Short setter running a 5-1. Block with only two?

Question
Hey Coach -

I coach a successful high school program and have taken 2nd or 3rd the last 5 years in a row at the state champships.  I have had to run a 6-2 because my setters are 5-2 and 5-3, but one graduated this year and I just don't have a viable 2nd setter coming up (we live in a small town.)  I have one great RS, and my setter is talented and I'm going to go with a 5-1 - which I always wanted to do but felt limited because of size.  I'm going for it and I know you have had success with a short setter not blocking, just coming off to dig.  Can you tell me what you did?  How do you tell the middle to set the block?  How do you set up the defense when the short setter is front row?

Thanks Coach!  Looking for a title in 2010!

Answer
Good evening Pauline:

I'm very sorry that I'm so late in answering.  My club tryouts were Sunday, and with websites, $, sizes, cell #'s, etc. it's a mad house.  

Yes, I was successful with a 5'0" setter running a 5-1.  She was not only a great setter (conf. player of the year as a SOPH!), but had a brutal floater and was a pretty good digger.  

When she was in the front row, she'd come off the net like she was the back row right player.  To defend the opponent's outside set, we would dig with 2 line diggers and 3 cross diggers.  To defend the middle and right, the defense was more typical.  

When we had 2 blockers, they would set up cheating to their right.  We were ready to block their middles and rights with 2, but blocked their leftside hitter with one.  Yep, some hitters abused us!  

Your girls will, thus, have to become proficient in two different defenses:  dig with 4 and dig with 5.  As the season goes along, you must make sure they are successfully executing each, watching for problems that can be solved, etc.  

I was helped out by some amazing diggers and hustlers.  They didn't care who was hitting, they would sacrifice whatever it took to keep the ball in play. Your girls will have to have the same mentality.  But, hopefully, you won't have to convince them with words.  When your 2nd teammers pound on them at practice, and when your opponents' OH's rip around that single block, your team will either have to dig the best of their careers, or you will not be as successful as you want.  

Again, I'm sorry that I'm late getting back to you.  There are other questions I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow to answer.

Hey, have you investigated having a STAR camp at your school?  Only a few days left for the nine 2009 camp hosts to renew their week!  On Dec 1st, it's first come, first served for any weeks that are not renewed.

Have a great Thanksgiving!
Tom