Emptying The Notebook: Academy Summer League, July 23

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Use code KypDig2024 to get $10 off of your registration to either the Stock Up Showcase or the Freshman Showcase August 3!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had a chance to take in my last summer league before we start our high school season here in Indiana, and there were a ton of highly competitive matches. Although my focus was on teams that had players I hadn't seen before, there were still quite a few that caught my eye that are regulars in my writings. Here they are, in no particular order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Westfield</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To know how young and diverse this squad is, you have to go back a year, where by the end of the fall season, underclass athletes were doing the heavy lifting. With that comes some growing pains, which obviously happen when you're in the toughest conference and sectional for volleyball in the state. However, watching what might be their starters last night, there are two things that you can guarantee about the Shamrocks---they're big and they're better. Starting with the quarterback of the group, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261023' first='Isabelle' last='Jackson']</strong> is significantly better than she was at this time last summer, and her location and speed are much more refined. I also like her athleticism to get to the ball, whether it be as a setter or defending her position. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443848' first='Carsyn' last='Comer']</strong> is, quite literally, Miss Jackson's biggest setting target, and as a class of '27 kid who's already jumping past ten feet, I expect her recruiting to be ramping up quickly. She made her opponents last night look small and slow in comparison, and is a next-level M1 as good as any in 4A. Finally, a pleasant surprise seems to have fallen at the 'Rocks doorstep in the form of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='575131' first='Jordyn' last='Blair'].</strong> A 6-2 MB who is transferring from Tennessee, she's a class of '28 kid that fit in just fine last night among the veterans. Big and physical, the first point of the match last night was from Miss Blair on a zero-tempo ball that you don't normally see rising freshmen be ready to swing at. There will be some connection issues with her setter in the early going, but that should pass once familiarity grows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fishers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I feel like I missed out on one of the bigger surprises from last week's edition, but I was so caught up in the athleticism of the Tigers' middles that I left the most important piece out. Senior transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489968' first='Elaina' last='Wehrman']</strong> is a springy and athletic outside that, although undersized in this position, should make plenty of difference for a Fishers team needing a six-rotation outside. Her attack point is well past ten feet, her pass-to-attack transition is quick, and she has all of the shots in the book.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you graduate, what, FOURTEEN players from a season ago, it's difficult to find out who's actually ready for varsity play. One athlete in particular that stood out in the Panthers' two matches was <strong>Jada White.</strong> Strong and physical, Jada hits a heavy ball to all angles and can do so from both in front of and behind the ten foot line. She's good in serve receive, reads the ball well on defense, and was regularly the main attacker last night. Even her standing floater from behind the baseline was tough to pass. Every part of Miss White's game is built on strength and power, and she showed out doing just that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Columbus North</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Admittedly, I don't make it physically to too many parts of the state. There's only one of me and SO much high-level volleyball out there. That being said, the changes that the Bulldogs have made are centered around (1) taking advantage of their size, and (2) getting the ball to more of their playmakers. It goes without saying that Seton Hall commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254825' first='Kennedy' last='Horn']</strong> was the biggest reason for CN's success the last couple of years, and she did more of the same high-and-hard attacking last night to keep that thought going. What I wasn't expecting was seeing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301135' first='Karen' last='Dutro']</strong> on the left side as a six-rotation outside hitter. I've seen her as a middle her entire career thus far, and to see her step into a more prominent role in receiving and attacking was different, but intriguing. She's already attacking at a very high point, but to have her get a ton of balls in the offense might be the ticket to seeing the Bulldogs succeed and get past that 20-win plateau.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->