Central Zone Invite Preview: 17 Premier Red

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are SO many divisions for the annual Central Zone Invitational. The next two weeks will cover most of them, and the players that could make an impact for their respective squads. Here are nine players from five different rosters that are using this tournament as a springboard for their recruitment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Academy 17E Riptide</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With athleticism to burn, this squad has players that could possibly compete for roster spots on multiple 1s teams around the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='434168' first='Molly' last='Welborn'] ('25, 5-9 OH, Scecina)</strong> is definitely one of them, and her All-State honors, along with her multi-sport abilities, make her an ideal small school pickup for anyone needing a six rotation outside. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='394210' first='Kaitlyn' last='Lowes'] ('25, 5-10 Pin, Eastern Hancock)</strong> is a big and strong pin attacker that hits a heavy ball. I list her as a pin attacker because of her size and ability to terminate on either antenna.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Boiler Juniors 172E Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In order for this squad to be successful, ball control needs to be at an all-time high. I like setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192015' first='Audrey' last='Butler'] ('25, 5-5 S, Lebanon),</strong> who plays bigger than her frame. She's ideally suited to be part of a 6-2 because of her size, but has the athleticism to run a 5-1 at the D3 level. Locating the ball well for her hitters is something Audrey does best, and that will be the testament of how far this team can go in two days downtown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 17 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another 2s team with talent to burn, this squad also presents a ton of size issues for opposing teams. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='228758' first='Elena' last='Chappell'] ('25, 6-0 MB, Zionsville)</strong> uses her length as her strength and can defend from pin to pin well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221342' first='Lily' last='Jones'] ('26, 6-1 Pin, Roncalli)</strong> is a long and lean attacker that gets up quickly and terminates with pace. I have her listed as a "pin" because of that length---she can block well on the right side and put balls away from anywhere.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dunes 17 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of size, this Dunes team has a couple that are worth the price of admission. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192097' first='Mya' last='Davis'] ('25, 6-1 RS, Triton)</strong> is big and physical on the right, and will give fits to teams trying to face her. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435488' first='Anne' last='Wadle'] ('25, 6-1 OH/MB, Marquette Catholic)</strong> can truly play anywhere along the front row. She's perfect for a three-rotation <em>anything</em> because of her combination of size, skill and strength. As far as this author is concerned, those facts alone should help in her recruiting process, let alone her high volleyball IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TI Elite 17.1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top 17s team at Team Indiana might not have the most size available in the tournament, but they more than make up for it in explosiveness and athleticism. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='193007' first='Jasmine' last='Glenn'] ('25, 5-6 OH, Lawrence North)</strong> is as springy as they come on the left pin, and can transition quicker than most outsides in this class. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172342' first='Mattie' last='Key'] ('25, 5-7 Pin, Indian Creek)</strong> has that multi-sport vibe, coming from the basketball school she attends. Another athletic attacker who's undersized, Mattie finds angles rather than brute strength to score points for her squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->