Central Zone Preview: 16 Open, Part 1

Kyp Harasymowycz January 25, 2023 @ 07:06 AM

Moving one age group older, we touch on the majority of the class of '25 from Indiana participating in this two-day event. Both have plenty of talent to go around, so keep an eye out for these kids.   <h2>Team Indiana Elite 16.1, Court 55 on Saturday at 0800</h2>   With their work cut out for them, TI's top 16s team will have to have their focus on ball control to have a chance against 1st Alliance first this Saturday morning. [player_tooltip player_id='172345' first='Skylar' last='Kritzmire'] ('25, 5-10 OH, Roncalli) should be the primary attacker and, with a few favorable bounces, be the x-factor in this match. [player_tooltip player_id='302199' first='Josie' last='Lezon'] ('26, 5-7 DS/RS, Roncalli) is a smart attacker from the right, can play all the way around and might project to being a three-rotation defender at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id='302200' first='Elle' last='Kremer'] ('25, 5-10 MB, North Central) has the upper body strength to defend at this level and should show off an impressive arm on offense. I'm most looking forward to what [player_tooltip player_id='152929' first='Lillyanna' last='Joseph'] ('25, 5-3 DS/L, Franklin Central) can do defensively. Her foot speed is exceptional, she can anticipate better than most in this class, and this should be her first real taste of open-level play that counts.   <h2>Union 16-1 UA, Court 55 on Saturday at 0900</h2>   If you stick around for the second match on the same court, you'll see another ball-control-based program in Union's top 16s team. [player_tooltip player_id='192098' first='Haiden' last='Means'] ('25, 5-9 S, Scottsburg) should run an efficient 5-1 offense for this squad, considering all of the attackers she gets to feed. I'm impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='192099' first='Abby' last='Julius']' ('25, 5-10 MB, Providence) ability to play bigger than her size, and her volleyball IQ helps too. The other middle position should be filled by [player_tooltip player_id='192093' first='Addyson' last='Schneider'] ('25, 5-10 MB, Floyd Central), yet another in a long line of smart, efficient middles for Union. The player I'm most looking forward to seeing is freshman [player_tooltip player_id='302203' first='Brooklyn' last='Renn'] ('26, 6-3 OH, Silver Creek), who brings a rare size factor that Union does not normally have at this age group.

Moving one age group older, we touch on the majority of the class of '25 from Indiana participating in this two-day event. Both have plenty of talent to go around, so keep an eye out for these kids.