Central Zone Preview: 16 Open, Part 3
In this article:
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. Boiler Juniors 161E Gold, Court 58 on Saturday at 0900 With…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIn 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.
Boiler Juniors 161E Gold, Court 58 on Saturday at 0900
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. Taylor Cripe Taylor Cripe 5'10" | OH South Newton | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-10 OH, South Newton) should lead the way offensively with that heavy arm of hers. Her compact and explosive frame should give blocks fits starting on Saturday. Avery Carroll Avery Carroll 5'9" | OH Carmel | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-9 RS/OH, Carmel) is a nice addition to this roster, as she can attack from either pin with ease. Sofia Windmiller Sofia Windmiller 5'9" | S Danville | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-9 OH/S, Danville) 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 Aysa Thomas Aysa Thomas 5'10" | S Brownsburg | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-10 S, Brownsburg). 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.
Team Pineapple 16 Black, Court 63 on Saturday at 0900
A slightly different 16 Open team from the Fort Wayne area, Team 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. Addy Tindall Addy Tindall 6'3" | OH Homestead | 2025 State #20 Nation IN (’25, 6-1 OH, Homestead) has all-state accolades already, and should be another in a long line of long and lean primary passing outsides from TP. Cienna Lapsley Cienna Lapsley 6'1" | MB Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran | 2025 State IN (’25, 6-1 MB/OH, Concordia Lutheran) 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. Ava LaCross Ava LaCross 5'9" | RS Blackhawk Christian | 2025 State IN (’25, 6-1 MB, Carroll) 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. Ava Tindall Ava Tindall 6'0" | MB Homestead | 2025 State IN (’25, 6-0 MB, Homestead) can play either middle position, but might be best suited next to a right side with as much size as she.