Two More 17U Ohio Squads to See

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>AVC 17 Red</em></strong><br>Here is a team with big expectations as they have some of our top prospects in our 2025 class in various positions. Leading the way is our top-ranked prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='152043' first='Belle' last='Groomes'], a San Diego commit. Groomes is a 6'1 versatile force that brings big heat and range with her left arm while also possessing savvy skills to deliver the offense as a setter. If she is to lead this team through a 5-1 situation, her ability to turn and swing on the second contact will be a handful for opposing defenses. This offense will get a lot of contribution from middle [player_tooltip player_id='152049' first='Kayla' last='Channell'] (*pictured), another top prospect among our top-10. She has length that helps her impact the game in big ways on both sides of the ball. Two non-Ohio high school athletes will be key. <strong>Emma Parks</strong> (Meadville, PA) is committed to Marquette and brings a huge arm that can score with pace from any location across the net. [player_tooltip player_id='445105' first='Alexa' last='Stutzman'] (Williamsville, NY) is a high quality DS/L committed to SEC power Tennessee. She has great movement in pursuit of the first contact in serve receive and defensively that creates great opportunities for their offense. Pin [player_tooltip player_id='152050' first='Aubrey' last='Anders'] is a 6'1 attacker that continues to increase the use of her length and quality of her arm to score. She is committed to Colgate. [player_tooltip player_id='289172' first='Natalya' last='Bergant'] is another lefty force at the right pin. What she might lack in size and length she makes up for with good arm control and speed when hitting. The second middle option will likely be shared between 6'4 <strong>B'lise Bradley</strong> and 6'2 [player_tooltip player_id='185348' first='Ava' last='Carney']. They both should complement their primary offensive weapons well with their size and as they increase their speed and efficiency. Their biggest impact for this team may be on the defensive side at the net. Others rounding out the roster include outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='289167' first='Madison' last='Miner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='401366' first='Mi-Na' last='Diggs']. Miner, at 5'11, is a top-30 prospect that had a great high school campaign for Perry in 2023. Diggs is an undersized attacker by most standards. However, she can get up and uses vision and good arm control to be able to score against bigger blockers in front of her. Pin [player_tooltip player_id='218156' first='Chloe' last='Smith'] adds depth to their attacking corps as she makes the jump to Red after playing for 16 White last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='573314' first='Hallie' last='Hendrickx']</strong> will provide support through her quickness and defensive range in a DS/L role. They will be a favorite in their first big event mid-January at the Nike Classic close to home. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Mintonette m.71</em></strong><br>Setter [player_tooltip player_id='151967' first='Larsen' last='Terrill'] is the top-ranked prospect on this squad and one of the best distributors in this Ohio class. She was a key force for Highland this past fall as they made a run to the regional semifinal round in the postseason. She finished the season just shy of 800 total assists. Another capable distributor is [player_tooltip player_id='400303' first='Jetta' last='Brenning']. The combination of these two brings depth to the setting role as Brenning can also swing for points with an aggressive left arm. In the middle is [player_tooltip player_id='232147' first='Isabelle' last='Thomas'], a prospect that played previously for this club's national power at the 15U level last season. She has a lot of competitive experience and success that should help stabilize their net play. Pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='151970' first='Dylan' last='Hunt'] (New Hampshire commit) had another big high school season this past fall and will be a key arm for their offensive effort. She now has over 800 total kills at Pickerington North. She will pair with [player_tooltip player_id='152041' first='Presley' last='Stokes'] on the left side, a 3rd team all-Ohio selection for DIV from Wellsville. Another key arm for this team is pin attacker [player_tooltip player_id='289166' first='Finley' last='Sparks'] who makes a club switch for this season. Sparks had her best high school effort of her Oletangy varsity career in 2023 with 277 total kills, good for second on the team. The ball control and defense should be a big strength of this squad led by [player_tooltip player_id='152359' first='Keira' last='Steininger'], a state champion with New Bremen and all-Ohio honorable mention selection. Also earning all-Ohio honors is [player_tooltip player_id='445113' first='Rebekah' last='Williams'], undoubtedly one we will watch as a stock riser for our future rankings update. These two have solid fundamentals in their reads and movement around the court and are both capable of holding down the full-time libero role for this team. Adding depth offensively is returning pin [player_tooltip player_id='152040' first='Macie' last='Moreland']. <strong>Chloe Moreland</strong> makes the leap to the top team in her age group this club season and will add depth in the middle and at the pins if needed. The 6'0 [player_tooltip player_id='151965' first='Kylah' last='McNeal'] returns looking quicker and more dynamic with her arm in the middle. Her ability to score will help balance their offense given the strength and depth at both pins. This team also opens up their competitive season at the Nike Classic in mid-January.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->