Carbondale Reporter

Often overlooked in the dynamics of a volleyball match are the setters, crucial players who bridge defense and offense. Southern Illinois University (SIU) head coach Ed Allen emphasized their importance: "They're probably the most important player on the team…without a good setter, it doesn't matter what your hitters are or…how well you can pass a ball."

SIU's Salukis rely on senior Anna Jaworski and sophomore Ema Stermenska in this pivotal role. Jaworski has amassed 3,440 assists in less than four seasons, placing her third on SIU's all-time assists leaderboard. Despite her individual achievements, Jaworski credits her teammates: "I think it just goes to show how well my hitters and I have connected in the past years...I'm just more focused on the bigger picture with my team right now."

Allen shifted from a 5-1 to a 6-2 system after Jaworski's sophomore year to create more offensive options. This change reduced Jaworski's individual opportunities but improved team versatility. Allen noted, "Before I went to a 6-2, she was leading the nation...if I'd run a 5-1 all four of her years, she'd break the record here for assists."

Setters like Jaworski and Stermenska focus on positioning, creating advantageous matchups, and being deceptive against blockers. Stermenska explained the importance of communication: "There has to be a lot of talking in the front and in the back row...the libero who should be talking about what we're digging, what we're blocking."

Effective defense that transitions into offense fosters team cohesion. Allen highlighted his setters' continuous improvement: "When we're in system and tempo, we try to shoot it a little bit faster to them [hitters], and that really just helps them get better looks against the other team's block," said Jaworski.

Stermenska appreciates the vocal nature of U.S. volleyball compared to Slovakia: "U.S. volleyball is much, much louder...I really enjoyed that because I'm a loud person." This trait has influenced Jaworski: "I think Ema's feisty and she's fiery...I've definitely taken that from her and worked on building that energy in my own game."

Conversely, Stermenska aims to emulate Jaworski's calmness: "I definitely took the more calm side of Anna...I'm getting better at just setting my mind better, calming down a little bit in critical situations."

With either Jaworski or Stermenska on the floor, SIU's Salukis are well-positioned for success due to their understanding of the game and commitment to improvement.