Central Zone Invite Preview: 16 Open
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Finally moving to the next younger age group, the 16 Open teams coming to Indianapolis are nothing short of exceptional. Today’s preview targets six rosters with two players each that will kick off their major recruitment year at Central Zones…
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Continue ReadingFinally moving to the next younger age group, the 16 Open teams coming to Indianapolis are nothing short of exceptional. Today’s preview targets six rosters with two players each that will kick off their major recruitment year at Central Zones at the Indiana Convention Center. Here they are, with the clubs in alphabetical order.
Academy 16E Yeti
An excellent mixture of size and talent, the top 16s team at Academy should give fits to opposing teams over the two days at CZ. Madison Brown (’26, 5-9 S, Noblesville) locates an accurate ball for all of her hitters and runs a 5-1 with a maturity not normally seen in kids this young from Indiana. A big she’ll focus on feeding is Avery Lewis Avery Lewis 6'0" | MB Cathedral | 2026 State IN (’26, 6-0 MB, Cathedral). Her older sister has signed with Villanova, so the next-level DNA is there. Her length, strength and speed sets her apart from most middles in this class, and she should be able to put that on display on the first weekend of February.
Boiler Juniors 161E Gold
Speaking of teams that have size and talent, the folks in Lafayette have something to say about that. Lexi Shondell Lexi Shondell 5'8" | S McCutcheon | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-8 S, McCutcheon) already has the DNA, obviously, but plays the position without flash. She does her job, and does it well. I also like her ability to defend her position at an above-average level. Her big to watch is none other than our #1 recruit for the class of ’26, Reese Resmer Reese Resmer 6'0" | MB Noblesville | 2026 State IN (’26, 6-0 MB, Noblesville). She’s got multiple postseason awards and MVP nods during her young career, and should do more of the same to opponents this spring. She can terminate equally from in front of and behind the setter, and defends from pin to pin with the best of them.
Circle City 16 Purple
Need a big college-ready setter? Look no further than Addie Haberthy Addie Haberthy 5'11" | S Roncalli | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-11 S, Roncalli), who is the biggest on this list. She defends at the net well for any pin blocker, let alone a setter. She can run a quick offense regardless of where the ball is passed. She can go over on two if you need it. Addie can do a little bit of everything, which is exactly what a setter should be able to do. Josie Imes Josie Imes 5'10" | OH Zionsville | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-10 OH, Zionsville) will be a primary outlet for Addie if things go south. Miss Imes can terminate from anywhere on the court, and is a six-rotation next-level passer in the making. I look forward to seeing her in her first ICC appearance this year.
Rev 16-1 Fury
For a team located east of Indianapolis, Rev certainly knows how to get kids from all over the area. Grace Hargis Grace Hargis 5'8" | S Avon | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-8 S, Avon) passes right by three clubs to go to her own club practice, and has speed to burn when she appears on the court. I like her ability to get to each and every ball, no matter where it’s passed, and her relentlessness in doing so. She’ll need a heaping helping on offense from Karen Dutro Karen Dutro 6'1" | MB Columbus North | 2026 State IN (’26, 6-1 MB, Columbus North), a high-energy attacker whose attack point makes her look much taller than she actually is.
Team Pineapple 16 BlackL
There are two 16 Black teams at TP, and this is the “1A” version. Two of the top ten recruits in our class of ’26 rankings are on this roster, starting with Sophia Gisslen Sophia Gisslen 5'9" | S Carroll | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-9 S, Carroll). Her high level of play, coupled with her ability to run a fast offense accurately, makes her quite college-ready. She’ll be feeding primary attacker MaryKate Scheumann MaryKate Scheumann 5'10" | OH Bellmont | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-10 OH, Bellmont), a six-rotation, primary-passing outside that should never come out of the game for any reason. Her physical nature, along with her high volleyball IQ, will serve her well once the fall of ’26 arrives.
Team Indiana Elite 16.1
Just around the corner from Academy, the folks at TI have their own 1s team that features a setter that is the youngest listed today. Anabelle Schembra Anabelle Schembra 5'9" | S Center Grove | 2027 State IN (’27, 5-8 S, Center Grove) is already running things for the Trojans in the fall, and did so with a no-quit attitude to boot. Her athleticism bails her passers out regularly, which should translate well to the next-level schedule she’s playing this spring. Her big, a TRUE big, is Elli Strecker (’26, 6-3 MB, Zionsville). Her size is only part of the story, as she plays with a grace and speed not normally seen in kids this big AND this young.