Celebrating Hoosiers: Available 25s Going To GJNC 18s, Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In part two of our Celebrating Hoosiers series, we cover the remainder of the divisions that have Indiana-based clubs attending. Unlike AAUs, these teams actually earned their spot in this prestigious tournament by placing high enough or winning certain regional qualifiers or national qualifiers. Each of these teams did just that, and each of these teams will be in Baltimore in their respective divisions. Here they are, in no particular order, with class of '25 athletes that have yet to commit to a home for the fall of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Aside: As of the writing of this article, Rev 18-1 Avengers (earned USA bid through NEQ) have all of their players either signed to play somewhere or have already committed to a school for their future.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em> </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">National: Circle City 18 Black (earned bid at Hoosier Regionals)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams that are listed as a "two's" team in 18s clubs here in Indiana don't often qualify for GJNCs. Placing in the top ten in multiple tournaments, this version of Circle's 18-2 more than earned their bid at Hoosier Regionals. Of the kids on this roster, one sticks out as a leader for her squad. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173245' first='Isabelle' last='Brown'] (5-9 S, Avon)</strong> is a max-effort type of setter, locating the ball well on every pass despite where it was passed. She's fully capable of running a 5-1 at the next level, and has proven to be able to do just that for every team she's ever played for. Receiving some interest from multiple Division I schools, it is hard for me to believe that she's still available. However, what you'll get in Miss Brown is a workhorse that is team-first and highly coachable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">USA: Team Indiana Elite 18.1 (earned bid at NEQ)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a ton of talent up and down this particular roster from all over central Indiana. I personally got a chance to see this team play at Windy City 18s back in January, and this squad has come SO far from then. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172345' first='Skylar' last='Kritzmire'] (5-10 OH, Roncalli)</strong> has six-rotation outside written all over her. She has the tools and the talent to hit every shot in the book, and makes the pass-to-attack transition look simple. Defender <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172340' first='Leah' last='Killinger'] (5-5 DS, Zionsville)</strong> can also set in a pinch, and is deadly from behind the baseline. Her footwork and calm platform makes her passes accurate and consistent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Liberty: KeAloha 18-1 Nazare' (earned bid at Ohio Valley Qualifier)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the Valparaiso area in northern Indiana, this squad earned their bid through the relentless gauntlet that is OVRs. Of this roster, one particular six-footer catches my eye. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534069' first='Marissa' last='Roe'] (6-1 MB/RS, Chesterton)</strong> is a big and physical M2 that excels off of two feet in her attack. She can put balls away from the pin as well, making her that much more recruitable. I like her high attack point, her ability to pass despite "being a middle", and her consistent and faster-than-average footwork.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">American: Empowered 18 Elite Black (earned bid at Hoosier Regionals)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're looking for 25s that have size, speed and skill, look no further than this squad from the Fort Wayne area. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='161657' first='Sophia' last='Barber'] (6-0 OH, NorthWood)</strong> thrives on finding ways to terminate balls that are out-of-system---something a lot of kids in this class fail to do until they get to college. She's also a primary passer, and her pass-to-attack skills are fluid and athletic. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='476291' first='Olivia' last='Kracium'] (6-1 MB, DeKalb)</strong> is a strong, long and lean M2 that has fast feet and can hit any angle a middle should from in front of the setter. She's also tough behind the baseline, making her that much more recruitable for the next level. I like how she closes blocks to make them terminal---rarely is she caught off-guard by an opposing setter, and she finishes well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Freedom: Circle City 18 White (earned bid at Hoosier Regionals)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By earning a trickle-down bid at regionals, Circle's three's team also earned a bid to Baltimore next week. My favorite kid from this roster is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534071' first='Miranda' last='Woodard'] (5-11 OH, Decatur Central)</strong>, an athlete from a non-traditional volleyball program. I list her as an outside for this squad, but she can easily play middle at a small school because of that jumping ability of hers (she IS part of the ten-foot club). Fast and athletic, you could do much worse in the speed and strength department, even among the group of kids listed here. Her raw athleticism has helped her through a few seasons of high school ball, and now has that club training underneath her to see what she's made of in Baltimore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->