Team to Watch from the CZ Invite: Circle City 15 Purple

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend I had the pleasure of taking in the Central Zone Invite at the Indianapolis Convention Center. One of the divisions I wanted to make sure and watch (because I feel like it often is not covered), was 15 Open. This year the 15 Open division had three teams ranked in the top 15 nationally, so I knew the competition would be top notch. After watching Circle City 15 Purple take home the championship versus Legacy 15-1 Adidas in two sets, I knew I needed to do a feature on them. They have a high-powered, well-balanced offense, a never say die defense and a great coaching staff. This team will certainly be tested and get to play some serious competition nationally this year at tournaments like the Sunshine Qualifier and Prep Dig Gauntlet. So, without further ado, meet Circle City 15 Purple, CZ Invite Champs and one of my teams to watch this season...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545996"],"_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-67990990dd383"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Groninger is the quarterback of this high-powered, well-balanced offense. Unlike many setters her age, Charlee spreads the ball around well to her many offensive weapons, rather than just chucking it to the pins time and time again. She proves she can run any set while jump setting, including quick sets to the pins, good tempo slides and a great bic up the middle. Groninger is not afraid to go against the flow or make the difficult set - a trait not seen in many young setters. Not only that, but she can also be offensive at the right times and in clutch situations, oftentimes getting her team out of a jam or to match point. She is a lethal server (everyone on this team seems to be) who can pick apart the opposing team with her accuracy and go on big runs. Without an incredible young setter like Charlee, this team could never reach the heights it's positioned to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["746389"],"_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-679a58b8d72d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Much like Groninger, Hamood is an absolutely essential part of this elite level Open squad. What really stands out to me most about Stella's game as just a freshman, is the way in which she leads the back court. She is the libero you want in the back, controlling the defense and making things run smoothly. Her confidence is unmatched at her age in this position and when you combine it with her defensive skillset, you have a player who is just flat out fun to watch! Hamood is calm in serve receive, all over the place on defense, ALWAYS working to cover every hitter, vocal throughout the match and never misses a chance to celebrate her teammates kills. If you need a freshman libero to keep your eye on, now you have her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["745336"],"_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-679a58b8d73e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's hard to believe that a team of this caliber has <em>8th graders</em> playing on it, but this one has <strong>TWO</strong> (both named Gabby!) and they both play well beyond their years. Gabby is a defensive player that you simply cannot take your eyes off of because of her energy AND skill. She brings so much life to the game with a big smile, insane hustle plays and awesome celebrations. What really impressed me the most with Bassett was her passing ability against some really tough servers. She is very confident when passing and is able to pass outside of her body really effectively, which allows her to pass hard-driven float serves well. On defense she is next level in middle back, reading and reacting quickly on hard driven balls in the seam and touches off the block. Lastly, Bassett's serve is a game changer. She can bring this team back in a hurry and get the opponent out of system to create long scoring runs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["745189"],"_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-67990990dd48e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nora is one of the fastest defensive players I have recently watched, able to run down a short tip or serve with ease and get up balls that you thought no one had a chance of getting. She really takes the short tip out of the game for opposing OHs when she is in right back, freeing up the rest of the defense to get ready for hard driven balls around the block. Smith is also really good at digging the seam ball from the opposing teams RS hitter, especially hit out in front of her - just when I thought a swing was about to hit the floor, Nora would come flying under it. The secret weapon of this young lady is two-fold: her absolutely wicked, deep float serves, plus her top tier block and kill celebrations. If you want to score runs of points and have the best time doing it, Miss Smith is your girl!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545991"],"_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-67990990dd504"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you had to name the <em>go-to</em> player on this squad, it would certainly be Utterback. I am not sure how more volleyball writers/scouts aren't talking about her yet, but they will soon realize the error of their ways when they see her play. She is a high-flying, bomb-blasting, put on your helmet type of hitter who can also block, pass and play solid defense. Audrey is a workhorse who you can just tell is destined for amazing things. She leads by example when she plays, hustling all the time and never taking a play off. Utterback can hit a multitude of shots on the outside - hard line, <strong><em>SHARP</em></strong> cross, high hands and well executed off speeds - plus put up a solid block against the right side attack. Her back row attack is what really makes her stand out at this age; I have yet to see many OHs who can swing hard angles like her from middle back. Lastly, she can serve really deep and hard and then go all out on defense. Audrey is an absolute go-to game changer that any team would be lucky to have.