Celebrating Winners: Hoosier Regionals, 17U

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!   Of the age groups participating in Hoosier Regionals this past weekend, none had more high level play that the 17U division. You can easily send five teams from this division to GJNCs here Indy this summer, and all would be highly competitive on the national stage. Victors of this division earned the national bid, but I have a feeling that Pineapple HP's 17U squad have an open bid coming to them on the horizon. Here are a few key players and a couple of under-the-radar studs that will make some team happy when they graduate.    The stalwart bookend to all first contacts for this squad, Cala is clearly the best passer in the class of ‘28. You wouldn't know from watching her, but she's playing up a year and playing some of the toughest competition available to her this spring. As the tournament turned from Saturday to Sunday, things were made much simpler and play was kept in-system on her side much more because of her mere presence, let alone the value she brings in all aspects of being a libero at the next level.     Strictly used as a setter on this roster, this Dwenger product is a solid choice for the next level for multiple reasons. First, her location is spot on in every situation and in every tempo. Her defensive and overall volleyball IQ allow her to make her teammates better, and she's doing it all as a largely “undersized” leader of the pack. Fully capable of running a 5-1 at the next level, the effect that she had in the 17U final was apparent from 0-0, and she stayed calm while Circle's 17s pressed the issue. With strong hands and solid athletic acuity, she knows who she is—-a hybrid setter that can do every part of this game well in every situation.     Also playing up a year on this squad is three-rotation DS Kyla. Her impact on a match in a part-time role makes a major difference and takes the pressure off of her fellow passers, especially the outsides. Just like in high school season, Kyla's serve got tougher as the finals were in the closing stages, and she kept Circle out-of-system for the entire run of her serves in set two. Realistically, she could be a libero on any other squad, but chose this one for the winning, the training and the constant high-level play will make Miss Hurley one of the more attractive DS recruits in the class of ‘28.     Used sparingly as a middle on this roster, Rhianna is an athletic FREAK. She made major impacts when she was in the game, and her approach touch is easily the highest on this team. Still learning to refine the attacking portion of her game, knowing you don't have to train the transition and footwork part of her game is a bonus. As a blocker, she presses well across the net against any and all attackers, and is a problem for opponents because of her high-end athleticism.     Committed to Loyola, Elli's ability to hammer away at undisciplined blocks, terminate at will in a fast offense, and be an overall stud in all aspects of the game she clearly loves playing. Do not underestimate her size—-Elli is a bulldog of a fighter once the first whistle blows, and her 100% effort and attitude doesn't stop until the last whistle. As the final was going on, Elli was the clear consistent attacker that constantly scored points for her side, and did all of the little things that don't show up in a stat sheet just as well.

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!