First Impressions At The Early Bird, Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want a subscription to PrepDig? Use code Kyp30 for 30% off of your annual subscription! And don't forget to follow @KypPDIN on X for all of your Indiana high school and club volleyball news!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the Early Bird Shootout in the books, there were plenty of talented and athletic players to write about, so I've split up the article into two parts, alphabetically. Here are six players that caught my eye immediately during play yesterday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["572622"],"_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-6964e9538aa01"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Still big, still physical, and still a daunting force on the right side, Elena showed once again why she's a prime example of a next-level right side in her play yesterday. I'm more impressed with her ability to add to her already solid arsenal of angles and ways she can score points. It seems that every time I see her, she's doing something else that I haven't seen before. Having this ability to be coached AND actually build on her skill set is indispensable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["300206"],"_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-6964e9538aa83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Already committed to Quinnipiac, Sophia proved yesterday her All-State honors were well-earned. Able to keep the same tempo of set regardless of where the ball was passed, she found the right hitter in the right situation at the right time, and consistently ran the offense to peak performance. Of course, there were some growing pains—-common for a first tournament with new parts on the roster. I'm sure that, over time and training, Sophia will keep them together consistently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["582888"],"_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-6964e9538aad8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of setters who kept their teams together, Caitlyn was tasked with doing just that against tougher-than-last-week competition. Regardless of the score, the outcome or the result of her and her teammates' play, Miss Gutt was consistently the positive vocal force that setters need to be whether they're the captain or not. I like the fast offense, the strong hands, and the ability to defend her position. This squad will be solid by mid-March, when tournaments REALLY start getting tough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["586459"],"_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-6964e9538ab28"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stealing a win over PHP's 16U squad was a BIG early win for Ava's 16-2 squad this season, and I think the girls will look back on that match and see that the transformation from ok to great started yesterday. Ava was at the center of it all, running an offense with some newer parts and iffy passing. Her athleticism and foot speed really helped her get to a lot of passes that some other setters would have given up on, and she plays bigger than her frame because of her jumping ability, which I think is a little better than when I saw her last fall. The next time I see this squad, it will be at MEQ. If things keep changing for the positive until then, I might not even recognize her and the positive improvements she's made.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479286"],"_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-6964ecb23069e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Transferring over from Rev, Kyra's finally earned the helm of an offense as the lone setter on Circle's 18-1. Yes, she's playing up a year, and looks as competitive and determined as ever to make her mark. With high hands, an athletic build and smart decisions, Kyra's ability to keep her squad in each and every match despite some questionable passing will guide her well this season. Even while missing their top attacker, Kyra's ability to find the hot hand and stay in tempo was great to see, and bodes well for her future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["569786"],"_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-6964ecb2306f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With springs, smarts and an overall dominating presence at the net, Miss Lauck once again showed why she's one of the top middle blocking recruits in the class of 2028. She sees what's in front of her when she attacks AND blocks—-not exactly an easy trait to teach, let alone learn. Finishing second overall in 16 Open yesterday was a solid start to her club season, and it only gets better from here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->