Windy City Jumpers And Thumpers: Hoosiers Playing 16s On Easter

The Windy City National Qualifier in Chicago always plays on Easter, so what better way to feature "jumpers and thumpers" that through this preview series. Of the six athletes listed, they play for four different rosters and two different divisions (16 Liberty and 16 American). In no particular order, here they are, with aspirations on raising their recruitment profile because of the unique abilities they bring to the 900 square feet.    Big and physical, Kayliyah is a strong M2 that hammers the ball through her hitting zone with a whip of any arm. It's not often you see a middle do that in this age group, yet here we are. She can also take over a match by the space she eats up on the block, making attacking against her quite difficult. Her long arms and broad shoulders make her look bigger than her 6'1" frame might otherwise indicate, making her all the more recruitable for the next level.     Springy and athletic, Kyah's undersized frame will not prepare you for her jumping ability. With the athleticism to sky over pin blockers and use her speed to beat the bigger middles, Miss Hart can terminate at will, and would probably be higher on this list if she were three inches taller. Also adept on defense, Kyah looks the part of a small-school six-rotation outside.     A lefty right side found on KeAloha's 16-2, Molly is a tool-swinging and smart right side that rarely makes errors and finds ways to turn an out-of-system set into points for her squad. I don't see her as much of a middle at the next level, as her size and jumping ability look far more suited for a pin position at a small school at the next level. Nevertheless, Molly's volleyball IQ is high, as she has everything in her attacking arsenal from a smart roll shot to a high and hard attack to a tool swing that automatically scores points.     Also undersized on the same KeAloha 16-2 squad, Miss Snyder is quick and athletic and can couple as a three rotation DS at the next level. She knows who she is, and plays within those parameters---a ball-control outside that can score when needed and produces few errors. Although her net defense might be a bit on the small side, the positives she brings to the court are custom-made for next-level small school play.     Sage has the tools and the talent to be an M2 at the next level. Her long arms patrol the net well, and is aggressive with any overpasses that come her way. I'd like to see a quicker arm on her attack, as that will start separating her from the crowd of 5'10"-to-6' middles that are found all over Indiana. In transition, her footwork is measured, so seeing some faster feet when attacking will also be key in her development for the remainder of this club season.     Yet another undersized and Uber-talented outside from northern Indiana, Serenity is springy, fast and has every shot in the book at her disposal. On floor defense, her left-back play is quick, reactionary and accurate, while her transition from pass to attack has all the makings of next level play. Her fast arm also helps her score points for her team, and she does a lot with a little---more often than not, I've seen her terminate balls that look completely out-of-system. To know what to do when the set isn't perfect is hard to teach, and she's already figuring it out as a sophomore.

The Windy City National Qualifier in Chicago always plays on Easter, so what better way to feature "jumpers and thumpers" that through this preview series. Of the six athletes listed, they play for four different rosters and two different divisions (16 Liberty and 16 American). In no particular order, here they are, with aspirations on raising their recruitment profile because of the unique abilities they bring to the 900 square feet.