Club Preview: ’22s at Academy
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On average, as you increase in age in club volleyball, there are less players that play. Most have already decided to move on after their sophomore years, some just want to play high school ball, and some have other sports…
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Continue ReadingOn average, as you increase in age in club volleyball, there are less players that play. Most have already decided to move on after their sophomore years, some just want to play high school ball, and some have other sports and activities that they participate in. The Academy is clearly making a run to change that narrative. In all, there are 41 (!!!) members of the class of 2022 that play some level of club volleyball at the Academy. Here is our best attempt at getting some pub for all of them.
18 Elite Rage
The flagship team, coached by former Ball State players Corky Robertson and Eric Bulmahn, have been together for a couple of years now, with minor tweaks to improve a position or simply fill a hole. Both Emily Weber Emily Weber 6'0" | S Hamilton Southeastern | 2022 State #139 Nation IN and Cecilia Bulmahn Cecilia Bulmahn 5'8" | OH Mount Vernon (Fortville) | 2022 State IN have been with this team last year, as 17 Elite Tsunami members. Emily will be the 5-1 setter for this outstanding group, while Cecilia can play as a six-rotation outside or a three-rotation defensive specialist.
18 Elite Fury
The “2’s” team at Academy has its own successful players, albeit a bit smaller. Mary Brondyke Mary Brondyke 5'8" | OH Brownsburg | 2022 State IN , a lefty from Brownsburg, can also double as a defensive specialist if needed.
18 Frenzy
Playing more of a regional schedule, the members of the 18-3 roster have their own levels of talent, and will make a difference at a small school soon. Beth Hodgin, a defensive specialist from Morristown, will compete as a three-rotation DS with aspirations on becoming a libero in the near future.
17 Elite Tsunami
The 17-1 team is loaded with talent and size. Setters Savanna Rogers Savanna Rogers 5'7" | S Carmel | 2022 State IN and Lindsay Springer will split time running a 6-2, with a possible 5-1 option available if one or the other falters. I’m a huge fan of Kaitlin Fasbender Kaitlin Fasbender 5'10" | MB Lawrence North | 2022 State IN , a lengthy middle that can go in front of or behind the setter with ease. The other middle position will be filled by Ava McClanahan, a speedy but undersized middle coming all the way from Indian Creek. Pin attackers Halei Epperheimer Halei Epperheimer 5'8" | OH Perry Meridian | 2022 State IN , Avery Holubar and Amaya Lowry Amaya Lowry 5'9" | RS Heritage Christian | 2022 State IN bring a trio of skills in ball control, passing and all-around volleyball smarts. Chloe Hoy Chloe Hoy 5'5" | DS/L Franklin Community | 2022 State IN is one of my favorite DS’s in any class, simply because of her relentless approach to the game and her constant positivity with her teammates. The other DS in this class on this roster is Delaney Bowser Delaney Bowser 5'9" | DS/L Mount Vernon (Fortville) | 2022 State IN , who will see a lot of time in serve receive and defense, but can play some front row in a pinch.
17 Elite Riptide
Another solid roster of varying skills, my favorites from this group are a pair of DS’s from Roncalli. Cara Wlodarczyk Cara Wlodarczyk 5'5" | DS/L Roncalli | 2022 State IN and Noelle Zingraf Noelle Zingraf 5'5" | DS/L Roncalli | 2022 State IN will anchor the serve receive and defensive portions of this squad with ease, as both have been playing almost forever. Grace Myers Grace Myers 5'7" | DS/L New Palestine | 2022 State IN is a nice addition on defense as well, who is speedy on her feet, has excellent range, and looks to be a high level libero come fall of ’22. A four-pack of pin attackers will rotate between varying positions. Tatum Fitzgerald Tatum Fitzgerald 5'10" | OH Mount Vernon | 2022 State IN is probably the most experienced of this bunch, as she’s a six-rotation outside that makes the position look easy. Although starting her career as a middle, Lauren Crittenden Lauren Crittenden 5'6" | OH Perry Meridian | 2022 State IN is a high-flying outside who’s arm action is whiplike. Lydia Baker Lydia Baker 5'7" | OH Lafayette Central Catholic | 2022 State IN and Savannah Scholl both come from private schools and can be anything from six-rotation OH’s to RS’s to DS’s in the blink of an eye. Both of their extensive versatility will make them quite marketable at the next level. The middles on this roster are Lauren Stolz Lauren Stolz 5'9" | MB North Central | 2022 State IN and Liliann Hunt. Lauren’s length and athleticism has her making up for her 5-10 frame easily, while Liliann’s strength and court vision complement her size well. Finally, let’s not forget the 5-1 setter in this mix, Gabrielle Hart. Her high and quick hands, combined with her court awareness and speedy athleticism, gets her to more balls than setters taller than her.
17 Elite Avalanche
We start the 17-3 roster with the setter in charge, Georgia Trisler Georgia Trisler 5'6" | S North Central | 2022 State IN . She’s another athletic, quick-handed setter that will run the show for the Avalanche this spring. Feeding her the ball on this squad are Mackenzie Wilson Mackenzie Wilson 5'2" | DS/L North Central | 2022 State IN , Hannah Phegley and Lillian Cole. Hannah is probably the most experienced of the bunch, and will look to be the libero on this roster. Both Mackenzie and Lillian are solid defenders who will see the majority of the serve receive in their three-rotation time early on. Manning the pins for the Avalanche are Jasmine Oliver, Keeley Britton and Emma Hooten. Jasmine is best suited as a right side, but can see time on the left pin as well. Keeley has slowly come through the ranks of the Academy pipeline, and her skills also include time as a middle. Her versatility will serve her well at the next level). Emma will most likely be placed on the left pin as a three-rotation attacker, but can pass and defend as well if needed. Layla Thalley and Amaya Price bring much-needed size and length to this roster in the middle.
17 Twisters
Aside from the Fireworks Classic in Louisville, the Twisters will stay in state throughout the spring season. Catherine Guilfoy will run the show as the only setter in a 5-1. Receiving serve and defending for the Twisters include Grace Meluskey, Emily Holmer and Paris Johnson. Grace is a spitfire of an athlete that excels in the left back and will look to don the special jersey this spring. Emily comes from volleyball power Avon, and can play anywhere in the back row. Paris is currently a three-rotation DS at Franklin Community that can also fill in at any back row position. Kyla Wooden and Adelyn Wheat will plug the middle for the Twisters. Kyla brings strength and size to the position, while Adelyn comes all the way from Cascade to get training. Finally, the pin attackers will rotate between Payton Jackson, Lindsey Jones and Stevi Vandevanter. Payton was known more for her defensive prowess at Shelbyville, but she will see a ton of time in the front row this spring. Lindsey and Stevi can both be used as six-rotation outsides, while Stevi can also hit from the right in a pinch.