Indy Cup Wrap Up: Saturday Attackers I Liked At Capitol

Want a discount off of your registration to our summer Stock Up Showcase? Use code KypDig2025 at checkout!   I spent the great majority of my weekend at Capitol Sports Center, home of Circle City, for their annual and almost year-ending tournament, which seemingly gets bigger every year. The level of play from multiple states and multiple in-state clubs was the highest I've seen since I became a scout at PD. To empty my notebook, here are some of the attackers I saw.    As a big and physical lefty, Elena can take over a match both offensively and defensively. Her size alone is hard to handle at this age group, and she should be getting stronger and faster from here, which is SCARY. One thing I noted---it's one thing to be big and constantly try to hit low and bounce the ball. Elena took a ton of solid swings throughout the match I saw and a high attack point, making the block look smaller than it actually was.     Easily the highest jumper for her squad, I watched Amaya be a three-rotation outside, and she did well. She's still learning the aspects of hitting balls with pace out-of-system, and I'm sure that with a little bit of time she will develop her ball control more (she was three-ro this weekend, I doubt she's had a chance to pass much) and become a more complete player. For now, that jumping ability and natural athleticism cannot be taught, and that should carry her well into her sophomore year in the fall.     Speaking of big right sides, Addyson is a physical presence on every point and must be accounted for on both offense and defense. I like her high and heavy attack, as she blasted kills off of undisciplined blocks regularly throughout the weekend. On the block, her broad shoulders take up space and make it easy for the middle next to her to close. Overall, Miss Dean might turn into one of the top right sides south of I-70 by the time she graduates. Her overall understanding of what she can do, coupled with her strength and size, is already overwhelming the competition.     I have WAY undervalued this young lady. Kennadie can do a little of everything from BOTH pins, as well as be a complete six-rotation outside. Her size isn't the issue here---what's a bigger issue is how she might be recruited, as different coaches will see her do different things and "pigeon-hole" her. Let's hope that's not the case, because if you're at this age already doing a little of everything at a high level, it deserves to be showcase---all of it. I'm impressed with how Miss Arthur played on Saturday when I saw her, and hope she'll continue on that upward trajectory.     The #1 recruit for the class of '26, a Louisville commit, left no doubt on Saturday when attacking, blocking, and even serving. Speaking of that serve, since the last time I saw her, she's developed a tough hybrid jump serve that gave fits to multiple teams over the weekend. How is it that she can actually get BETTER from just a month or two ago? It's great to see this kid not rest on her laurels---an average player would have taken time off. Elli just stays in the gym and develops her game even more.     Kaylyn's knee injury a few years ago changed her recruitment. It happens. Did that stop her from being a 6-ro right side? Nope. Signing with D2 Southwestern Oklahoma State, Kaylyn will be an asset for the Bulldogs from the get-go. She can receive serve well to take pressure off of the outsides. She can attack and block on either pin. She serves tough and accurately on a regular basis. Oh, and by the way, she's a state champ to boot. I'm so proud of the resiliency of Miss Christy, and it was a pleasure getting to cover her over her career AND, with a little luck, get to see more of her successes as her career continues.     Rose, who recently committed to Ohio, continued her heavy-hitting and full-go mentality with her play on Saturday. As one of two committed pin hitters on this team, it's easy to see immediately how Rose and her squad are the Hoosier Region champs. In Miss Mahin's case, she hits a heavy ball, which is hard to defend, receives serve at an above-average level, and does everything she needs to do well. Already jumping past ten feet, it's hard to believe that she'll get even stronger from here.     Watching Merritt play is a trick of the eyes. She's lithe, calm, and unassuming---until the first whistle blows. The Ball State commit changes character once play begins, and hits one of the heaviest balls in this class. She repeatedly hammered away at blocks, defenses, and anyone else that got in the way of scoring points. No flash, no "look at me" mentality---just playing to win on every point, every time. This is a huge pick-up for the Cardinals, getting an in-state hammer from HSE.     From unassuming (Merritt) to fiery, Karen brings the intense energy her squad needs from the moment she's in until the last whistle blows. Whether it's a block, a timely kill, or just a hustle play, Miss Dutro will do something little that will lead to points on the scoreboard for her team. Athletic and fast, Karen's ability to attack in front of or behind the setter has been her calling card for years, and she's looking every bit of the complete player that Butler wants in the fall of '26.     A class of '27 kid playing up on the 17 National representative from Indiana, Hayden is a full-time right side, and even sprinkled in some serve receive on Saturday, in which she held her own. Since the last time I saw her play live, she's sped up her transition footwork, solidified her blocking technique, and found multiple angles to attack with on the right pin. Her development has justified her ranking, so seeing her live and actually DO the things better than the last time I saw her is a pleasant surprise.

Want a discount off of your registration to our summer Stock Up Showcase? Use code KypDig2025 at checkout!