NJC Recap: Top Players in 16s For Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio

Indiana and Kentucky have rivalries dating back to just about every sport, but when it comes to volleyball the borders of Indiana/Michigan, Indiana/Kentucky, and throw in Ohio and we have a whole world of rivalries, but yet some have found a friendly merger when it comes to club volleyball.  That still doesn’t prevent them from wanting to beat each other, PNK And KIVA out of Louisville had to square off to get to the Gold Bracket with PNK prevailing with a two set sweep and eventually winning some close three set matches to close out the championship. Dunes, which is between Michigan and Illinois have solid clubs through the ranks with their 16s finishing fifth behind solid ball control, consistent, and efficient play.  Here are some of the top players from Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio at JNC.

Anna DeBeer - KIVA 16 Red - Outside Hitter

Class of 2020 - Committed To Louisville

One of the best athletes and top players in the 16s level at NJC, DeBeer is a six foot outside hitter that is solid in all six rotations. When DeBeer and KIVA are in system,she will attack and swing without a single touch on the ball from the defense.  Her court sense as well as her body language are intangibles that cannot be measured on a roster sheet. Louisville is the defending ACC Champion and DeBeer will continuing the success of Assumption players heading into a Power 5 program.  Coach Dani Busboom Kelly is in the works of building something special for the Cardinals. Two top recruits out of Wisconsin, Emily Scott and Claire Chaussee will be joining this Fall.

Mikayla Greer - A2 16 Green - Outside Hitter

Class of 2020

Greer is all force and power.  From the service line to the back court to the front row she approaches with speed and power.  Greer is 5’9, maybe 5’10, but contacts extremely high with little wasted movement. She can use the high hands or go straight down the line.  No matter where she is, the other team has to be aware of her because there is no predictable path Greer will take. An outside hitter that can electrify a team and a crowd is one that is a great catch at the next level, Greer fits exactly that.

Anna Nie - A2 16 Green - Middle Blocker

Class of 2020

Nie is a blend of speed, athleticism, and power for A2.  What all middle blockers need at the college level is the ability to move and block, beyond the height.  Her relentless ability to get pin to pin in order to close the block is such a strength. Offensively, Nie has a quick arm swing, find a split in the block and a spot in the corner.  With continued training, Nie has a bright future to be a solid get at the next level.

Annalise Warnock - Dunes 16 Black - Outside Hitter

Class of 2020

Solid, consistent, efficient.  Warnock is so steady in all six rotations for Dunes which has a team that will beat you with solid ball control and consistency. With Warnock’s ability to use the block, see the open spot, and always an outlet out of system it plays into the strength of Dunes as a team.  With a 5th place finish this past weekend and a key tiebreaker win over Northern Lights 16-1 it gives them great momentum heading into the MJVBA Championships in Grand Rapids this weekend as well as AAU Nationals in Orlando next month.

Reece Shirley - Dunes 16 Black - Setter

Class of 2020

At 5’10 Shirley is a solid six rotation setter that does a little bit of everything for her team.  The balance of Dunes is another key component to their success and having a setter who can distribute to multiple weapons is essential.  Balance doesn’t mean even distribution, but taking what the defense gives you across the net and giving your hitters a chance to score. Shirley makes it happen and was so key in big wins against Kokoro and a three set victory against Ultimate out of Puerto Rico.

Jennifer Wessling - KIVA 16 Red - Libero

Class of 2021

One of the few from the Class of 2021 athletes to be playing  up with the 16s, Wessling provides great consistency for KIVA in the backrow as a libero.  Solid at serve receive and able to read the right shot as a defender, Wessling has the the tools and the fundamentals to be a Division 1 player, coaches will be taking a look come nationals in Orlando in a month.

Addison Foote - PNK 16 - Outside Hitter

Class of 2020 - Committed to VCU

Foote is the main point scorer for PNK which was the champion of the 16 Open Division, earning all tournament team as well.  The VCU commit is an athletic and physical pin hitter who can hit and block with authority. VCU out of the Atlantic 10 Conference is coming off a lot of momentum after a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Foote and PNK won both of their matches in the Gold Bracket 16-14 in the third set.  There were plenty of big points to be won (and lost), but PNK came in through the clutch. They needed a big win over KIVA just to get into the gold bracket which they swept them in two. There will be plenty of matchups in a month at Nationals in Orlando for the AAU National Championship.

Olivia Roberts - PNK - Middle Blocker

Class of 2019

Roberts is a 5’9 middle blocker, but fits the style of PNK perfectly.  A quick tempo offense and a middle who can hit the quick temp set. Roberts packs a mean punch behind her swing, hitting the open spot and the deep corner.  At the 16s level and for any level at that matter a dynamic middle who can close a block, spot her shots on offense, is just as deadly as the 6’3 athlete who may not be as quick to be in the right position.  

Elena Scott - PNK - Setter

Class of 2021

Just finishing up her Freshman year of high school, Scott is a pure gamer.  In basketball terms she is the point guard who is the floor leader, getting her hitters in the right spot, but give her an opening and she is going to going to hurt you with scoring of her own.  Scott is very physical at the net and has a knack for the right time to attack on two and which spot is open which for being so young is very rare. I mention this in most of my articles, but every great team has a setter to go with it.  Scott will continue to rise on the prospect list of top 2021 setters.