Available '25s Playing 18 Premier At The Central Zone Invite

Most of my focus for the two-day Central Zone Invitational will be on seniors who have yet to find a home. Oddly enough, the 18 Premier division has a healthy number of available kids in multiple positions that can easily make a difference at the next level. Here are eight players from eight different clubs that are worth watching next weekend at the Indiana Convention Center.    Big and physical, Harper has been one of my favorite kids in this grauating class. She's highly coachable, smart, strong and more than willing to do whatever it takes to be on the court. Largely under the radar at Greenfield Central and on Academy's 18-2 squad, having an experienced, six-foot athlete in the middle still available at this time of year is a blessing, and so is she.     OK, I lied. I was so intrigued by this particular kid that I had to include her today, even though she's from the class of '26. As a left-handed middle, her approach to the game gives problems to nearly every defense she comes across. With a high swing and a smart approach, the odd look a lefty in the middle brings isn't so odd once you count how many points Miss Creviston has scored. Yet another kid hidden away at a smaller school and a medium-sized club, Makenzie would be a nice pickup for a team willing to take on raw talent to go with a unique perspective in the middle.     Admittedly, I didn't know Hannah existed until this week. That being said, can anyone use a 6'1" middle? From way up in northern Indiana, Hannah's club schedule splits her time between Chicago and Indianapolis regularly. With a quick arm and good footwork, Miss Parker looks every bit the part of an M2. Although her net defense is more advanced than her offense, she still is capable of hitting high and hard on multiple tempi of sets and scoring a few points per set with that armswing of hers. You can't teach size, and Hannah has enough of it to be worth the commitment and development.     I do struggle with finding kids from northern Indiana. I just don't get up there enough to search out those "diamonds in the rough". With that in mind, I was pleasantly surprised to see Miss Anglin's video as some of the "uncommitted" variety. She's more setter than right side at the moment, but has all of the tools to do both at the next level. Her hands are strong, high and quick, with accuracy to her hitters. As a right side, she has all of the shots in the book, and could easily be part of a modified 6-2, never having to come out of the game.     Rarely do I spend time talking about defensive specialists, since there are soooooo many. With Claudia, however, you're getting a special kid. As the libero for a perennial 20-win 4A high school program, Miss Antcliff was a HUGE part of the Eagles' success for the last three seasons. Currently playing club ball at Monon, a more "regional" club under the Academy umbrella, she's the libero again, and would be an absolute steal for anyone that needs an above-average serve receive kid with energy to burn. With great footwork and a quiet platform, she's always in the right spot doing what's necessary to make that first contact count.     Aleece is yet another of those "diamonds" that I've talked about frequently today. Springy and athletic, Miss Oakes plays for a small high school and an even smaller club that allows her to show off her athleticism. Probably projecting to being a right side at the next level, she's more than capable of doing both for a small college. I like the explosiveness she brings to the attack, and she more than makes up for her size with her athleticism.     Aside from Harper listed above, most of this list has a ton of kids from smaller schools that have been largely overlooked this season. With Miss Armstrong, we continue that small-school theme. She's got arms for days, allowing her to attack higher than her 5'10" frame might otherwise dictate. Her block is more refined and consistent than her attack at the moment---I'd like to see her give herself a little space from the net when attacking, as that would allow us to see what a full arm swing from her looks like. With great training at Pineapple, plus her long arms, she's a work in progress that will be a nice addition down the road at a small school.     Another small-school kid, but with a larger club this time. Olivia is probably more right side than middle at the moment, simply because she's so good attacking from the right pin. Yet another just under six feet, but with arms for days that make her look a lot taller. Still a little narrow on the block for my taste, Olivia's athleticism helps make up for her raw talent in upper-level volleyball skills, and should get plenty of that upper-level training from Rev this spring.

Most of my focus for the two-day Central Zone Invitational will be on seniors who have yet to find a home. Oddly enough, the 18 Premier division has a healthy number of available kids in multiple positions that can easily make a difference at the next level. Here are eight players from eight different clubs that are worth watching next weekend at the Indiana Convention Center.