Hoosier Regionals: 17s Teams Playing For GJNCs, Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today is bracket day at every President's Day tournament around the country. We can never be too soon on finding and earning bids for GJNCs in Vegas in the summer. In the 17s division, one National bid and one American bid are up for grabs. Here are three teams, with two players each, looking to punch their tickets to Vegas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 17 Purple</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a disappointing finish at Central Zone's a couple of weeks ago, this squad looks to have righted the ship and earned the #1 overall seed going into the gold bracket this morning in Saint Louis. That being said, I believe at this age that defense and serve receive wins championships. Two uncommitted for-sure college defenders in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173244' first='Eva' last='Hurrle'] ('25, 5-8 DS/L, Roncalli)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152932' first='Bella' last='Dafforn'] ('25, 5-4 DS/L, Lawrence North)</strong> can play any of the three defensive positions, receive serve at an above-average rate, and are reliable plug-and-play defenders. I'd like to see these two carry the flag defensively and earn one of the two bids available in this age group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ignite 17 Elite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From WAY up north, the Ignite Elite crowd brings two teams to this bid tournament. The "elite" squad is their 1s program, with no shortage of talent. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='509315' first='Brooke' last='Cawthon'] ('25, 5-10 OH, Hobart)</strong> has long arms and plays bigger than her frame. She has the ability to go over blocks when attacking on the pins, a trait she'll need come this weekend. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512074' first='Alexis' last='Lehew'] ('25, 5-9 Pin, Portage)</strong> plays a ton of middle at the moment, but should project to being a pin attacker at the next level. She understands defense at the net from a middle's perspective, so moving her to the outside should be an easy transition for her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 17 White</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the flagship USAV club here in Indiana, it goes without saying that multiple Circle teams will be in the bid tournament. The 3s team has a trio of defenders to watch in action---<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='726915' first='Maklyn' last='Knuckles'] ('25, 5-1 DS/L, Danville), [player_tooltip player_id='172323' first='Keira' last='Meierant'] ('25, 5-7 DS/L, Franklin Central)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152934' first='Peyton' last='Ridge'] ('25, 5-6 DS/L, Speedway).</strong> Under-appreciated and overlooked, this trio of floor defenders could easily take over the libero jersey not only at their own high schools but for any next-level school that needs one. Each can play all three defensive positions, each are tough behind the baseline and each are calm and cool under pressure in serve receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->