Who Were the Standout 2025 Pins at Central Zone?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 16s age group is off to a red hot start here in 2023 and they were just getting hotter here at Central Zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 16 Open Division was the place to be in the Indianapolis Convention Center. A lot of talent was on display, especially on the pins. So many high flying pin attackers were in this division. In system, out of system, back row, it doesn't matter. These players were putting it down!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of the top pin attackers at the 2023 Central Zone Invitational. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Mariah Gaines - Ohio Premier</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This player caught my eye early on in the tournament. She's the definition of high flying with an impressive vertical. Smooth in her movements and then explodes onto the ball. Gaines plays a complete six rotation game to back her offense!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Kaylie McIntosh - Ohio Premier</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no break when Gaines steps away from the net, because in comes Kaylie McIntosh. Another heavy arm for Ohio Premier, McIntosh knows how to put it down! Her power on the ball was tough to defend throughout the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":306139,"width":218,"height":144,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC09345.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-306139" width="218" height="144" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Abby Vander Wal</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Abby Vander Wal - 1st Alliance</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably - well, who would disagree with this take? - the MVP of the 16 Open at Central Zone was Abby Vander Wal. Standing head and shoulders above her other counterparts on the pins, at 6'4, Vander Wal uses all of that size to crush the game. She's a monster in all facets of the game and can take over the match with ease! For example, after losing the first set in the championship, no one could touch Vander Wal in the 16 Open victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Logan Bell - Circle City</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A player who will go toe-to-toe with just about anybody, Logan Bell has it all. A great sense of the back court game in her reception and defense, she can also crush the ball anywhere around the court. Bell was instrumental in Circle City's impressive weekend, placing runner up to a talented 1st Alliance squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] - Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watch out below, in comes [player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani']! Statements were made this weekend to say the least. The leader of this Michigan Elite squad was in full force this weekend. Attacking on all cylinders, she was virtually unstoppable, especially on Day 1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":298699,"width":135,"height":203,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC00344.jpg?w=1024" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow']" class="wp-image-298699" width="135" height="203" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] - Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally getting her time to shine on the pins in club, [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] wasted no time in making her presence known either. A steadfast receiver all weekend long and a silent but deadly attacker, Costlow had a big weekend! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Gabrielle Babinski - Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the group efforts on the pins for Michigan Elite, Gabrielle Babinski was another standout. A highly efficient attacker, Babinski was also rock solid defensively. Her net presence was big alongside MB [player_tooltip player_id='156309' first='Lauren' last='Johnson'], as was her serve receive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Madison Quest - MKE Sting</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MKE Sting was another top four team in large part to the power of their pins. Madison Quest had a superb weekend. With a heavy arm and big presence in the back court, she was consistently making big plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Emma Koceja - MKE Sting</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right alongside Quest, Emma Koceja was another powerhouse on the pins. She brought a lot of continual pressure on teams from the left side and came in with a range of shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":306568,"width":212,"height":141,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC09387.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-306568" width="212" height="141" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Addison Tindall</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Addison Tindall - Team Pineapple</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just looking at this hitter's size alone, you knew you were in for one. Add in the pace Addison Tindall can put on the ball and we're off to the races! Tindall is the go-to on this Pineapple squad for obvious reasons and she fits the mold perfectly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Riley McCloskey - NKYVC</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the highlights on this team and their journey to a top ten finish was on the left side with Riley McCloskey. Another heavy arm to brute through the toughest of defenses, she's relied upon for much more than her offense as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] - Legacy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fitting into her new role quite well, [player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] had a great weekend in Indianapolis. Her six rotation game is developing quite nicely. With much improved passing and a really strong offensive game, Laurio was a go-to player in this weekend's top ten finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Anna Powell - KIVA</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We all love a player that comes up big in crunch time and that's Anna Powell. In the UNION match on day 2, with a quarterfinal match on the line in the third set, Powell delivered. Making some key plays late in the match, Powell lifted KIVA into a fifth place finish on the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->