Packing For Philly: Must-Haves For NEQ, Part One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last weekend in April is usually the last chance any team has to qualify for a higher bid for Vegas or, at the very least, qualify at all. With six rosters from Indiana going for bids this coming weekend, and my flight leaving on Thursday, I have one question---what should I pack? Do I need a great first contact? A setter that can run the 5-1? How about primary-passing outsides that can hammer? Maybe a six-footer that can out jump and out size the opposition? We'll talk about all four of those categories that should be packed and ready to use once we touch down at Philadelphia International Airport. Here are the first contacts that I'm looking at when I get to Philly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In total, three teams from Indiana will vie for that elusive open bid to Vegas. Although mostly playing three rotations for Coach Deem at Circle City, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247782' first='Mia' last='Walpole'] ('26, 5-4 DS/L, Hamilton Southeastern)</strong> could easily be the libero on any other roster. Her controlled platform and fast-but-smooth feet get her to a ton of serves that others her size just can't get to. She's also instinctual---she reads better than most in this age group. As the three-seed in Pool 3, Team Indiana's one's team is probably the toughest three-seed in the tournament, and should make waves on Friday. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='413233' first='Reagan' last='Turk'] ('26, 5-6 DS/L, Roncalli)</strong> comes from a long line of elite defenders at Roncalli, and she's no different. Exceptional in serve receive and natural in her movements, Reagan can pass half the court and defend all three back row positions with ease. I'm also interested in seeing a relative unknown (to me) libero from Rev's 16-1 named <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534556' first='Aubry' last='Dowling'] ('26, 5-3 DS/L, Mount Vernon).</strong> Quick and active, she's the main reason this squad is the only 1-seed to come out of Indiana in this tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 USA</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Circle's 16 Black roster has plenty of talent, but are the only team from Indiana competing in the USA division. As the 1-seed in Pool 10 (Court 24), they're the only non-1's team in their pool on Friday. Anchoring that squad is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513705' first='Kaelin' last='Quinlin'] ('26, 5-6 DS/L, Roncalli),</strong> yet another Roncalli kid that plays controlled and smooth in serve receive and is anticipatory and active on defense. I've seen her play in both left back and middle back, and she plays both positions equally well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 Liberty</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With only one Indiana-based team in Philly in 16 Liberty, our focus will be on what Rev's 16-2s can do this weekend. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503936' first='Miranda' last='Bledsoe'] ('26, 5-5 DS/L, Noblesville)</strong> has the tools and the talent to wear the special jersey, and owns it well. Her footwork is what drew me to her in the first place. Getting stopped before the ball is contacted got her here, and to get out of their tough pool on Friday, she might need to pass half the court in serve receive to keep this squad in-system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->