Windy City Qualifier Preview: 17s Teams From Indiana
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This week previews the teams chasing a bid to GJNCs in Chicago this weekend. Here are three rosters we haven’t spent enough time on, the divisions they will play in, and three players from each roster that should make a…
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Continue ReadingThis week previews the teams chasing a bid to GJNCs in Chicago this weekend. Here are three rosters we haven’t spent enough time on, the divisions they will play in, and three players from each roster that should make a difference.
KeAloha 171 Nazare’, 17 USA
As the top 17s team for this northern Indiana club, three kids immediately come to mind. Ava Holtz Ava Holtz 5'9" | OH Laporte | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-9 OH/RS/DS, LaPorte) is a do-everything pin attacker that is hard to defend because of her special set of skills. She can put balls away from either pin, receive serve and defend at a high level. Fellow Slicer on this squad is Madison Dhoore Madison Dhoore 5'11" | RS LaPorte | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-11 MB/RS, LaPorte), who is adept at attacking both in front of and behind the setter. Her size might move her to the right side, but why limit her abilities? She can do both with ease. Gwendolyn Clifford Gwendolyn Clifford 6'0" | MB Valparaiso | 2024 State IN (’24, 6-0 MB, Valparaiso) is another big that should turn heads this weekend. More of an M2 than Miss Dhoore listed above, her size gives attackers fits and defenders will struggle to keep up with her speed and strength.
Circle City 17 White, 17 American
The equivalent of the 3s team in this age division, they play at a much more advanced level than at first glance. I’m especially keen on Alani Duncan Alani Duncan 5'10" | MB Perry Meridian | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-10 MB, Perry Meridian), who is inching herself towards jumping at 10 feet. The highest and most athletic on this squad, Alani can go over most blocks and has the speed to beat slower blocks. Audrey Warrick Audrey Warrick 6'0" | S Linton-Stockton | 2024 State IN (’24, 6-0 S/MB/RS, Linton-Stockton) is from a smaller school that has had to do everything at the high school level, but can actually do all of those things at the club level as well. She’ll probably become an attacker at the next level, but knowing that she can run an offense as well makes her much more marketable. Veronica Whitaker Veronica Whitaker 6'0" | MB Franklin Community | 2024 State IN (’24, 6-0 MB, Franklin Community) is a long and lean M2 who can take up more space on the block than her lithe frame dictates. She attacks at a relatively high level as well, making her abilities easy to see.
Rev 17-2 Panthers, 17 American
Another central Indiana registrant to the American division comes from Rev, already making waves in a crowded club scene east of Indianapolis. Sheridan Young Sheridan Young 5'7" | DS/L Center Grove | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-7 DS/L, Center Grove) wears the special jersey for this roster, and is easily the best passer of the squad. Charish Minor Charish Minor 5'10" | OH Lawrence Central | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-10 OH/MB, Lawrence Central) might be better suited as a pin attacker at the next level, but uses her physicality and athleticism to do a bit of everything offensively for the Panthers. Sophia Lenceski Sophia Lenceski 5'9" | OH Cathedral | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-9 OH/RS, Cathedral) can definitely play either pin at a smaller school in the fall of ’24, and her shot selection has her scoring more points than you might expect from an undersized pin.