Indy Cup Preview: 17 Open Division

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another article, another Indy Cup preview. This edition focuses on the 17 Open division, which is stacked top to bottom with the most talent of any of the divisions playing this weekend. Here are three teams with three athletes each that still have yet to commit to play somewhere in their respective graduating classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Academy 17E Riptide</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The "twos" team for the 17s division at Academy has plenty of size, skill and athleticism. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='394433' first='Ava' last='Mardis'] ('24, 6-2 MB, Center Grove)</strong> is a big, strong and broad-shouldered middle that can terminate in front of and behind the setter. Her strength is on defense, as she's tough to hit around, let alone through. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='394432' first='Addison' last='Larsen'] ('24, 5-11 OH/RS, Carmel)</strong> is another big and strong attacker, but this time from the pin. She can hit from either side, and might be better suited to the left, since she hits such a heavy ball and can be a hammer out there. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='394431' first='Avery' last='Rhamy'] ('24, 5-8 S, Noblesville) </strong>is super athletic and can run any offense on her own. Playing in the toughest volleyball conference and sectional in the state during the fall, she's well-prepared for her future playing high-level ball most of her career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 17 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar in size and skill to Academy's 17-2 listed above, Circle's 17-2 has plenty of both. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='118354' first='Madeline' last='Lynch'] ('24, 6-1 S/RS, Plainfield) </strong>can run an offense just as easily as terminating from the right pin. A lefty by trade, I could see her doing both at a school needing both but also needing to save scholarship money (a two-in-one, if you will). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='155214' first='Reanna' last='Lee'] ('25, 6-0 MB, McCutcheon)</strong> knows a little something about competing at a high level, and already owns a state title trophy from the fall of '21. She hits high and hard, has a heavy arm and can defend from pin to pin well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='171378' first='Raegan' last='Stader'] ('24, 5-9 OH, Monrovia)</strong> is a middle during the fall, but is best suited as an outside at the next level. Her athleticism is off the charts, as her whip-action of an arm hammers heavily balls regularly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team Indiana Elite 17.1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of size and skill, TI's top 17s team has both in droves. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206583' first='Brooklyn' last='Bell'] ('24, 6-1 MB, Greenwood)</strong> has length and strength from the middle, and could throw in a little right side attacking and defending for good measure. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='171392' first='Sadie' last='Meenan'] ('24, 5-11 MB, Zionsville)</strong> is a sneaky-good middle that does best in front of the setter. Her defensive-minded play always allows her a ton of playing time, and should do the same this weekend. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172341' first='Maddi' last='Higginson'] ('25, 5-2 DS/L, Center Grove)</strong> is a rock-steady defender with aspirations on wearing the special jersey. She's very controlled in serve receive and plays like an extra coach on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->