Central Zone Invitational Preview: 15 Open
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Some of the tri-state area’s best young prep talent will be competing in Indy this weekend in one of the best competitive fields this tournament has ever seen. Here are some of the top 15U teams from the area taking…
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Continue ReadingSome of the tri-state area’s best young prep talent will be competing in Indy this weekend in one of the best competitive fields this tournament has ever seen. Here are some of the top 15U teams from the area taking part.
Mintonette m.51
The 2022 14 Open national champs should enter every event as a favorite and top seed this club season. This weekend is the follow-up to an opportunity to see them play at the Early Bird event a few weekends ago. As they competed against both 15U and 16U teams there with great success, this coming weekend brings together some of the best 15U teams in the tri-state area that also should fair well on the national scene. The arms of
Layla Hoying
Layla
Hoying
5'11" | OH
Bishop Watterson | 2026
State
OH
,
Sara Snowbarger
Sara
Snowbarger
6'0" | OH
Wooster | 2026
State
OH
, and
Mackenzie Palumbo
Mackenzie
Palumbo
6'1" | OH
Dublin Jerome | 2026
State
OH
will provide a lot of offense all season but don’t have to work through high volume given the presence in the middle of Isabelle Thomas. Their efficiency is a strength as is the distribution and balance of in-tempo opportunities that setter
Mallory Matheny
Mallory
Matheny
5'11" | S
Bishop Hartley | 2026
State
OH
can create. Take a look at this time and try to identify a weakness. It is tough.
Elevation
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Ella Grimes
Ella
Grimes
5'8" | DS/L
Ursuline | 2026
State
OH
and
Rachel Morgan
Rachel
Morgan
5'9" | DS/L
Milford | 2026
State
OH
are solid in the back row for this team as the duo anchors their ball control and defense.
Makenna Kirlin
Makenna
Kirlin
5'8" | S
Loveland | 2026
State
OH
is the primary setter that did a good job last season getting this offense to produce from all locations and with good tempo.
Cara Richter
Cara
Richter
6'0" | OH
MND | 2026
State
OH
is one of the best arms in this class in Ohio and can elevate and bring big power. Offensive support will be found in Sydney Sprada, a big jumper with a nice arm that also can apply a lot of pressure at the service line with a big jump serve. Middle
Grace Herzog
Grace
Herzog
6'0" | MB
Turpin | 2026
State
OH
continues to grow her skill set by improving her footwork and movement patterns that better support the big arm she can create in the air. Fellow middle
Sydney Geselbracht
Sydney
Geselbracht
6'1" | MB
Mount Notre Dame | 2026
State
OH
has some of the best length on this team and returns to again be productive on both sides of the ball. This team has good tools and can compete with anyone with their defense and offensive production they are capable throughout their roster.
NKYVC 15-1 Tsunami
This team competed well all last season and returns in tact and with some added experience given some of the high performing high school programs many of them come from. Following their Early Bird experience a few weekends ago, it will be fun to identify progress early in the season as they have big potential.
Callie Combs
Callie
Combs
5'8" | OH
Seton | 2026
State
OH
and Grace Portwood may be undersized among the elite pin hitters at 5’7 and 5’8 respectively, but they have complete skills and are athletic and potential to contribute as well as any left side hitters at any event as they both elevate well and can move the ball around. Audrey Dyas is one to keep an eye on in the middle as her skills have improved, which involve more dynamic movement and an aggressive arm, along with the ability to put up a big block. Jenna Kitchens has improved her game as well and should add depth on both sides of the ball along with
Maddie Steele
Maddie
Steele
5'11" | MB
Turpin | 2026
State
OH
. Defensively, this team creates a lot of opportunities as their pins can go six-rotations to support the work that
Emma Frietch
Emma
Frietch
5'6" | DS/L
Saint Ursula Academy | 2026
State
OH
and Maddie Cho do through the back row. Both read the court well and can create opportunities through their quickness and range. This event will be a good measure for them in the early part of the season.
Other Ohio teams to see this early season include:
- AVC CLE 15 Red
- Tri-State Elite 15 Blue
- Black Swamp 151
- ClevPRIME 15.1
- TVC 15-Black