Central Zone Preview: 16 Open, Part 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In part three of our 16 Open preview of the CZ Invite this weekend, we focus on two squads with a ton of talent north of the Indianapolis area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Boiler Juniors 161E Gold, Court 58 on Saturday at 0900</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a first-round matchup against Chicago-area Adversity set for Saturday morning, Boiler Juniors will focus on what they always focus on---solid ball control leading to a faster-than-average offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='161191' first='Taylor' last='Cripe'] ('25, 5-10 OH, South Newton)</strong> should lead the way offensively with that heavy arm of hers. Her compact and explosive frame should give blocks fits starting on Saturday. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172313' first='Avery' last='Carroll'] ('25, 5-9 RS/OH, Carmel)</strong> is a nice addition to this roster, as she can attack from either pin with ease. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172331' first='Sofia' last='Windmiller'] ('25, 5-9 OH/S, Danville)</strong> is that hybrid of a player that can step in and set when needed, but can also put balls away with smarts and efficiency. The surprise member of this squad for me is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='155212' first='Aysa' last='Thomas'] ('25, 5-10 S, Brownsburg). </strong>Already with high-level playing experience with Circle City, she can run a 5-1 with the best of them in this class. I look forward to see how she meshes with this well-established group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[program_tooltip program_id='430155' first='Team' last='Pineapple'] 16 Black, Court 63 on Saturday at 0900</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A slightly different 16 Open team from the Fort Wayne area, [program_tooltip program_id='430155' first='Team' last='Pineapple']'s top 16s program has a ton of size and strength that should frustrate teams in this division. A first-round draw against Cleveland Volleyball Company should show off early what TP is all about.The big hitters all seem to be the same "type" of player, too. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192114' first='Addy' last='Tindall'] ('25, 6-1 OH, Homestead)</strong> has all-state accolades already, and should be another in a long line of long and lean primary passing outsides from TP. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='282018' first='Cienna' last='Lapsley'] ('25, 6-1 MB/OH, Concordia Lutheran)</strong> is a big that can move from pin to pin on defense as a middle, with the physicality to dominate from either pin at the next level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303463' first='Ava' last='LaCross'] ('25, 6-1 MB, Carroll)</strong> is the truest middle of the bunch, and will be a solid M2 once colleges start calling. Her length caught me off guard---she plays much taller than that 6-1 frame of hers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192113' first='Ava' last='Tindall'] ('25, 6-0 MB, Homestead)</strong> can play either middle position, but might be best suited next to a right side with as much size as she. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->