Indy Cup Preview: Players To Watch In 17/18 Open

<p>This two day event held at multiple sites throughout central Indiana features 400+ teams playing in 22 divisions. Today's edition will focus on players to watch for each Indiana-based team playing in the 17/18 Open division. Here they are, in alphabetical (and rank within the club) order by team.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Academy 17E Tsunami</h2>   <p>It's hard to fly under the radar when the team you play for is having such a successful season. However, that's exactly what <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='539615' first='Noema' last='Philistin-Lynch'] ('25, 5-9 RS, Carmel)</strong> is doing with this squad. The only attacker on this team jumping past ten feet, Noema spent all of last club season AND last fall as a middle, and has recently transitioned to the right side. She could probably play on either pin with that athleticism of hers. Nevertheless, watching her play is a treat, and her smooth jumping ability, fast feet and high volleyball IQ have helped her score points regularly for the Tsunami this club season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Academy 17E Riptide</h2>   <p>From one 5-9 kid to another, but this time in another position. Multi-sport stud <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='434168' first='Molly' last='Welborn'] ('25, 5-9 OH, Scecina)</strong> is the primary attacker for her high school squad in the fall, and is a solid pickup for anyone needing either a three-rotation attacker or a six-rotation outside. Her athleticism speaks for itself, and her transition footwork is textbook. I like her relentless attitude on the court---that willingness to go for it 100% regardless of the score or the situation.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Boiler Juniors 171E Gold</h2>   <p>With a few players on this roster already committed to play somewhere starting in the fall of '25, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260981' first='Abigail' last='Kaminski'] ('25, 5-10 OH, Franklin Central)</strong> is a nice find on this roster. Her all-around game has propelled her this far, and has all of the shots in the book from the left pin. Consistently ready to attack at all times, Miss Kaminski has a whip of an arm and is faster than she looks on video.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 17 Purple</h2>   <p>I've spent a ton of time covering players on this squad this club season, so why not talk about a kid that hasn't received as much publicity? Insert <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487338' first='Lauren' last='Wilson'] ('25, 6-0 Pin, New Castle).</strong> Her ability to hit high and hard on both pins regularly makes her very recruitable for the next level, although I've seen her best work on the right side. She's broad-shouldered as a blocker, making her tough to go against. Her size speaks volumes---bigger than most right sides this weekend, she should see a ton of mismatches when she attacks.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 17 Black</h2>   <p>The "2s" team at Circle in this age group plays more like a 17-1.5 with all of the talent that is up and down the roster. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='228758' first='Elena' last='Chappell'] ('25, 6-0 MB, Zionsville)</strong> is yet another big and physical middle from Zionsville that has long arms to go with that high attack touch. She looks more comfortable as an M2 on this squad, but I have seen her put slides away before, so either position should suit her. Length is her strength, as she takes long strides not only in transition but defending from pin to pin as well.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">CVBC 17-1 Ballers</h2>   <p>Cougar VBC from the Seymour area has churned out solid teams year-in and year out, mostly coming from Columbus, Trinity Lutheran, Seymour and the Bloomington high schools. One player in particular, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157945' first='Carson' last='Bowling'] ('25, 6-0 MB, Trinity Lutheran),</strong> is the main catalyst on this roster. With the ability to hit from anywhere at any time, I was almost going to list her position as "ATH". No matter where you might think Carson fits, she can do it, and all without the attention. She's also an All-State honoree, a trait that not all of the kids on this list can lay claim to.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Empowered 17 Elite Black</h2>   <p>Strong and broad-shouldered, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='332516' first='Alyssa' last='Hall'] ('25, 5-11 MB, Homestead)</strong> is one of many big and physical players from Homestead High School. She's a sure-fire M2 at the next level, and has the upper body strength to muscle through weaker and less disciplined blocks regularly. I also like her net defense, as her strong hands and natural width to her block makes going against her tough.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NCISVBC 18-1</h2>   <p>My first view of this squad was at the Early Bird back in January, and one player stood out immediately. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='499064' first='Ella' last='Miller'] ('27, 6-0 OH, Benton Central)</strong> held her own as a freshman playing against senior-heavy teams, and has steadily improved her game through multiple qualifiers and high-impact tournaments. She may look lithe, but has a quick arm to attack with, plays without fear of error and is fitting in just fine with open-level play at this age group.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rev 17-1 Raptors</h2>   <p>For the most part, this roster might be the shortest top to bottom in the tournament. With no players at six feet, one can only conclude that skill and high volleyball acuity is what wins matches for the Raptors. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='539617' first='Shelby' last='Bryan'] ('25, 5-10 MB/RS)</strong> fits that mold completely. She uses blocks regularly, can play mutiple positions, and does all of the little things allowing her to not only score points but be a reliable teammate on a solid 17 Open team.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Summit 17 Blue Elite</h2>   <p>From the Fort Wayne area, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227184' first='Bailey' last='Sinish'] ('26, 5-8 OH, Carroll)</strong> comes from an exceptional blue-blood volleyball program in Carroll. She is the quintessential six-rotation outside that should never come out of a game, as her all-around game is what got her this good in the first place. She makes up for her size with great athleticism and jumping ability, is smooth in serve receive, and seems to always be around the ball when her squad needs a side out.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TI Elite 17.1</h2>   <p>Zionsville is stacked with long, lean and athletic players on their squad. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='298600' first='Maddie' last='Herman'] ('26, 6-0 MB, Zionsville)</strong> can play either middle position, but looks to project as an M2 at the next level. I like her ability to get up quickly in transition and defend from pin to pin. Both skills require quickness and long strides, which Maddie uses to her advantage regularly.</p>

This two day event held at multiple sites throughout central Indiana features 400+ teams playing in 22 divisions. Today's edition will focus on players to watch for each Indiana-based team playing in the 17/18 Open division. Here they are, in alphabetical (and rank within the club) order by team.