Windy City 18s: American Division Hoosiers To Watch
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Qualifier season is here! Over the next couple of days, we will be looking at teams from Indiana that will be attending the 18s qualifier in Schaumburg, Illinois (Chicago suburb) to go get that bid to 18s nationals in Columbus,…
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Continue ReadingQualifier season is here! Over the next couple of days, we will be looking at teams from Indiana that will be attending the 18s qualifier in Schaumburg, Illinois (Chicago suburb) to go get that bid to 18s nationals in Columbus, Ohio in April. Two teams from northern Indiana dot this team list, with players and some commitments sprinkled in there. We’ll also add what court and what time on Saturday that team starts.
Ignite 18 Elite, Court 18 at 0800 on Saturday
Although this roster has a few commitments already locked up for the coming fall, there are a couple of kids worth mentioning that are available. Abigail Opilka Abigail Opilka 5'7" | S Hanover Central | 2023 IN (’23, 5-7 S, Hanover Central) will run the show for this team as its 5-1 setter. She’s fully capable of running a 5-1 or a 6-2 at any level, and should find a home sooner rather than later. I also like three-sport stud Alexa Page Iwema Alexa Page Iwema 5'11" | OH Lake Central | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-10 OH, Lake Central), a strong and physical outside that dominates in softball as well. Two committed seniors on this roster, Lexi Cripe Lexi Cripe 5'9" | OH South Newton | 2023 IN (’23, 5-9 OH, Kentucky Wesleyan commit) and Brianne Salinas Brianne Salinas 6'0" | MB Lake Central | 2023 IN (’23, 6-0 MB, Malone commit) are two solid Division II attackers that will have to carry the majority of the offense on day one to stay in the upper half of the draw for Sunday.
NIVA 18 Purple, Court 13 at 1600 on Saturday
Another team looking to make waves in the American division this weekend has a ton of available talent, but only one kid committed. Emma Fleck Emma Fleck 5'7" | S New Prairie | 2023 State IN (’23, 5-7 S, College of Wooster commit) is the definite 5-1 setter to make this squad go, with a ton of big and physical talent around her. Hannah Teich Hannah Teich 6'1" | MB Elkhart | 2023 IN (’23, 6-1 MB, Elkhart) is a future M2 who excels at two-footed attacks and can take up space on the block. Kate Trueblood Kate Trueblood 6'0" | MB Penn | 2023 State IN (’23, 6-0 MB, Penn) is an M1 through-and-through, and can terminate either behind or in front of the setter with ease. Emily Adams Emily Adams 5'10" | OH Mishawaka | 2023 IN (’23, 5-10 OH/MB/RS, Mishawaka) is a springy athlete that has played all three front row positions, can attack from all three, and should give fits to defenders because of her abilities to do so.