Indiana Top 250 Preview: Players I’m Excited to Watch in Person

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indiana Top 250 Expo is just <em>ten days away</em> on 12/7/24 and the level of talent is going to be outstanding. Looking at the players registered, you will find young ladies from all over the state - stretching from up north in Fort Wayne to down south in Evansville. There are many familiar names that I am so excited to watch play, but one of my favorite things about these showcases are the new faces who will be walking in the gym. It's one of the reasons I love working with Prep Dig so much - it is a platform that encourages and highlights new and undiscovered talent of ALL levels. So, let's get to know some of the new-to-me (and likely you) players who will be competing at The Academy in less than two weeks ~ they're names you'll likely want to know come club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["435858"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67438ba8ac22b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ella is a player that is new to me, but likely pretty well known in her conference, seeing that she earned all-conference honors in a league that includes perennial powerhouses like Roncalli and Brebeuf. Even though she is just a sophomore, she led Heritage Christian in kills per set at 3.4 and service aces at 55 for the season. Mensch is listed at 5'11", but in the videos I watched she played much taller; she is long and lean with great jumping ability and plays with a ton of confidence for a 2027 player. I am excited to see more of her blocking in person, as well as watch her defensively come December 7th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["510526"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67438ba8ac26c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grace was able to spend her high school season playing alongside some of the best players in the state, and even country, at Roncalli this fall. She is a lengthy OPP/MB with a good vertical jump who has shown she can hit off of two feet or one foot, making her very versatile at the net. When she was able to get on the court for the state champs, she played well, hitting at a .314 clip with just 9 errors on 51 swings. I am most looking forward to seeing her blocking skills at the Expo, but am also excited to watch her back row play - she shows real promise in that area as a possible 6 rotation OPP.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["234797"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67438ba8ac142"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kipp is a six rotation outside hitter who is able to do it all. It is always amazing when you see a player who is in the top two on her team in every category statistically, with the exception of assists (but guess what...she was even 3rd in that)! What stood out to me when watching Evelyn play was her confidence and aggressive play at the net - this young lady is not afraid to swing and go after it, even on broken plays. She plays big and she plays hard, clearly being a physical leader for her team. I look forward to watching her in a couple weeks at the expo and also at NIVA Jrs. to see how she stacks up against some tougher competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[724665],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":724669,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6743938b6cb8d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smithers is the type of setter who can chase down wild passes and put up a great ball to either pin. She has incredible strength in her hands to push the ball across the court in either direction - an awesome skill to have when you're a younger setter. Watching her video, I saw her make numerous sets over her shoulder to the right side that most high school setters are not capable of making so efficiently and effectively. Being just a sophomore, Aliyah has a ton of potential as her defense improves this club season while she plays for Team Indiana. She is a young, dynamic, athletic setter that I look forward to watching make plays happen in a couple of weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='730291' first='Annika' last='Flatjord']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Homestead","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Empowered","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67438ba8ac1e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Annika is a player whom I see blossoming quickly over the next club season with Empowered and into the 2025 high school season. She is already an exceptional track athlete and this year as a freshman made an impression playing with the powerhouse Spartans. Flatjord is a high-flying MB who I expect to really excel as a hitter as she begins getting more experience with hitting quicks in the middle. The speed and agility training she gets from her track experience are sure to pay dividends in the area of blocking as she moves into the 15s age group in club, and I am excited to watch her improve quickly in this area. Just from the few times I have watched her play, I see a ton of potential at the net for this young player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Get ready to watch Indiana HS players showcase their best skills on 12/7/24 at [program_tooltip program_id='431521' first='The' last='Academy Volleyball Club']. There will be live footage available via BallerTV and real-time updates on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/abovethenetvolleyball">@abovethenetvolleyball</a> . After the event, be on the lookout for articles covering standout players, uncommitted prospects, and more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Few more sports open here! Use Code: SmithExpo2024 for a discount on registration! -&gt; <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1291/register/nevada-top-250-expo"><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1308/register/indiana-top-250-expo">2024 Indiana Top 250 Expo | Prep Dig</a></a></em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1308/register/indiana-top-250-expo">https://events.prepdig.com/e/1308/register/indiana-top-250-expo</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->