Players to Watch at PD Indy Open 17/18 Division

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A total of 27 teams will partake in this divison at [program_tooltip program_id='431521' first='The' last='Academy Volleyball Club'] in Indianapolis on Saturday and Sunday. The top six seeds are Valkyries 18 Elite, NUF 18 Black, Boilers Junior 16O Gold, Monon 16-1O Pegasus, Integrity Elite 18U and the Rising Heights 18-1 team. These four players will be ones to keep eyes on throughout the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484315"],"_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-69f57e3278ed7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Travis came into the club season with plenty of experience at the setter spot and has only improved more, especially working with the talented hitters on the 17 Black team. Travis executes a variety of sets including back sets. She mixes in deceptive set-overs. Her lean on the sets has dropped dramatically as the season has progressed. Her quick hands will make her more difficult to read come fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603333"],"_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-69f57e3278f72"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Opponents know a lot of balls are going her direction considering her size and great connection with setter [player_tooltip player_id='756992' first='Matti' last='Deopere']. However, they still have a hard time stopping her because of her quick arm swing, high vertical and ability to spray balls all over the court. Lanz continuously slows balls down making it easier on back row players to dig them up and blocks a number of them with her sound timing. She finds ways to better balls each time she takes the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730345"],"_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-69f580be57fa2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">LePage (pictured) does a great job controlling things in the back row with consistent first touches after transitioning from outside to defensive specialist. LePage has a great platform on defense. LePage consistently squares her body up to the target then makes pristine passes. LePage does not hesitate to swings arms to the sides to pick up balls. LePage has quick, displaying the ability to adjust to deflected balls. She can lunge down to pick up well-struck balls and keep plays alive. LePage makes quality out of system passes and has a tough jump float serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["910652"],"_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-69f580be5800a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Damer is tough to defend with a great combination of size and vertical jump. She makes great decisions on the court, mixing in hard and off shots. Her vertical also comes in handy on blocks, helping her control the net. Damer has consistently found ways to better balls during club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from the Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for two years and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky rankings, please email Mike at michaelgraham@prepdig.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount on yearly subscriptions, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->