Central Zone Invite Preview: 16 Premier Red

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the teams that are <em>almost</em> at an open level, the next best division you could play in at the CZI is 16 Premier Red. There are numerous 1s teams dotting this division, and a ton of talent will be showcased on the first weekend of February. Here are ten athletes from five rosters from around Indiana that should make an impact for both their squad and their recruiting journeys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Academy 16E Phoenix</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The equivalent of the 16-2 at any other club, this particular roster has 1s potential. The potential starts with setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503934' first='Aiva' last='Kresge'] ('26, 5-9 S, Greenwood Christian),</strong> who has super soft hands and locates the ball well. Her length allows her to get to most passes, both in-and out-of-system. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301138' first='Hayden' last='Ramsey'] ('26, 6-0 MB, New Palestine)</strong> is probably the biggest and strongest attacker on this squad, and looks to be an M2 at the next level. Her transition is quick and her armswing is heavy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Boiler Juniors 162E Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another 2s team that can act as a possible 1A roster, this particular group pulls from more local teams to fill their roster. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='387449' first='Audrey' last='Alexander'] ('26, 5-11 RS, West Lafayette)</strong> doesn't have to go far to put balls away and be a thorn in the side of opposing attackers. Her length makes her look taller than she is, and she uses it to her advantage. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='386164' first='Caya' last='Stillings'] ('26, 5-4 DS/L, Faith Christian)</strong> has a cool and calm demeanor about her in serve receive, and has that "it" factor when it comes to possibly wearing the special jersey at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 16 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I realize that this is a broken record by now, but it goes without saying that this is another 2s roster that has high-end talent on it that would probably play on a 1s team in any other club. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='394127' first='Ella' last='Vandermark'] ('26, 6-1 MB, Danville)</strong> is a big and physical middle that hits angles better than most at this age and in this position. She's also a bear to deal with on defense---her pin-to-pin coverage is some of the best in this class. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220830' first='Kate' last='Vrabel'] ('26, 5-8 OH, Brownsburg)</strong> is a six-rotation, primary-passing outside that has already earned all-conference nods during the high school season. Playing at a more mature level than other outsides in the class of '26, Kate is perfecting the art of the pass-to-attack skill that is so important to master at her size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Empowered 16 Elite Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 1s team for the 16s at Empowered is a who's who of size and skill. Probably the biggest of the rosters listed here, two that catch my attention are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='334559' first='Annika' last='Koepke'] ('26, 5-11 Pin, New Haven)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='497500' first='McKayla' last='Reuter'] ('26, 5-11 RS/S, Churubusco).</strong> Both have size and skill for days, and both have length to defend at the net and make things easier for the floor defenders behind them. Both also have a unique skill that sets them apart. Annika can put balls away from either pin, and will probably do so at CZI. McKayla can step in and set if needed, making her that much more recruitable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rev 16-2 Lions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lesser known kids dot this roster, including one from a typically basketball-favored school. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301140' first='Adriana' last='Williams'] ('26, 5-10 OH, Indian Creek)</strong> comes from south of Indianapolis and has left side skills that are above-average. I like her high attack point and her athleticism. Both will serve her well going forward. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503936' first='Miranda' last='Bledsoe'] ('26, 5-6 DS/L, Noblesville)</strong> comes from a more traditional volleyball program in school, and can be either a three-rotation DS or wear the special jersey at the next level. Her platform is calm while her feet get her to her spot, and contacts from her are always settable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->