Early Bird Shootout: 17/18 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of the top teams and athletes competing this Sunday in the Early Bird Shootout in Plainfield, IN. This is a solid early-season single-day tournament leading into the highly competitive Central Zone event later this month and is an opportunity to see some of the top prospects from the Tri-State area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Circle City 18 Purple</em><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85896' first='Quinci' last='Thomas']</strong> is a Xavier commit and a high flyer. Look for her to get a lot of opportunities at the pins. Setter and 1st Team All-State honoree <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110509' first='Macy' last='Hinshaw']</strong> is a 2024 prospect committed to Santa Clara. She led this team last year to a nice run late in the club season, which ended with 5th place in 17 Open at the GJNC. One of their strengths is in the back row as DS/L prospects <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85921' first='Molly' last='Urban']</strong> (Lousiville), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85924' first='Ella' last='Hemmings']</strong> (LSU), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85912' first='Macy' last='Bruton']</strong> (Uncommitted) should shore up well their first contact action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>NKYVC 18-1 Tsunami</em><br>This team finished 2nd at the USA GJNC in the 17 American division in 2022. North Carolina commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='106678' first='Sydney' last='Nolan']</strong> just led her high school team to a Kentucky state title and will once again be featured at the left pin with good skills to be able to score anywhere across the net. This team added <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='141723' first='Sarah' last='Newberry']</strong> in the middle as the Lewis commit will be an impact when she gets in sync with setter <strong>Maya</strong> <strong>Hunt</strong> (Marshall). Earning GJNC all-tournament and back again are libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157454' first='Kayla' last='Hostetler']</strong> and pin hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='141697' first='Ava' last='Siefke']</strong>, both committed to Eastern Michigan. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Union 18-1 UA</em><br>Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85899' first='Grace' last='Purichia'] </strong>is terrific as one of the best floor leaders in the Tri-State area. The Jacksonville State commit is athletic, dynamic, and savvy with her opportunities to distribute as well as score off her own arm. The 6'4 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='106690' first='Meredith' last='Brown']</strong> has the team's best length and can score and defend well. She is committed to North Alabama. Uncommitted prospects include 6'1 pin <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='118341' first='Alexis' last='Caldwell']</strong>, defensive specialist/setter <strong>Mia Maloney</strong>, DS/L <strong>Lauren Varga</strong>, and pin/defensive specialist <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85908' first='Caroline' last='Hilbrich']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami</em><br>This 5th place finisher at the 2022 USA GJNC in 16 Open returns their full roster and are led in the middle by the athletic Washington commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='107399' first='Julia' last='Hunt']</strong>. With potential for good balance and versatility among their pin trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='107423' first='Alivia' last='Skidmore']</strong> (Western Kentucky), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='114565' first='Sydney' last='Barrett']</strong> (Denver), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139273' first='Lilly' last='Gillespie']</strong> (Depaul), there are a lot of options for setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139272' first='Abby' last='Yoder']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='107418' first='Macy' last='Lentz']</strong>, both currently uncommitted. In the back row is the steady playmaking duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='107422' first='Elizabeth' last='Tabeling']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139275' first='Kaleigh' last='Frietch']</strong>. Also uncommitted is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='107434' first='Lilly' last='Hamburg']</strong>, a very capable middle that is worth a good look and evaluation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Circle City 17 Purple</em><br>NCAA national power Louisville landed the high flying pin hitter in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110503' first='Ava' last='Utterback']</strong> as she fits well the mold that is their dynamic and powerful pin hitter profile. The 6'2<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='110495' first='Sophia' last='Mayo']</strong> has good length and jumps well as the FIU commit complements Utterback well at the left pin. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110513' first='Emery' last='Moore']</strong> is super fun to watch as she is a competitor and has a full skill set in her distribution and on the defensive side. She is committed to Penn. Uncommitted <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110489' first='Alexis' last='Maesch']</strong> helps balance the floor for this team as the lefty opposite has the ability to score well on the right side. She was a 2nd Team All-HCC selection in 2022 representing Avon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->