Indianapolis Homeschool Talent on the Recruiting Radar

The path to college volleyball doesn't always run through a traditional high school gym. Around the country, and here in Indiana, many homeschool athletes are putting together the kind of performances that deserve attention from college coaches. Competing outside the traditional high school volleyball structure, these players bring a mix of athleticism, skill and upside, including high level academics—and several have the potential to continue their careers at the next level.    [player_tooltip player_id='780692' first='Gia' last='Stanley'] is an exceptionally competitive DS/L whose defensive effort and court awareness immediately stand out. She will put her body on the line for virtually any ball, whether digging a powerful swing from a D1-caliber attacker or laying out to keep a well-placed tip alive. Just as impressive is her ability to anticipate the play—Stanley consistently seems to be in the right position to give herself a chance at making the play. That combination of instincts, toughness, and relentless pursuit gives her the foundation to develop into a valuable collegiate libero, particularly for a D3 or NAIA program looking for a defender who brings energy and competitiveness to every rally.     Campbell Burkhart may be undersized at outside hitter, but she plays with the confidence and attacking range of a much bigger pin. She isn't intimidated by a large block and can attack aggressively while also recognizing and exploiting the open court, with the ability to hit line, sharp cross, deep corners, or tip when the situation calls for it. Her value extends into the back row, where her improved back-row attack has become a legitimate scoring threat and her middle-back defense is reliable. Continued growth in serve receive, along with developing her attack from the right side, could give Burkhart multiple pathways to contribute at the next level as an OH or DS.     Listed at 5'11", Emersyn Ruhl plays with the presence and confidence of a much bigger middle. Her blocking is the standout feature of her game, particularly against opposing middles, as she reads the setter well, gets established early, and consistently puts herself in position to take away the one and three ball. Ruhl's blocking fundamentals and discipline give her a strong foundation, while improved lateral quickness would help her close more effectively on pin attackers. Offensively, she projects as an M2 who can terminate both the one and three ball, while also showing the ability to swing from the pin when needed. Her deep float serve gives her another weapon from the service line and adds value to an already well-rounded skill set.     At 6'0", Kennedi Buck offers a valuable combination of size, positional versatility, and ball control as an MB/OH. Her ability to play multiple positions and attack effectively from anywhere—especially in a quick offense—gives coaches plenty of flexibility in how they can use her. She can score with a sharp cross-body shot or a controlled hard-driven ball into open space, but her passing and ball-control skills may be her biggest recruiting asset, allowing her to stay on the court in more than one role. Buck also brings high-level energy and genuine passion for the sport, and that combination of versatility, technical skill, and competitiveness gives her a strong foundation for the college game.     Addy Boyer is the youngest player in this group, but her freshman status is about the only thing that makes her look young on the court. An elite athlete with a rapidly developing physical profile, Boyer can jump out of the gym and moves with exceptional quickness for a middle, allowing her to close blocks laterally and get off the floor quickly in transition. She is already one of the strongest freshman blockers I've seen, with the ability to completely shut down opposing hitters when she gets established. Right now she projects as an M2, but her athleticism gives her the tools to develop a slide attack and expand her offensive role. The next step will be refining her arm swing and learning to fully extend at contact so she can turn that enormous vertical into an ability to attack over the block. With her athletic ceiling and three more years of development ahead, the upside is significant.     Freeney is a senior headed to Wheaton who plays with the mentality of a true nerd of the game. She is constantly reading and reacting, communicating with teammates, and directing traffic on the court—a reflection of the experience she has accumulated through years of volleyball. Freeney is a relentless competitor who never takes a point off, while her passing is a major strength, particularly when she controls the ball with her platform rather than her hands. She adds value from the service line with a deep float that she can mix with a short serve, and she covers plenty of ground defensively without giving up on a play. If she can continue improving her ability to stay stopped through hitter contact, Freeney has the tools to compete for meaningful defensive minutes early in her career at Wheaton.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you loved this article, please follow my Instagram page, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/abovethenetvolleyball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Above The Net Volleyball</a> for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes action.</h3>   After following our page, take the next step and subscribe to PrepDig! 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The path to college volleyball doesn't always run through a traditional high school gym. Around the country, and here in Indiana, many homeschool athletes are putting together the kind of performances that deserve attention from college coaches. Competing outside the traditional high school volleyball structure, these players bring a mix of athleticism, skill and upside, including high level academics—and several have the potential to continue their careers at the next level.