Windy City 18s: Open Division Hoosiers To Watch

Kyp Harasymowycz January 12, 2023 @ 07:11 AM

Most of the time, teams from the same general area rarely play each other on the first day of any qualifier. It just so happens that the two teams listed today both played in the same Early Bird Shootout this past Sunday. Although they never played each other, I got first-hand accounts of each team, what kids are committed, and which should make an impact this weekend in Schaumburg.   <h2>Rev 18-1 Avengers, Court 2 @ 0800 on Saturday</h2>   With multiple kids already signing for their respective futures, like most 18s teams, there are still kids that are available for the fall of '23. [player_tooltip player_id='208628' first='Margo' last='Hernandez'] ('23, 5-11 S, South Alabama signee) will run this offense to efficiency. If the passing is good enough, [player_tooltip player_id='210178' first='Elizabeth' last='Phillips'] ('23, 6-1 MB, Brebeuf) should make an immediate impact Saturday morning. Her size and volleyball IQ will be tested early, but she should do well. I'm high on [player_tooltip player_id='85900' first='Faith' last='Burch'] ('23, 5-11 S/RS, Roncalli), who is a lefty banger that can run an offense in her own right. [player_tooltip player_id='85917' first='Ava' last='Lohman'] ('23, 5-9 DS/OH, Hamilton Southeastern) lists 'DS' as her primary position on her Sports Recruits account, but can easily be a six-rotation outside for a smaller school.   <h2>Union 18-1 UA, Court 2 @ 0900 on Saturday</h2>   As the 2-seed in pool two, this Union squad will have an easier match than Rev to open their qualifier. [player_tooltip player_id='85899' first='Grace' last='Purichia'] ('23, 5-7 S, Jacksonville State signee) can take over a match if you let her, and her high-level all-around game is rare from setters in Indiana. [player_tooltip player_id='85902' first='Cali' last='Cummings'] ('23, 6-1 MB, IU Kokomo signee) is a strong M2 that plays bigger than her height and can defend from pin to pin well. Two primary attackers I'm looking forward to seeing are [player_tooltip player_id='85908' first='Caroline' last='Hilbrich'] ('23, 5-10 OH/DS, Floyd Central) and [player_tooltip player_id='118341' first='Alexis' last='Caldwell'] ('23, 6-1 OH, New Albany). Caroline is an active, six-rotation outside that plays will full effort from start to finish. Alexis could play either pin, but did well this past Sunday being a three-rotation outside. She's definitely big enough and strong enough to play high-level ball, it's just a matter of finding a place to play.

Most of the time, teams from the same general area rarely play each other on the first day of any qualifier. It just so happens that the two teams listed today both played in the same Early Bird Shootout this past Sunday. Although they never played each other, I got first-hand accounts of each team, what kids are committed, and which should make an impact this weekend in Schaumburg.