Central Zone Preview: 16 Open, Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part two of our CZ preview covers two more open-level programs from Central Indiana. Both Circle and Academy have their work cut out for them on Saturday morning, and with a few favorable bounces, should have a great weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Circle City 16 Purple, Court 59 on Saturday at 0800</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First things first, Circle's top 16s program is one of the best in the state. That being said, MAVA might give them a run for their money if they don't get disciplined in serve receive early. Led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152943' first='Logan' last='Bell'] ('25, 5-11 OH, Roncalli), </strong>both serve receive and attacking from the left pin should be taken care of. She's been one of the best all-around players in the state for a few years now, and should continue that trend against the smaller MAVA squad. A recent transfer from Boiler Juniors, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154814' first='Raegan' last='Durbin'] ('25, OH/RS, Western Boone)</strong> can play either pin, defend any position, and is springy and electric to watch. The middles for this squad are formidable as well. Textbook M1 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173248' first='Reese' last='Dunkle'] ('25, 6-3 MB, Center Grove)</strong> terminates well both in front of and behind the setter, and her net defense is exceptional. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173243' first='Ellen' last='Zapp'] ('25, 5-11 MB, Center Grove)</strong> is an M2 for sure, and can hit multiple shots from in front of the setter. She makes up for her size by maximizing her stride going from pin to pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Academy 16E Yeti, Court 57 on Saturday at 0900</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few courts over, the top 16s team (out of 8!) from Academy drew a solid NKYVC squad as their first matchup. One thing the Yeti have in their favor is size, and a bunch of it. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192104' first='Chloe' last='Macias'] ('25, 6-0 MB, Noblesville), [player_tooltip player_id='302486' first='Olivia' last='Johnson'] ('25, 5-11 MB, Mount Vernon) </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172316' first='Ava' last='Gutt'] ('25, 5-11 MB, Hamilton Southeastern)</strong> are all listed as middles, and it's my guess that all three could also play right side at the next level as well. Each have length and strength for days, and can defend their position as well as they attack. An x-factor for this squad this weekend might be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152940' first='Abby' last='Kaminski'] ('25, 5-10 OH, Franklin Central). </strong>An all-around outside hitter, she can hit any shot from anywhere, defend any of the three back row positions, and should do well in serve receive when asked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->