Hoosier Bid Regionals: 18s, Pools 1 And 2 Preview

We've come to the end of February, which means it's time for regionals. The 18s division will be hosted by Empowered in Fort Wayne, and the two-day event will host 12 teams from around the state. Here is a preview of players to watch in pools 1 and 2, to be played on Saturday.    Oddly enough, a First-Team All-State setter is available at this time of year. Miss Brown has been the setter at Avon for some time now, so her relationship with winning is solid. As the 5-1 setter for 18 Black at Circle, she's more than capable of running the show, and defends her position better than most. In short, she's a plug-and-play setter for the fall of '25, and no, you can't convince me otherwise. You can find her setting the #1 seed in the regional tournament on court 1 at 1pm Saturday.     As a junior playing up a year, Miss Hoban is a solid three-rotation DS with some experience wearing the special jersey at the high school level. I'm impressed with her level of pursuit and relentlessness on defense, as she covers blocks better than most and will have no problem sacrificing her body to keep a ball in play. The work ethic is there, the technique is refined and she's more than capable of playing any of the three back row positions. Also with Circle's 18 Black squad, you can find her on court 1 in the early afternoon.     Playing bigger than her frame might suggest, Marlee is a physical M2 with aspirations of playing at the next level. Her long arms help a ton on hitting angles around and over blocks, while her footwork gets her to where she's going by using long strides. I like her ability to change her shot-making ability throughout a match, as someone her size will need that skill at the next level. Also on court 1 on Saturday, she starts at 2pm.     As a three-rotation DS for TP's 18 black squad, Taylor is exceptional at reactionary defense and block coverage. With solid footwork, a wide base and a quiet platform, Taylor will be a nice three-rotation pickup for anyone needing to strengthen their DS stable at the next level.     Filled with younger talent, NIVA's 18 Black squad has a pair of long and lean attackers in the class of '26. Ava uses her physicality wisely and powers through undisciplined blocks with ease. Looking at her footwork recently, she might also fit as a three-rotation right side option if that's what you're looking for. Hitting high and hard is Miss Boals' calling card, so a lot of tool shots are in her arsenal. Defensively, she's a little narrow for the next level, but can make an adjustment in this club season with a little more training and focus on blocking.     A recent transfer over from Dunes, Miss Kipp has also moved from the middle to the outside to better accommodate her skill set. Long and lean for days, Evelyn has the potential for a high attack point, and probably needs a little seasoning in the jump training area of her workouts. For now, however, you can't teach 6', and her length is definitely her strength when going against opposing attackers on one of the pins. You can find her on court 1 on Saturday afternoon.     Tough and physical, Soren jumps well, has length for days and does all parts of her position at an above-average level. Playing up a year, she's more than capable of holding her own, and should have a prime opportunity to advance her squad to earn a bid to GJNC's. For now, she's a great choice for a plug-and-play M2, with a sprinkling here and there showing her ability to be the top middle on any roster. On Saturday at 1p, you can find Miss Sculati on court 2.     Capable of hitting from either pin at this level, Addy has the arm swing and physicality to hammer away on the right side. I like her ability to hit all angles with pace, as right sides need to have that termination gene in their DNA no matter where the ball is set. Realistically, she might be a little short for right side play for a larger school, so think of her as a small-school option. Addy is on court 2 as well, starting at 2p.     Although listed as a right side for us, Sophia is more of a hybrid attacker---she can use three rotations as an attacker in the front while setting when she's in the back row. I like her set placement at this level; her ability to set might make her that much more of a recruitable asset to any program who could use a multi-skilled player. You can see her do her thing on court 2 at 2p.     Yet another example of a hybrid setter, Miss Langford can set while in the back row while attacking from the front. In my opinion, she's more of a setter. Her hands are high, accurate and quick, while her well-trained footwork gets her to the ball each and every time. As an attacker, her attack touch isn't quite where it needs to be to attack on a regular basis at the next level, but she is serviceable to attack when needed in a pinch. You can find her on court 2 at 1p on Saturday.     As an all-conference 5-1 setter at Richmond High School, Madi is most likely projecting to be a three-rotation setter at the collegiate level. NAIA programs will love her, as she's the glue for a roster in need of a defensive setter who locates the ball well and does the little things to win. Additionally, her footwork is well-trained, and should have little problem adjusting to the speed and toughness required at the next level.

We've come to the end of February, which means it's time for regionals. The 18s division will be hosted by Empowered in Fort Wayne, and the two-day event will host 12 teams from around the state. Here is a preview of players to watch in pools 1 and 2, to be played on Saturday.