Central Zone Invitational Preview: 15 Open

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the tri-state area's best young prep talent will be competing in Indy this weekend in one of the best competitive fields this tournament has ever seen. Here are some of the top 15U teams from the area taking part.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mintonette m.51</strong><br>The 2022 14 Open national champs should enter every event as a favorite and top seed this club season. This weekend is the follow-up to an opportunity to see them play at the Early Bird event a few weekends ago. As they competed against both 15U and 16U teams there with great success, this coming weekend brings together some of the best 15U teams in the tri-state area that also should fair well on the national scene. The arms of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227803' first='Layla' last='Hoying']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192132' first='Sara' last='Snowbarger']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227807' first='Mackenzie' last='Palumbo']</strong> will provide a lot of offense all season but don't have to work through high volume given the presence in the middle of <strong>Isabelle</strong> <strong>Thomas</strong>. Their efficiency is a strength as is the distribution and balance of in-tempo opportunities that setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227802' first='Mallory' last='Matheny']</strong> can create. Take a look at this time and try to identify a weakness. It is tough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last='']' last=''] 15 Tony</strong><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227623' first='Ella' last='Grimes']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='195210' first='Rachel' last='Morgan']</strong> are solid in the back row for this team as the duo anchors their ball control and defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227619' first='Makenna' last='Kirlin']</strong> is the primary setter that did a good job last season getting this offense to produce from all locations and with good tempo. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227617' first='Cara' last='Richter']</strong> is one of the best arms in this class in Ohio and can elevate and bring big power. Offensive support will be found in <strong>Sydney Sprada</strong>, a big jumper with a nice arm that also can apply a lot of pressure at the service line with a big jump serve. Middle<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='403521' first='Grace' last='Herzog']</strong> continues to grow her skill set by improving her footwork and movement patterns that better support the big arm she can create in the air. Fellow middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='392780' first='Sydney' last='Geselbracht']</strong> has some of the best length on this team and returns to again be productive on both sides of the ball. This team has good tools and can compete with anyone with their defense and offensive production they are capable throughout their roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NKYVC 15-1 Tsunami</strong><br>This team competed well all last season and returns in tact and with some added experience given some of the high performing high school programs many of them come from. Following their Early Bird experience a few weekends ago, it will be fun to identify progress early in the season as they have big potential. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227615' first='Callie' last='Combs']</strong> and <strong>Grace Portwood</strong> may be undersized among the elite pin hitters at 5'7 and 5'8 respectively, but they have complete skills and are athletic and potential to contribute as well as any left side hitters at any event as they both elevate well and can move the ball around. <strong>Audrey Dyas</strong> is one to keep an eye on in the middle as her skills have improved, which involve more dynamic movement and an aggressive arm, along with the ability to put up a big block. <strong>Jenna Kitchens</strong> has improved her game as well and should add depth on both sides of the ball along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227798' first='Maddie' last='Steele']</strong>. Defensively, this team creates a lot of opportunities as their pins can go six-rotations to support the work that <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='204230' first='Emma' last='Frietch']</strong> and <strong>Maddie Cho</strong> do through the back row. Both read the court well and can create opportunities through their quickness and range. This event will be a good measure for them in the early part of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Ohio teams to see this early season include:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>AVC CLE 15 Red</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite'] 15 Blue</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Black Swamp 151</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='431721' first='ClevPRIME' last=''] 15.1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>TVC 15-Black</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->