GJNC Preview: Rev 17-1 Raptors

<p>Part two of our fourteen-part series continues in the 17s division, specifically the region winners around the country. The National division of GJNCs is filled with a ton of open-level talent from around the country, and Rev has no shortage of such talent. As the champs in the Hoosier region, the Raptors won the two-day event that had 13 teams. Here is the lone commit, followed by the uncommitted.</p> <p><strong>RECENT COMMIT</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99586" first="Gabby" last="Gilbert"], 5-10 Pin, Pike, committed to Norfolk State</strong></p> <p><strong>THE UNCOMMITTED</strong></p> <p>The remainder of the roster, with its various talents, is most definitely poised to make noise at GJNCs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85915" first="Abby" last="Herman"] (’23, 5-8 DS/L, Mount Vernon)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108100" first="Kendall" last="Hickey"] (’23, 5-3 DS/L, Heritage Christian)</strong> are first contact geniuses that keep this team competitive at the highest level. I do not recall this roster ever entering any division other than Open in any qualifier they appeared in, and these two were the reason. Setters <strong>Margo Hernandez (’23, 5-11 S, Fishers) </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99585" first="Monica" last="Jones"] (’23, 5-8 S, Roncalli)</strong> can each individually run a 5-1 on their own, but Margo is the clear leader of this crew. Her background (sister played at Georgia, brother currently plays at Ball State) and innate volleyball abilities convince me she’ll be the next commit on this roster. Middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99590" first="JaNyah" last="Henderson"] (’23, 5-11 MB, Fishers) </strong>and <strong>Elizabeth Phillips (’23, 6-1 MB, Brebeuf)</strong> have their own specific skills. Miss Henderson is up quick with a whip of an arm and jumps well. Miss Phillips is a proven winner (state title last fall) and uses her size to defend consistently at a high level and go over blocks with her length. Finally, the pin attackers still available have multiple talents that will contribute to a college somewhere in the fall of ’23. <strong>Claire Castor (’23, 5-11 S/RS, Guerin Catholic)</strong> is just as adept being a pin attacker as she is running an offense. For this club team she can play right side along with taking the second ball when the setter defends the first. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85917" first="Ava" last="Lohman"] (’23, 5-9 OH/DS, Hamilton Southeastern)</strong> has the athleticism to speed past blocks in a fast offense, hammers balls when given the chance, and could even develop into a six-rotation outside for a smaller school. Larger schools will like her defense and relentless pursuit. She’s also tough from behind the service line. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85904" first="Elle" last="Patterson"] (’23, 6-0 OH/RS, Tri-West)</strong> has the size to compete in larger programs at the next level, while also having the skill to pass and defend at an upper level. For smaller schools, she’ll dominate with her size, and coaches will covet her ability to play all the way around.</p>