Recruiting Notebook: New Name 2025s Rising Up Pt. 1

This past weekend at the Central Zone Invite was a bit of a reunion at the 16s level.  However, for these athletes in the Class of 2025, a lot can change since the end of club season last July.  Athletes are stronger, more athletic, jumping higher, and finding their stride as they head into an important year in regards to building momentum to officially start their recruiting process.    Before I get into these names, if these athletes are playing at the open level - they are going to get D1 looks.  They are some of the best in their region and some are even the best in the nation.  I really try to avoid labeling an athlete when they are 15 and 16 years old because so much can change even within the next six months.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-dig wp-block-embed-prep-dig"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prepdig.com/2023/01/photo-gallery-central-zone-15s-17s/ </div></figure>   What I'm focusing on for this article are the new names from the Class of 2025.  Who did I not have on the radar prior to this event.  Last year I saw the likes of Abby Vander Wal (1st Alliance), Madison Quest (Milwaukee Sting), Reese Dunkle and Logan Bell (Circle City), and Campbell Flynn (Legacy) dominate their season and they did the same this past weekend at Circle Zone.  They are some of the best in the nation.  However, who are the new names that college coaches need to add to their radar?    <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/aniya-warren.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-306400" width="290" height="193" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Chris Fitzgerald Prep Dig</figcaption></figure>   Addy Horner and [player_tooltip player_id='288647' first='Aniya' last='Warren'] - 1st Alliance 16 Gold    1st Alliance 16 Gold was one of the top teams in the country as 15s and they have added two big pieces in Horner and Warren who are big time athletes for the 2023 season.  I saw Warren play libero for one of the top high schools in Illinois in Benet Academy where she is so great on her feet and has a really smooth, quiet platform.  Horner is around 6'1 or 6'2 with plenty of length and athleticism that can set and swing.  These two previously played for Sports Performance.  These two will benefit from the high level events that 1st Alliance plays in week in and week out where they are going to be playing in some big time matches come championship Sunday (or Monday).      <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1619352812252712961?s=20 </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='198544' first='Isabela' last='Haggard'] - KiVA 16 Red   Let's stay with the theme of athletes who can set and swing - that's Isabella Haggard.  She sets in the backrow and plays right side in the front row where she has an extremely strong fundamental foundation, she does it all.  Above all, she's on brand with the KiVA style where she's relentless on defense whether that's blocking in the front row or defending in the backrow.  She is a huge asset to her side of the net where her dynamic play and positive intangibles continue to rise.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC09306.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-306552" width="544" height="362" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='274410' first='Addison' last='Makun'] - KiVA 16 Red    Makun was giving Nya Bunton, the KiVA 18 Red athlete who is heading to Texas.  Makun is long, athletic, physical, and plays with such a fire.  She lights up the court with her smile and celebrates everyone.  She takes up a lot of space with her hands on the block and can transition to be available to attack.  Her swing provides plenty of power, but she can also hit the open spots with a variety of shots.   What a fun athlete.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC09382.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-306570" width="542" height="361" /></figure>   Addison Tindall, [player_tooltip player_id='172318' first='Ava' last='Harris'], and Jillian Tippmann - Team Pineapple 16 Black    This team is going to win a lot of matches this season.  Addison [player_tooltip player_id='192114' first='Addy' last='Tindall'] is a force on the outside, her team is always in system when she is available to swing.  She has the power and the mix of shots to go with it, a complete six rotation player.  [player_tooltip player_id='172318' first='Ava' last='Harris'] makes everything look routine as a setter, she's smooth, keeps it simple for her attackers.  There is a certain grit to this team where they aren't afraid to bear down when things get tough.  Watching their match against A5 to start off bracket play was a thriller Sunday morning.  Jillian Tippmann the lefty right side came up with some huge swings towards the end of the match when her team needed it the most.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC09353.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-306558" width="527" height="351" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='152056' first='Ally' last='Hughes'] - Tri-State Elite 16 Blue    Watching Tri-State play, it's hard not to notice the play of [player_tooltip player_id='152056' first='Ally' last='Hughes'], she's the 5'9 setter who runs the show. The Tri-State teams across all age groups had a big weekend where all of their teams thrive off solid ball control and balance.  Hughes is able to get all of her attackers involved.  She found a great connection with Molly Creech who was on fire.  Creech was finding the deep corner or a roll over the top of the block, an extremely dynamic point scorer.     