Emptying The Notebook: 16s At Regionals

Although I only had an opportunity to watch a couple of 16s matches at Hoosier Regionals, there were three teams that had multiple players that can definitely make a difference at the next level. Here they are, in no particular order.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ignite 16 Elite</h2>   Multiple positions, multiple skills, multiple opportunities to show what you have. That line might be the theme for this team, as they ran a strict 6-2 without substitutes in the match I saw. [player_tooltip player_id='381125' first='Lucinda' last='McCollum'] ('26, 5-10 S/RS, Merrilville) looked to be the most athletic and well-rounded of the bunch, attacking at almost ten feet while running an offense in the three rotations she set. Smooth and confident, she was relentless with her effort and skill throughout the match I saw. Add to it that she's left-handed, and you can see why she's easily recruitable. Her opposite, [player_tooltip player_id='514784' first='Abigail' last='Parrish'] ('26, 6-0 S/RS, Chesterton) was the lone "big" on this roster, and played her role well. She's a reliable setter, but might be more known for her high attack touch and exceptional ability to read block. [player_tooltip player_id='514786' first='Avery' last='Mullin'] ('26, 5-9 OH, Valparaiso) had the majority of the swings on Sunday, and she can easily carry the load of primary passer as well. When this squad needed a side-out, Avery was the go-to. In order for all of this to work, however, you need outstanding ball control. Insert [player_tooltip player_id='489963' first='Ava' last='Bercot'] ('26, 5-8 DS/L, Illiana Christian) and [player_tooltip player_id='510766' first='Kylee' last='Dusseau'] ('26, 5-3 DS/L, Crown Point). On most other squads, they'd be the lone libero on any other 1s team. In this case, this is an embarrassment of riches in the passing department. Both are smooth and controlled, both read attackers well, and both can receive serve with the best defenders in the state. This team finished fourth this weekend because of their excellent ball control.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team Indiana 16.1</h2>   Speaking of an embarrassment of riches, the talent on this roster is ridiculous. [player_tooltip player_id='512366' first='Elli' last='Strecker'] ('26, 6-3 MB, Zionsville) set the tone early, often, and throughout the title match. She was by far the biggest and most effective attacker on either team, and was a pain to hit against because of her disciplined blocking. Smooth and athletic on sets in front of and behind the setter, this is the real deal when it comes to middles in central Indiana in this class. Literally "setting" the tone was setter [player_tooltip player_id='435850' first='Anabelle' last='Schembra'] ('27, 5-9 S, Center Grove), getting to every ball and making even the worst of passes hittable. She defends her position well, and has found a hybrid jump serve that proved difficult for her opponents to control. [player_tooltip player_id='254827' first='Lydia' last='Stahley'] ('26, 6-1 OH, Roncalli) has all of the tools and the talent to be a six-rotation outside at the next level. Long and lean, she's quick to the ball, attacks at her maximum jump, and is always ready to hit. The surprise on this roster is someone I've not mentioned before, I don't believe. [player_tooltip player_id='261044' first='Natalie' last='Vance'] ('26, 6-0 RS, Center Grove) can play any of the front row positions, but played right side throughout the times I saw her play. She's tough to hit against, is a reliable attacker on the right pin, and has a strong upper body to challenge anything tight at the net.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 16 Purple</h2>   Looking at times to be unstoppable, the top team in the 16s division definitely had their hands full with TI's 1s in the title match. Earning the National bid for the Hoosier Region, this roster wouldn't be anywhere without [player_tooltip player_id='252404' first='Addie' last='Haberthy'] ('26, 5-11 S, Roncalli) running the show. She was in control throughout, with high, deceptive hands and attacked well when the play necessitated an attack. She ran an offense that was smaller than TI's, and kept the blockers guessing. If anything, her slower approach to her setting tempo helped her hitters find ways to score points. The benefiters of her setting accuracy were outsides [player_tooltip player_id='221478' first='Josie' last='Imes'] ('26, 5-10 OH, Zionsville) and [player_tooltip player_id='226810' first='Ella' last='Warrick'] ('26, 5-8 OH, Linton-Stockton). Josie hits a heavy ball and can terminate at will if you let her. She's deadly from the front row and put away a bunch of balls in the back. Ella, although smaller in stature, puts some pace on the ball that sneaks up on defenders. Her shot selection is key, and her high volleyball IQ helps her decisions. Both can receive serve all the way around, and both are tough from behind the baseline. Finally, an X-factor for me was [player_tooltip player_id='514782' first='London' last='Smith'] ('26, 5-10 MB, Brownsburg). I just wrote yesterday about how Brownsburg always seems to produce athletes at every attacking position, and London is no different. She is super springy, and made the bigger middles she went against look slow by comparison. Addie set wide-1s and 3s to London down the stretch, and I don't recall an error being made. Those kills were the difference in the 17-15 third set. Miss Smith also defends well from pin to pin, and uses her springy nature to make it look easier than it actually is.

Although I only had an opportunity to watch a couple of 16s matches at Hoosier Regionals, there were three teams that had multiple players that can definitely make a difference at the next level. Here they are, in no particular order.