomplishments that Hannah has achieved and will continue to achieve in her senior year and beyond.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Scarlett Albert, Brooks

Gabby Allred, Lamar County

Jacey Atkinson, Brewer

Dacey Baker, Addison

Mally Baranaco, Montgomery Catholic

Ava Bowie, St. Michael

Laura Boykin, McGill-Toolen

Molly Burchell, Lauderdale County

Ava Card, St. James

Estella Connell, Donoho

Meredith Davis, John Carroll

Amelia Edgeworth, Orange Beach

Blake Ferguson, St. Paul’s

Ally Folsom, Faith Christian

Alivia Freeman, Enterprise

Noel Freeman, UMS-Wright

Elise Fulgham, Northridge

Kaitlin Gilchrist, John Carroll

Ashley Holshouser, Hartselle

Ella Houston, Providence Christian

Sami Kate Hudson, Arab

Ensley Keel, Orange Beach

Laney Kelley, Arab

Allie Lovrich, Pike Road

Ivey Maddox, Good Hope

Jovi Marbe, Southside-Gadsden

Lauren Marron, Vestavia Hills

Madison Marshall, Gulf Shores

Mira McCool, Homewood

Lucy Means, Buckhorn

Rachel Mecklenburg, Bob Jones

Abby Nelson, Fairhope

Marissa Pope, Arab

Emily Reeves, DAR

Kenzie Richards, Hoover

Taylor Robinson, Pike Road

Caroline Rogan, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa

Ally Grace Salors, Jasper

Maddie Schwabe, Pleasant Valley

Liberty Shaddix, West Point

Paislee Shelton, Westminster Christian

Ava Siegel, Deshler

Rylin St.Clair, Sand Rock

Taylor Stewart, Hazel Green, Libero

Brooklyn Stiles, Hartselle

Ashleigh Sutterfield, Lindsay Lane

Kaydee Vaughn, Muscle Shoals

Cammie Waite, St. Luke’s

Kathryn Webb, Southside-Gadsden

Devan White, Alexandria

Katie Wilkerson Beauregard

Kate Wilkin, Northridge

Callie Beth Wright, Central-Florence