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC09358.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-307218" width="544" height="362" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='173239' first='Avery' last='Freeman'] - Circle City 16 Purple    Circle City has a line up full of power, they are explosive athletes at every position.  However, the cool, calm, and collected presence in the back row is [player_tooltip player_id='173239' first='Avery' last='Freeman'].  She could probably play without kneepads or elbow pads because she's always in the right spot. She reads, anticipates, and is so efficient with how she moves and controls her platform.  The liberos diving into benches to make a save is fun, but take a libero who can make serve receive and first contacts look easy any day.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC09284.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-306549" width="546" height="363" /></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1619345063259312129?s=20 </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='178289' first='Rebecca' last='Ring'] - VC United 161 Elite   I've seen [player_tooltip player_id='178289' first='Rebecca' last='Ring'] play plenty of times, she played up an age group for Capital Volleyball Academy out of Madison, Wisconsin (which no longer exists), but I want to introduce coaches to a new [player_tooltip player_id='178289' first='Rebecca' last='Ring'].  Ring always had the power, she was always a physical athlete - but now it's all coming together.  Watching her play against Mintonette where VC United had the narrow win, Ring was automatic.  Mintonette attacked her with the serve and she was able to pass to attack in rhythm and with authority. She has such a violent swing where she's tough to contain from the pin.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC09423.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-306491" width="532" height="354" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='179022' first='Mariah' last='Gaines'] - Ohio Premier 16-1 Robinson    Ohio Premier had a big weekend, advancing to the Gold Bracket of 16 Open and going toe to toe with Circle City in the opening round on Sunday.  One of the big reasons was outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='179022' first='Mariah' last='Gaines'].  What an explosive and exciting athlete for this team.  She is a six rotation outside with the blend of power and finesse from the pin.  Her intangibles are also very positive where she jives well with her teammates and can handle of high volume of swings.  This could be a team that could sneak up on people this year.  Another athlete to watch from this team is Zari Gillespie who is very dynamic out of the middle.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC09442.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-307219" width="503" height="335" /></figure>   Annabelle [player_tooltip player_id='152043' first='Belle' last='Groomes'] - AVC 16 Red    I had seen Groomes on video in the past, but seeing her live this past weekend was fun, what an electric athlete.  I saw her playing on the right side first where she has an aggressive approach and swing.  She is a mismatch nightmare where she hits with such pace making it tough for the other side to stay in system.  Once she heads to the backrow, she sets where she receives the ball high and neutral where she can go with any of her attackers.  A definite swiss army knife threat who will be fun to watch the different ways she can make an impact this 2023 season.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC09264.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-307223" width="448" height="298" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='288630' first='Grace' last='Kreutz'] - Adversity 16 Adidas   Another electric outside hitter, this time coming out of Chicagoland with [player_tooltip player_id='288630' first='Grace' last='Kreutz']. The Adversity 16 Adidas squad has a lot of pieces that bring potential to the court. A lot of big swings and strong defense. For Kreutz, she was someone who was always available for this team. She has really strong hand contact where she finds a way to hit it square and put a ton of pace on the ball. With her skill set, she can attack from anywhere and is someone who can transition from pass to attack with ease.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC09291.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-307232" width="386" height="257" /></figure>   Francesca Popescu - A5 16 Gabe   This libero lights the court on fire, she brings a big spark and energy.  In their match against Team Pineapple, it was very interesting to watch how A5 would use up their serve receive. The middle of the court was wide open, bating the other team into serving it down the middle where Popescu could take total control.  She reads the server and is moving to the spot where they are serving and she can make the clean pass.  A5 was so close, yet so far this past weekend where they were a couple of points away from advancing to power pools on Saturday and again in the gold bracket on Sunday.  They could be dangerous the more they play throughout the season.

This past weekend at the Central Zone Invite was a bit of a reunion at the 16s level. However, for these athletes in the Class of 2025, a lot can change since the end of club season last July. Athletes are stronger, more athletic, jumping higher, and finding their stride as they head into an important year in regards to building momentum to officially start their recruiting process.