GJNC Preview: Circle City 16 Purple

<p>Finally through the 17s teams that have qualified for GJNCs in Indy next month, we move on to the 16s teams from the Hoosier State that have earned their spots into a season-ending tournament. Among other various victories, the most convincing win for Circle’s 16-1 was winning the Show Me Qualifier. These ten young ladies have earned the right to represent Indiana in the open division in June, and here are their strengths.</p> <p><strong>THE BIGS</strong></p> <p>Between <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110492" first="Scarlett" last="Kimbrell"] (’24, 6-0 MB, Franklin Community) </strong>and <strong>Dakota Elliott (’24, 5-10 MB, Perry Meridian), </strong>you have two multisport studs that can do anything they want athletically. Scarlett had a great run to the state runner-up trophy in 4A for basketball, while Dakota is a jumping bean on the track team, with her attack touch nearing ten feet. Scarlett’s length on defense and Dakota’s explosiveness on offense makes this pair the toughest middle combo in the age group in Indiana.</p> <p><strong>THE PINS</strong></p> <p>Although two of these girls could qualify as a "big" in the previous paragraph, they’re more suited to be pins at the next level. Take <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110503" first="Ava" last="Utterback"] (’24, 6-0 OH, Plainfield)</strong> for example. Already at ten feet on the attack touch, she’s the primary-passing hammer that should be getting a ton of looks by now, considering her club success this spring. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110489" first="Alexis" last="Maesch"] (’24, 5-11 S/RS, Avon)</strong> is a Swiss Army knife of a player, having the ability to either run an offense or crush balls within that offense. She’s also nearing ten feet on her jump. <strong>Anna Supe (’24, 5-10 OH, Park Tudor)</strong> can be called the midget of the bunch, but her volleyball acuity is off the charts and can easily be a six-rotation outside at the next level. And then there’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110495" first="Sophia" last="Mayo"] (’24, 6-2 OH, Perry Meridian), </strong>the biggest hammer of them all. She could play either pin with ease, and her size alone should be garnering some attention at the Indiana Convention Center next month.</p> <p><strong>THE LITTLES</strong></p> <p>All three of these kids can wear the libero jersey at any time, if they haven’t already for their respective high school teams. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="155571" first="Rachel" last="Vorst"] (’24, 5-6 DS/L, Lafayette Central Catholic) </strong>is probably the most decorated of the three, with an AAU title in ’20 and a high school state title in ’21. Another kid with the volleyball IQ off the charts, Rachel looks to repeat in the state title mix in the fall. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118347" first="Chloe" last="Gilley"] (’24, 5-5 DS/L, Columbus East) </strong>is no slouch, either. Seemingly always on her feet, her anticipation and foot speed are second to none. Finally, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110521" first="Alleigh" last="Dutton"] (’24, 5-5 DS/L, McCutcheon)</strong> also has a state title under her belt, as her squad won the whole thing for the first time this past fall. Of the three, Miss Dutton has already owned pressure situations and can play any of the three back row positions at the next level.</p> <p><strong>THE FLOOR GENERAL</strong></p> <p>What more can I say about <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110513" first="Emery" last="Moore"] (’24, 5-10 S, North Central)? </strong>Leading both vocally and by example, Emery is the full-go, zero-quit setter that needs to run the show for any team that needs such a setter. Smooth, fast and deceptive hands accompany off-the-chart athleticism to make her the perfect setter for this hyper-athletic squad.</p>