Hitting is the most exciting part of volleyball for most players and spectators. But without a good set, the hard-hit spikes that make the game so exhilarating wouldn’t be possible.

The setter is the only player that touches the ball in almost every volley and must pass a defensive player’s dig to a precise location and height in order for a hitter to spike it.

Junior Lauren Greenwood compares the setter to the quarterback of a football team or the point guard in basketball.

“You get to touch every ball and you have the ability to control the game,” Greenwood said. “You are the quarterback and you do it for the team.”

It is Greenwood’s first season setting at NU after playing defensive specialist her first two seasons. Greenwood set on her high school and club teams and is comfortable returning to her former role.

“It’s a thrill being in that position, knowing that every move you make could make or break the team,” Greenwood said.

Besides having the ability to set, Greenwood points out a setter must be a strong leader and set an example for the rest of the team.

Sophomore Stephanie Jurivich also is setting for the first time at Northwestern and in her career. Although Jurivich didn’t choose to be a setter – the coaches pulled her from the outside hitter position – she has found the position both rewarding and challenging. Because she was a hitter before she was a setter, Jurivich has a unique perspective about her new role.

“You’re responsible for running the offense,” Jurivich said. “If you don’t get a good ball, it makes you realize how hard the setter’s job is. The setter works really hard and hustles for a lot of balls.”

Jurivich agrees with Greenwood that a setter must be a leader, but she noted being especially vocal isn’t a must.

“You don’t need to be a loud leader,” Jurivich said. “But you do run the team and the offense and you’re responsible for making all the calls, so in a sense you are a leader on the team.”

Greenwood has accumulated 441 assists in 60 games. Despite an injury last spring, Jurivich has recorded 292 assists in 56 games.

Coach Keylor Chan stressed the uniqueness of the setter’s position.

“It takes a lot of special training to become a setter, especially at our level. Everyone should generally be able to set a volleyball, (but a setter has to) run an offense.”

Correcting an off-dig allows a hitter to spike the ball rather than simply pass it back over the net.

“The setter bridges everything together,” Chan said. “If you have a very good setter, they can take an out-of-system ball and make it in-system for a hitter. Great setters are able to take a bad situation and make it really good.”

Reach Annie Martin at [email protected].