Early Bird Shootout Preview: Top 16s at Capitol Sports Center

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Club season is in full swing here in Indiana. The MEPL (read: JVA) portion of the club schedule started in earnest this past weekend, while the majority of the rest of our club season starts this weekend at various locations in and around Indianapolis at the Early Bird Shootout. Poring over the rosters that are available (ahem: no Union or Metro rosters online at the time of writing), there are plenty of talented athletes to take a look at on Sunday. Here are 12 (!!!) kids from four different rosters that call Indiana home that will make an impact this weekend and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 16 Purple (16-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quite a few skilled athletes dot this roster, all with unique skill sets. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443864' first='Chloe' last='Moss']</strong> might be the most dynamic and athletic of the bunch. Her explosiveness and quick-twitch movements on transition in the middle are second to none, and you hardly notice that she's one of the shorter middles out there---she beats so many of the larger and slower middles regularly that it's hard to not notice her. This roster has a solid "larger" middle that's faster than she looks in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='588470' first='Milana' last='Mays'].</strong> The Fishers product has length for days, attacks higher than most in this position, and will be an exceptional addition to this roster. I like her length a lot---she can defend from pin to pin with only a couple steps needed, and will only get better with the solid training she'll receive at Circle this spring. Finally, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435863' first='Jenna' last='Dittmer']</strong> is a strong and reliable pin attacker that, because of her size, looks to be a left side attacker at the next level. No matter; her abilities transcend her height, and has every shot in the book for either in-system or out-of-system sets. She can even turn bad sets into hittable opportunities, and rarely forces an error when things aren't perfect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pineapple High Performance 16-1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New club but same high-level talent, PHP has branched out from Pineapple as THE club to watch from Northeast Indiana. Big, physical, high-end athletes are up and down this roster, starting with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586949' first='Elle' last='Boser'].</strong> Elle is a 6'2" high-flying attacker that's more than capable of being a six-rotation outside at the next level. A well-rounded, multi-sport athlete, Miss Boser uses those multi-sport skills to be an exceptional blocker, all while getting better at the little things in volleyball. We've already seen this young lady at our showcases, but Sunday's tourney might be the first time we get to see her play against open-level competition. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='739981' first='Emery' last='Cardinal'] </strong>is another big and physical athlete that can play multiple positions, just like she did at Guerin Catholic this past fall. She could be either an M2 or a right side at the next level, so stay tuned on which position she might settle in with this season. With a high attack point, a broad blocking posture and fiery energy, Emery is must-watch material for the early club season. We've talked about the bigs in this age group, but what about the "littles"? Look no further than <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435866' first='Kyla' last='Hurley'],</strong> a class of '28 defender that can more than hold her own with the older kids. Quick on her feet and anticipatory, Kyla has a solid and consistent platform that pairs nicely with an active base. Realistically, she could play any of the back row positions at the next level, but sitting in the seam in middle back and digging the opposing outside's best shot is her strength. She should also wear a "do not serve me" sign, as she's guaranteed to give a three-pass to any setter she works with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 15 Purple (15-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no shortage of power and high volleyball IQ at the 15s level at Circle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545991' first='Audrey' last='Utterback'],</strong> like the rest of her family, is a workhorse of a volleyball player that can play all the way around, get every set, and never tire out. She's got a strong upper body, relentless energy and a heavy arm that makes digging her difficult, even on her worst days. Her high school season was rough, so seeing her with fellow open-level players and competition will be a better gauge of her talents and what she can do in the future. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523245' first='Finley' last='Smith']</strong> reclassified to the class of '28, and should fit in just fine with this group. Long and lean, Miss Smith can defend from pin to pin with ease, and, with the right setter, do whatever she wants on zero tempo sets as an M2. Finally, <strong>McKenna Muncy</strong> can hit high and hard from the middle, and is most definitely a next-level M2 in the making. Her long arms make some blocks look small, she defends well for her position AND her age, and should be able to showcase both her offense and defense well because of her size. I'm looking forward to seeing her play this open-level schedule, as she dominated her same-aged competition this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 16 Black (16-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A mixture of club transfers and overachieving unknowns fill this roster, along with youth and experience. <strong>Ali </strong><b>Nob</b><strong>be </strong>is a long and lean attacker that, with a little training, should turn into a six-rotation outside by the end of this club season. Her reach and athleticism are on full display when she plays, and can hit any shot you ask her to. I'd like to see a little more upper body strength from Miss Nobbe as she ages, but for now, her physical gifts should carry her through the early going of her club schedule this spring. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443867' first='Avery' last='Walter']</strong> is a high-volume pin attacker that has already seen extensive time on varsity this past fall and will be an asset when close matches need a for-sure kill from a fast arm. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435860' first='Evyn' last='Taylor']</strong> has already shown us her talents at our showcase, and puts balls away equally well on in-system and out-of-system swings. I like her on the right pin for now, since her size and skill warrants such placement. Playing either pin, however, is more Miss Taylor's type of player. She has that high-arm-swing, high-elbow-type of attack point, which is hard to teach and even harder to find in this age group, especially on a 2s squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->