Indy Cup Preview: Attackers From 16 Open You Need To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving right along to our 16 Open preview of Indy Cup this weekend, and there is one guarantee that I can give you---there will be no shortage of high-flying attackers in this division. Only 12 teams will be playing in this section of the tournament, with four coming from Indiana. Here are four clubs with two D-1-ready attackers on each that should carry the load this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Boiler Juniors 161E Gold</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Already the top 16s team in the state this year, two attackers immediately come to mind. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260994' first='Calista' last='Foster'] ('26, 5-9 OH, Benton Central)</strong> is a six-rotation, primary-passing outside that can do everything and has been asked (on more than one occasion) to be the go-to for a must-have side out. On the other pin is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260995' first='Caroline' last='Ward'] ('27, 6-1 RS, Tri-West). </strong>Long, lean and fast, Caroline has been receiving some national attention by recently being named to the "Fab 50 Watch List" for the class of 2027 by Volleyball Magazine. Her terminating abilities are second to none on the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 16 Purple</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among the leaders in 16 Open qualifiers all season long, the 16-1 from Circle have quite a few high volleyball IQ kids on this roster. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221478' first='Josie' last='Imes'] ('26, 5-10 OH, Zionsville)</strong> does a little of everything a six-rotation outside should do, and does it well. She can terminate from anywhere on the floor and has good instincts when receiving serve and defending. Even though she <em>looks</em> smaller than an average outside, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226810' first='Ella' last='Warrick'] ('26, 5-8 OH, Linton-Stockton)</strong> has that mentally tough vibe and is a gym rat through and through. Relentless in her work ethic and her play, she does the extra dirty work both on and off the court to be better every day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rev 16-1 Fury</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With size on the pins, this roster will make it tough for opposing outsides to both attack and defend. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='327227' first='Hayden' last='Mandsager'] ('27, 6-0 Pin, Cathedral)</strong> is adept from both pins, can receive serve well and defends consistently. Her high attack point and heavy ball on attack make her a tough out in any matchup. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='229027' first='Merritt' last='Sliwa'] ('26, 6-0 Pin, Hamilton Southeastern)</strong> is another high-flying attacker from state champ HSE with an attack touch so high that some blocks become obsolete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team Indiana Elite 16.1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems that size is a recurring theme in this article, but the big kids get more attention than most in this age group. Let's start with multisport stud <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254827' first='Lydia' last='Stahley'] ('26, 6-1 OH, Roncalli).</strong> Springy and athletic, Miss Stahley makes this sport look easy. I'm a fan of her relentless play and her willingness to go for it even when things aren't perfect. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512366' first='Elli' last='Strecker'] ('26, 6-4 MB, Zionsville)</strong> is already playing like a woman among girls in the middle, and could end up being the top middle in this class from Indiana sooner rather than later. Big, physical and athletic, Elli is the complete package when looking for a college-ready middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->