Summer League At Circle: First Impressions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Use code KypDig2024 at checkout for $10 off your registration at our Stock Up Showcase on August 3!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The club season might be winding down, but high school summer leagues are alive and kicking. I missed last week's opening day at Circle City, but got a chance to attend last night. Here are a couple of first impressions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Multiple Starters Missing</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's June, meaning that teams have players that (1) are already in Florida for AAUs, (2) are preparing for their version of Nationals, or (3) on vacation. That still doesn't stop the 12 squads last night from playing hard. For example, Tri-West was missing their big banger <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260995' first='Caroline' last='Ward'],</strong> the hammer of a right side from Boiler Juniors 16-1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401486' first='Anna' last='Fish'],</strong> the do-everything for Seymour and primary passing outside at KIVA, was on the sidelines as well. This just gives others a little more playing time and attention to get back into the high school swing of things. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Kid Party</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the athletes that I remember watching---not only from last summer, but during club this season---two kids stood out to me as bigger and tougher than they were last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481214' first='Marley' last='Vanwanzeele'] ('27, 6-0, Mooresville)</strong> is hitting an even heavier ball than I remember from just a couple of months ago, and has such long arms that blocking was not an issue for her. I also enjoyed the play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='394127' first='Ella' last='Vandermark'] ('26, 6-1 MB, Danville).</strong> Smart on the attack and the block, with probably the highest attack point of all the middles last night. She was also a beast behind the base line, with a couple of nice serving runs against Martinsville and Jennings County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dynamic Duo</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One team in particular that I watched with intent was Oldenburg Academy. Knowing that their school has less than 200 kids in grades 9-12, how would they stack up against the big girls and volleyball blue-bloods of Central Indiana? With a loss to Avon and a win over Lutheran, they held their own, with a pair of bigs doing their thing. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403092' first='Rachel' last='Suttmann'] ('26, 6-2 MB, Oldenburg Academy)</strong> is a basketball-first athlete, using her size well and added some toughness at the net. What caught my eye the most was the development of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443851' first='Ali' last='Nobbe'] ('27, 6-2 OH, Oldenburg Academy).</strong> Last year at this time, she was learning a ton and leaning on her athleticism to put balls away. After a year of high-level club ball, she's playing all the way around as a primary passer, and looks more fluid than ever. Late to the club ball party, this is a kid to keep an eye on as she develops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New To Me</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Admittedly, I don't make the trip to southern Indiana enough. Between the New Albany area, the Evansville area, and even southeastern Indiana---well, there's only one of me. That being said, I now have yet another reason to go, and that's to watch <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398587' first='Avynn' last='Belding'] ('25, 5-11 MB, Jennings County).</strong> Watching her last night, she's the senior leader that this squad will need to survive the gauntlet that is Providence, Floyd Central, Silver Creek and New Albany. With the skills to be an M1 or an M2 at the next level, she's a two-sport athlete that would thrive in a small school environment. Springy, athletic and smart, Avynn led JC in kills last season, and will most likely do the same this coming fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->