Bluegrass Preview: 16 Open, Part 2
In this article:
Outside of the “power pools” in each open division, there are plenty of athletes available in all graduating classes. Today’s edition of the Bluegrass preview speaks directly to the class of ’25 and which kids can propel each of their…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOutside of the “power pools” in each open division, there are plenty of athletes available in all graduating classes. Today’s edition of the Bluegrass preview speaks directly to the class of ’25 and which kids can propel each of their teams to victory this weekend.
Munciana Indy 16 Cardinals, P3, Court 46 at 0800
An offshoot of the main Munciana club, Munciana Indy has every team and age group represented with the exception of an 18s team. For this open-level team, two athletes come to mind. Lindsey Mangelson Lindsey Mangelson 6'2" | OH Hamilton Southeastern | 2025 State IN (’25, 6-2 OH, jersey #3) is a big, strong and physical pin attacker that can take over a match at will with her length and volleyball IQ. Josie Myers Josie Myers 6'2" | MB Cathedral | 2025 State IN (’25, 6-2 MB, jersey #9) is another big and strong attacker for the Cardinals that should do quite well as an M2 at the next level. Her high attack point should give fits to smaller middles.
Rev 16-1 Fury, P4, Court 45 at 0900
Speaking of smaller teams, Rev’s top 16s team has not a lot of size, but a ton of skill. Claire Sabo Claire Sabo 5'11" | MB Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-11 MB, jersey #8) has the speed and athleticism to work around over and through most bigger middles and knows nothing but winning at her high school. Kaitlyn Kuckkan Kaitlyn Kuckkan 5'7" | S Lafayette Central Catholic | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-8 S, jersey #12) should run the show for this squad. Her hands are high and accurate, she’s got a bloodline that reads “volley dork” (sister plays in the Missouri Valley Conference), and can get to a ton of out-of-system passes and make balls hittable.
Empowered 16 Elite Black, P6, Court 43 at 0900
From the Fort Wayne area, Empowered’s top 16s program has great all-around skill and uses their time on the sand to develop their game (they have a sand facility on their club’s campus). Alyssa Hall Alyssa Hall 6'0" | MB Homestead | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-11 MB, jersey #11) has that quick twitch athleticism that shows out in typical M1s, and can terminate at any angle in any tempo. Maggie Hollon Maggie Hollon 5'10" | OH Warsaw | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-10 OH, jersey #22) is a six-rotation outside that can be anything you need her to be—attack, defend, receive serve—to win matches regularly.
Boiler Juniors 161E Gold, P7, Court 42 at 0800
What. A. Roster. This squad is the who’s who of highly intelligent and highly athletic volleyball players, and it is no fluke why they’re the 1-seed in their pool to start in Louisville. I’ve been high on Taylor Cripe Taylor Cripe 5'10" | OH South Newton | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-10 OH, jersey #8) for a full two years now, and her cannon of an arm coupled with her quick transition makes her a tough kid to stop. Surprise Circle City transfer Aysa Thomas Aysa Thomas 5'10" | S Brownsburg | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-10 S, jersey #14) is an excellent floor general who leads by example and can definitely run a 5-1 at the next level. She’s also got a great volleyball bloodline in her family—sister Quinci will be attending Xavier in the fall.
Team Indiana Elite 16.1, P8, Court 41 at 0800
This roster has a ton of kids in the “sweet spot” (5-8 to 5-11) as hybrid athletes. Most are listed in multiple positions on TI’s roster and recruiting page, and with good reason. Skylar Kritzmire Skylar Kritzmire 5'10" | OH Roncalli | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-10 OH, jersey #5) is cut from the same cloth as so many other primary passing outsides from Roncalli. She’s got a high volleyball IQ, a springy athleticism to her and can do anything needed to win. Elle Kremer Elle Kremer 5'10" | MB North Central | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-10 MB, jersey #12) is a strong and broad-shouldered middle that can take up space on the block and uses her length to defend from pin to pin at an above average level.