Central Zone Invite Preview: 15 Open

Kyp Harasymowycz February 2, 2024 @ 07:14 AM

<p>We're at the end of our preview series, and we've FINALLY come to the class of '27. As I walk around the courts this weekend, and through some deep digging of rosters, I'm amazed at how many kids are at or above six feet of height at this age. Here are five kids from five rosters that stand out, literally.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Academy 15E Venom</h2>   <p>From time to time, there are athletes that surprise me. Not many any more, of course, but enough to be mentioned. Insert <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506250' first='Sophia' last='Levine'] ('27, 6-2 Pin, Purdue Poly).</strong> Not only is she big, but she plays the game smoothly. At this size and this level of experience, you don't expect her to have her wits about her. Not true with this one. Her attack touch AND block touch are already above-average for this graduating class, and she's just getting started.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Boiler Juniors 151E Gold</h2>   <p>Again, anyone can be tall. I mean, look at me. I'm a big goofy dude that had to work REALLY hard to be a mediocre volleyball player. But for some, the game comes naturally, just like their athleticism. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443871' first='Kinley' last='Young'] ('27, 6-1 MB, Lebanon)</strong> is just that kind of kid. I got a chance to see her at Academy's summer league, and I was definitely impressed with her youth and aggression. Usually, kids this tall and this young have a hesitation about them. Not Kinley. She's a full-go, no-quit middle that has future M2 written all over her. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 15 Purple</h2>   <p>Length for days is what you get out of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435867' first='Lila' last='Bruszewski'] ('27, 6-0 MB/RS, Carmel).</strong> Already having 4A varsity reps this past fall, Lila uses her length to her advantage regularly. Her long arms allow both the attack touch and block touch to be so high that some attackers and blockers become irrelevant. She also has great decision-making skills when attacking---a trait not normally seen in middles this young.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Munciana 15 Blue</h2>   <p>I cannot state enough how great it is to see an open-level 1s team from Munciana at this event. Normally, we rarely get to see Munciana teams at any Circle-City-run event. This squad, top to bottom, has a ton of size, talent and potential that will give fits to their competition this weekend. The biggest X-factor, literally, is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443848' first='Carsyn' last='Comer'] ('27, 6-1 MB, Westfield).</strong> I put 6-1 here because that's what her roster says, but she looks and plays FAR bigger than that. Miss Comer, like Lila above, has already seen a ton of varsity reps this past fall, and is one of the top recruits in this class. Her length, strength, athleticism and high volleyball IQ make her look older than she is, and the sky is the limit for this young lady when choosing a school in the fall of '27.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rev 15-1 Fuego</h2>   <p>Sticking with the theme to this article, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506252' first='Sophia' last='Farah'] ('27, 6-1 MB, Cathedral)</strong> is yet another big and physical middle that, when given the right tools, can take over a match. Her strong arm, broad shoulders and overall athleticism makes her look and play at a more mature level than her counterparts listed above. She's also got a high level of volleyball acuity---she's not just wailing away at every set that comes to her, she's making sound decisions that help her team win. I look forward to seeing more of the same this weekend.</p>

We're at the end of our preview series, and we've FINALLY come to the class of '27. As I walk around the courts this weekend, and through some deep digging of rosters, I'm amazed at how many kids are at or above six feet of height at this age. Here are five kids from five rosters that stand out, literally.