Prez Day StL Day 3: The Best Team I Saw
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After reffing 29 matches and watching hundreds of players doing their thing, quite a few teams stood out among the rest. In the 15 Open final, it was a tale of two different teams; one had skill and speed, the…
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Continue ReadingAfter reffing 29 matches and watching hundreds of players doing their thing, quite a few teams stood out among the rest. In the 15 Open final, it was a tale of two different teams; one had skill and speed, the other some unbelievable size and strength. Here’s a rundown of the champs of the 15 Open division.
CIRCLE CITY 15 PURPLE
Avenging a loss to HP STL 15 Royal from earlier in the tournament, the ladies from the 1s team at Circle showed a ton of resiliency, despite missing a few key players. The biggest adjustment in my eyes was from Ellen Zapp Ellen Zapp 6'0" | MB Center Grove | 2025 State IN (’25, 6-0 Pin, Center Grove), who had to slide into the M2 position against open-level competition on short notice. She held her own, and even managed to alter shots from the opposing bigger and stronger middles. Her willingness to take on this new role despite her lack of experience there led me to believe that she’s not only done it before, but excelled at being a middle in a former life. Opposite her, Reese Dunkle Reese Dunkle 6'3" | MB Center Grove | 2025 State #31 Nation IN (’25, 6-2 MB, Center Grove) showed off her experience, length and confidence against bigger competition. She’s most likely going to be an M1 at the next level, but can be in either position because of her abilities in front of and behind the setter offensively. The left pins controlled most of this match, with Logan Bell Logan Bell 5'11" | OH Roncalli | 2025 State #24 Nation IN (’25, 5-10 OH, Roncalli) going all the way around and Keira Lucas Keira Lucas 5'10" | OH Northview | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-11 OH/RS, North View) displaying strength and a relentlessness on offense not normally seen at this age level. With the majority of first contacts coming from Avery Freeman Avery Freeman 5'4" | DS/L Bloomington North | 2025 State #68 Nation IN (’25, 5-3 DS/L, Bloomington North), Circle’s ability to stay in-system regularly was the main reason this squad came out on top in the finals. Finally, setter Isabelle Brown Isabelle Brown 5'9" | S Avon | 2025 State #101 Nation IN (’25, 5-10 S, Danville) knew exactly who needed the ball when and where in each situation, and is an above-average defender in this, and any, graduating class of setters.