What Early Bird 15U Teams Should Be On Your Radar?

<!-- 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>We spent a little time last month modifying the rankings per class, yet that doesn't seem like a deep enough dive, does it? This weekend's Early Bird Shootout is a nice, one-day start to the club season for a great number of club teams, covering over 20 courts in central Indiana just on Sunday. Today's article will focus on four teams playing in the 15s division that should use Sunday as a springboard for the remainder of the club season. Here they are, in alphabetical order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Academy 15 Venom</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The eleven members of this roster, and the positions that are represented (according to their roster online), lead me to believe that this team does its best work running as a 6-2. The first contact will most likely come from libero <strong>Kennedy Wainscott</strong> of Cathedral. With solid footwork and a calm platform, she should do just fine, and might need to cover a bit more ground in serve receive once the season gets further into February. Setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='764948' first='Karly' last='Lowes']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='733548' first='Emerie' last='Tester']</strong> both have exceptional hands and locate the ball well for the great number of attackers at their disposal. Speaking of those attackers, there are FIVE pin players listed, and all have strength, athleticism and quickness that isn't normally seen from this many players on the same team in the same age group. <strong>Olivia Bryan</strong> is the lefty thumper that also sets a little at Indian Creek. <strong>Lydia Deckard</strong> can terminate from anywhere. <strong>Ella Moeller</strong> is a springy middle for her New Palestine squad, but should see some pin attacking this spring to take advantage of her jumping ability. <strong>Jaslene Newhard</strong> and <strong>Izabella Rice</strong> both bring an element of size to the fray, and will be tough to defend and attack against. Speaking of size, the middles for this crew will be tough from the start. <strong>Gia Wolf</strong> might be the most explosive of the bunch. <strong>Natalie Schlumpf</strong> brings an athletic fit to the position of middle. <strong>Jentry Barringer</strong> can do a little of everything a middle needs to do at their 15-open level of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 15 Purple</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another roster with 11, yet this one is clearly running a 5-1 with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850509' first='Honor' last='Durham']</strong> at the helm. Her quickness, athleticism and accurate location of each and every set will keep this squad in a lot of matches that they might have ultimately lost last spring. Defenders <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='546223' first='Evie' last='Ellis'], [player_tooltip player_id='884193' first='Norah' last='Bell'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='883459' first='Sophia' last='Gooch']</strong> are the best collection of three defenders of any 15s team this Sunday. Each can wear the libero jersey at any time, and can cover a ton of ground on defense and serve receive. The middles have a pair that are “young sophomores” in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='745492' first='DeAsia' last='John'] </strong>and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='546224' first='Allison' last='Bourff'].</strong> Both have size and athleticism for days, and will give fits to smaller blockers regularly. Speaking of size, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753655' first='Ainsley' last='Sauder']</strong> has length that makes her look taller than she is, and will be a tough defensive out this weekend. The pin players are an interesting mix of athleticism, size, volleyball acuity and skill. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='546218' first='Anna' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='924211' first='Alli' last='Keel'], Taylor Noris</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='924213' first='Addison' last='Sholtey']</strong> should all make major contributions this spring, and all can terminate from both pins regularly hitting all angles needed to keep defenses guessing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PHP 15U</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pineapple High Performance, after their storied success last spring with their inaugural three teams, have expanded to five with the addition of a 15U and a 14U squad. All five will do just fine this spring with their elite level of play. Setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='879810' first='Emma' last='Frisinger'] </strong>and <strong>Erika Shimasaki</strong> could legitimately run either a 6-2 or a 5-1 at this open level of 15s, and run it well. Their accuracy, well-trained footwork and in-game knowledge make them two of the best in the class. Pin attackers <strong>Elayna Finefrock, Avery Sebastian</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='898144' first='Harper' last='Setser']</strong> are all dynamic, athletic and fast, and should give fits to opposing defenses that lack discipline and control. <strong>Liah McCarter</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='879813' first='Amy' last='Schultz']</strong> are two big and physical middles that have a size and strength advantage over most of the middles they'll go against this spring. With a few other additions on the roster from both Michigan and Ohio, this team looks primed for deep runs in multiple tournaments this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Union 15 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of squads with multiple states represented, Union's teams are all a combination of Indiana and Kentucky. This 15s team is no different, but this group has seven from the Hoosier side. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='847862' first='Rylie' last='Neal']</strong> is the best-known name on this roster, and is quite an accomplished setter for her position and her graduating class. She's one we're keeping a close eye on as her recruitment begins. Defenders <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='848569' first='Khloe' last='Blackwell']</strong> (Columbus North), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881818' first='Brooke' last='Brohm']</strong> (Providence) and <strong>Anniston Windell</strong> (Corydon Central) should anchor a defense that looks stout on paper. Seeing them mesh together in real-time will be the sink-or-swim results this squad will earn this spring. Attackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880671' first='Cescily' last='Linderman'], Maddox Malone</strong> and <strong>Claire Crawford</strong> represent Silver Creek and Floyd Central well, and will be tasked with the great majority of the offense as the spring begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->