Club Preview: Team Indiana 17-1 and Circle City 17 Black

<p>We are inching closer to the largest pre-qualifier tournament in Indianapolis, the Central Zone tournament, taking place in the Indiana Convention Center this weekend. This two day event has over 130 courts and teams from around the midwest competing in multiple divisions. For now, let’s continue to highlight the teams that should be making noise in this epic event.</p> <p><strong>TEAM INDIANA 17-1</strong></p> <p>There are a variety of talents on the top squad for the class of ’23 at TI. <strong>Avery Maple (’23, 6-0 MB, Zionsville)</strong> has size and length and the ability to attack at the ten foot level at any time. She takes up space on the block and can terminate at will with the right setter. Currently projecting to be an M2 at the next level, I will reserve judgment on her until she develops that one-footed attack more. A pair of interchangeable pin attackers also dot this squad in <strong>Logan Branstetter (’23, 5-10 Pin, Columbus North)</strong> and <strong>Rylie Ebert (’23, 5-10 Pin, Center Grove). </strong>I list both as "pins" because of their abilities to hit on either pin in any situation at any time. Logan is fully-capable to be a six-rotation player, and her discipline and work ethic will carry her far. Rylie, steadily moving from TI’s 16-2 a season ago to being a hybrid attacker on the top 17s team this year, has a big and strong presence at the net and has the potential to play all the way around as well. She’s very two-footed, so if you’re considering her as a middle option, keep in mind that she’s best as an M2. Otherwise, she blocks and attacks at a high level and has improved a bunch since last club season. Finally, <strong>Caitlyn Cooke (’23, 5-9 OH/DS, Heritage Christian)</strong> is a "Jackie of all trades" type of player, and has a solid character to go with her impressive skills on the court and off. Currently, she projects to be a primary passing, control outside with the potential to be as deadly at the net as she is from behind the service line. Larger schools will like her defensive skills, and smaller schools can bask in her willingness to play any position at any time.</p> <p><strong>CIRCLE CITY 17 BLACK</strong></p> <p>Already making waves this club season, the 17-2 at Circle has a ton of kids that would probably playing on a 1s squad elsewhere, if they weren’t at Circle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85941" first="Ella" last="Scott"] (’23, 6-1 MB, Plainfield)</strong> immediately stands out as the highest jumper, and can take over a match at will. Her size and strength will carry her through tough times, and her ability to hit any shot in front of the setter with pace sets her apart from other middles in this class. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85938" first="Taryn" last="Kennedy"] (’23, 5-11 MB, Center Grove)</strong> can play multiple spots in the front row, but is a middle for this squad. Her size, strength and willingness to hit high and hard every time makes her marketable as both a right side and a middle for smaller schools at the next level. Outsides <strong>Joslynn Rohlman (’23, 5-10 OH, Perry Meridian)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85931" first="Carly" last="Christy"] (’23, 5-8 OH, Carmel)</strong><strong> </strong>have their own skills that make the team around them better. Joslynn may look slight, but her speed and athleticism have steadily carried her up the depth chart at Circle, as she was on the 16 White (16-3) squad last season. Carly is a primary passing, six-rotation outside that can hit any shot an outside needs to hit. She’s especially good at taking something out-of-system and scoring points regularly. Her quick feet and naturally fast arm are a nice combination to have for a kid her size.</p>