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["586944"],"_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-67990990dd57a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you want to see a pin hitter who can jump out of the gym, look no further than Miss Adams. Blaine can hit effectively from either pin, oftentimes swinging OVER the block to get a kill. She has no fear when she is attacking and is certainly not intimidated by a big block, which allows her to get some monster kills both around the blockers or off of them. When she works to get deep off the net in transition, it's almost always a sure thing that a huge kill is coming next. Like Utterback, she has the ability to hit multiple shots on both pins, including line, sharp cross and high hands. Blaine can also pass and swing to hit which I saw her do efficiently quite a few times - she was calm when passing, never got aced and was comfortable going from passing to attacking. The sky is quite literally the limit with this young player.</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":"Gabriella Gilliard","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Center Grove","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='432195' first='Circle' last='City Elite']","_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-679a5d422d73a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gilliard is a new addition to this 15 Purple squad and man was she a great one! As one of two <strong>EIGHTH GRADERS(!)</strong>, Gabby will make you shake your head in disbelief that someone so young could play volleyball so darn well. This young lady is clearly gifted athletically and jumps out of the gym when she is hitting AND blocking. I am not sure what her official height is, but it doesn't matter. She plays higher than almost anyone else on the court, attacking above the block and off of it quite often. When Gabby gets the timing of her attack perfect, she absolutely CRUSHES the ball - we're talking dent the sport court, type of crushing - and can hit in multiple directions. I think her blocking ability is what will set her apart from the rest because she is very strong in her upper body and paired with her jumping skills, she has the potential to be a blocking star on either pin. Lastly, I couldn't help but notice the joy she plays with and the way she encourages her teammates at all times. She is the type of player you want to play with: talented, hard working and selfless.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["549941"],"_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-67990990dd5ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Good luck finding a RS hitter who can hit down the line as a 15-year-old like Sophie. She can take just about any set on the right pin and turn it down the line for the kill (a very advanced skill). This is a real advantage at this age because many 15s teams' defenses aren't able to practice against someone who can hit so hard and effectively down the line. Orlando also knows when to mix an off speed shot just over the block, as well as light up the seam or blast it really sharp cross court (think on the 10' line HARD). This tournament, Sophie was a blocking machine on the right side and was able to really create some hitting errors by the opponents OHs. In fact, in the championship match, the game ended on a hitting error by the OH, likely due to the blocks Sophie had earlier in the set. And because Orlando has good experience in the middle, she can also run quick sets and a slide, making her very versatile and a threat from anywhere.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545993"],"_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-67990990dd664"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Muncy really stands out to me as a blocking beast just waiting to come alive. She moves laterally well and has a long reach, allowing her to put up a big block all along the net. Opposing offenses have to set away from the one ball in the middle when Mckenna is front row because she has such a presence up at the net. She is a great M2 in terms of offense, running both the one ball and 31 very efficiently - I don't recall seeing her get blocked when I watched them play. Muncy can swing in both directions and put a ton of pace on the ball; her cut back shot on the one ball is deadly. I look for them to keep getting this young lady more involved in transition and she will add one more layer to an already potent attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["523245"],"_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-67990990dd6da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith is the M1 counterpart to Muncy and together they offer a solid one-two punch for this age group. Finley really stands out hitting the slide, running it more than any other 15s team I watched play during the tournament. This will be a huge advantage for this squad because again, like Sophie on the RS, most 15s teams don't practice against a good slide attack all that often. Smith can also run a gap and 31 effectively, keeping the opposing defense on its toes. Finley is another player on this team that just plays with a certain calmness and joy; never getting too high or too low in terms of emotions. Lastly, Smith is a MB who is a good float server and can play good defense, not allowing other teams to automatically put the ball away just because she's a defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>If you loved this article, please follow our Instagram page,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/abovethenetvolleyball">Prep Dig IN | Above The Net Volleyball</a>&nbsp;for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes action.</em></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After following our page, take the next step and&nbsp;<strong>subscribe to PrepDig</strong>! 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