Quick Takes From An Electric Day In Crown Point

This was my first Indiana high school volleyball experience.  And it did not disappoint.  Covering volleyball throughout the Midwest, I’m able to see some amazing athletes through the club circuit, but I always say “There is something different about high school sports.” From wearing your school jersey, to seeing your teammates everyday, student sections, deciding whats on your pregame playlist, to balancing school work, a social life, and the other events that are just part of high school.  Here are a few takes from my day at the Crown Point Tournament where I was in a groove.  I was able to evaluate, take photos, do some social media, and enjoy a great day of volleyball.  

Great day at Crown Point! Plenty of talent at the @cp_volleyball Tournament. Full album of the main court on our Prep Dig Facebook page! @bhsdogs https://t.co/heYFiZxrP7 pic.x.com/hFC1lzT2Uk

— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 15, 2021

The Facilities - Amazing

I have been to my fair share of high schools over the years and Crown Point is one of the nicer facilities I have ever seen.  Growing up in small-town Iowa, I think my entire town would have fit in the gym, but the details within from the signage of all the team successes in all sports, to the layout was amazing.  Again, I only saw a small part of this school being around the main gym, but well done, very impressive! 

Working Through NW Indiana and Chicago Clubs

With our state by state model at Prep Dig, we sometimes duplicate athletes or miss athletes when they play club and high school in two different states (we are still working on improving our process).  This past Saturday was a great way to get to see plenty of athletes who prep at NW Indiana High Schools and play club in Illinois, most likely at 1st Alliance, Epic, and Michio.  I will be tagging Illinois and Indiana for athletes who crossover for club and high school both sides of the stateline can see the content.  

Kendall Meller Kendall Meller 6'2" | OH Brownsburg | 2022 State #124 Nation IN of @BHSvolleydogs continues to cause havoc at the net. Exciting athlete to watch! The overall team defense for this squad is on point pic.x.com/NQyXSuA18Q

— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 14, 2021

The Indianapolis Influence

I do not know much about Indianapolis high schools, but it didn’t take long (and a Google Map search) to see where these high schools were coming from.  I was able to see Plainfield, Brownsburg, and Cathedral on the main court.  There were athletes who I knew I saw in club, but it’s amazing what a different jersey can do to play tricks on you.  Athletes from Circle City and Munciana came into clear vision and later confirmed after double-checking rosters while also seeing their ability on the court speak for itself.  Ava Utterback Ava Utterback 5'10" | OH Plainfield | 2024 State #24 Nation IN was jumping out of the gym, the 2024 pin hitter from Plainfield/Circle City was flying real high.  She jumped onto the scene for me at Central Zone at the beginning of 2021 and her improvement from an athleticism and physicality standpoint is very evident with how she can move and jump, very exciting.  2022 Colorado commit, Kendall Meller Kendall Meller 6'2" | OH Brownsburg | 2022 State #124 Nation IN of Brownsburg is the type of player every team needs on their court.  She can attack from both pins, an extremely physical blocker, and can really ignite her teammates with how she plays the game - love it.  

Rossman to Schara for @cp_volleyball - a combination heard plenty of times. CP goes 2-0 against Plainfield pic.x.com/i0JUb7Scj6

— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 14, 2021

D1 Players Casually Everywhere

I think every team I watched on the main court had a Division 1 commit or a player who will most likely commit to a Division 1 school.  Overall, there were plenty of college level players for every team.  If you are competing at this level of competition among the ranked teams in Indiana’s largest class, you can find a place to play volleyball after high school.  Haley Melby Haley Melby 6'1" | OH Munster | 2022 State #93 Nation IN of Munster will head to Iowa, Crown Point has Kendall Schara Kendall Schara 5'8" | OH Crown Point | 2022 State IN committed to Green Bay and Rachel Rossman Rachel Rossman 5'9" | S Crown Point | 2022 State #189 Nation IN to Oakland, they will go from a solid setter/outside hitter combo to conference rivals in the Horizon League.  Meghan Gaffigan Meghan Gaffigan 6'0" | OH Chesterton | 2022 State IN of Chesterton is an athletic pin who will head to the Ivy League and play for Cornell.  Meller of Brownsburg was the top athlete in the gym.  Her presence in every aspect of the game is tough to measure.  And lets not forget about future Big Ten basketball commit, Lilly Stoddard, who is a top five Class of 2022 prospect from our sister site at Prep Girls Hoops Indiana. 

Rossman to Schara for @cp_volleyball - a combination heard plenty of times. CP goes 2-0 against Plainfield pic.x.com/i0JUb7Scj6

— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 14, 2021

What Happens From Here? 

I will be keeping tabs on teams I see live.  Over the next two months I will see top teams from Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and possibly some Minnesota.  For college and club coaches who are busy preparing for their seasons, we got you covered with the players who are committed and ones who need to be on the radar.  No quiet period here.  Thank you Crown Point for an amazing day of volleyball.  I’ll be back!

A few highlights from @cp_volleyball tournament to start the 2021 high school volleyball season! pic.x.com/BCckJyt3VD

— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 15, 2021