Going Gauntlet | Team Profile: Circle City 17 Purple

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig has a growing presence in the competition space with several branded tournaments offering great competition and overall experience. The "Prep Dig Gauntlet" is a marquee event annually and one that continues to increase in strength of competing teams, some of the best regionally and nationally across multiple age groups and divisions. This year's event takes place June 6-7 in Menomonee Falls, WI. Stay connected to PD as several teams will be profiled in preparation for this banger of a tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team Profile: 1st Alliance 17 Silver</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gauntlet Division:</strong> 17 Elite</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USAV Region:</strong> Hoosier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USAV Qualified Division: </strong>17 National</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key 2026 Results:</strong> Central Zone (3rd, 17 Open); Nike President's Day Classic (5th; 17 Open); Boston NQ (23rd, 17 Open); MEQ (14th, 17 Open); Show Me NQ (17th, 17 Open); Indy Cup (2nd; 17/18 Open)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> This team has qualified for the USAV GJNC in the 17 National division with some of the best success happening in their most recent event as they earned a second place finish at Indy Cup with a 6-1 overall record. The feature some of the top athletes in Indiana in the 2027 class as several have announced their commitments. This team is led by the top pin in the state and the #2 ranked Prep Dig 2027 Indiana prospect in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260995' first='Caroline' last='Ward']</strong> (*pictured). Committed to SMU, Ward is 6'1 is well known as she frequently highlights the lot she has to offer the next level. An AVCA all-American and participant in the U17 NTDP with USA Volleyball, she can simply rise and hammer from anywhere on the court. Also a key part of this team is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='327227' first='Hayden' last='Mandsager']</strong>, who can provide the right side balance to Ward. Also 6'1, she is terminal through high contact with force while also providing impact on the defensive side with her blocking. Ranked #10 in Indiana by Prep Dig, she is committed to Ball State. Heading to UCF is #17 ranked setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435850' first='Anabelle' last='Schembra']</strong>, a 5'9 distributor with quickness, deception, and full offensive tools in her tempo and location. Also committed to Division I and Valparaiso is middle blocker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443864' first='Chloe' last='Moss']</strong>. Ranked #22, Moss is a dynamic athlete as she can rise, hang, and deliver with her arm. Princeton in the Ivy League will get <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828327' first='Milana' last='Mays']</strong>, a 6'2 middle ranked #27. Akron will get DS/L prospect <strong>Taylor Donovan</strong>. Below are four prospects on this team that are currently uncommitted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='514355' first='Savannah' last='Brock']</strong> - DS/L<br>Brock is an effective passer as there is effecient quality in her footwork and command of her platform. She reacts well with quickness in her shuffle and pursuit while getting stopped and balance to create the right angles to deliver the ball at a high rating. Defensively, she is stopped and ready, expecting to have to play the ball, which can be key to the type of transition offense they can operate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435859' first='Everly' last='Clark']</strong> - OH/DS<br>Clark has a solid skill foundation as she is an active piece to their ball control and defense. She tracks point flow well to get herself prepared to pursue and dig the ball. Her reaction includes a quick first step while she also displays good range with her emergency skills to keep the ball up. Clark can also go through the front row on the outside. At 5'9, she can hold her own at the net with good blocking mechanics to slow the ball down while having arm control to swing with movement and range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435863' first='Jenna' last='Dittmer'] </strong>- OH<br>Dittmer is a six-rotation pin who can contribute to this team's effort in different ways. As a 5'9 hitter, she can apply good force to the ball that has pace from her speedy bow and arrow and torque. At the top of her jump, she can tag it well to swing through space or challenge the block effectively. Her first-touch tools help provide depth in this phase while her physical frame as a defender helps increase her range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807887' first='Callie' last='Gibson']</strong> - OH<br>Gibson is ranked #30 in Indiana. The Brownsburg product has high impact potential as 5'10 pin each time she steps on the court. She swings with a big arm that can generate power to thwart a defense by how she can take care of the ball and make it tough to handle for the opponent when she's on time and in rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->