Hoosier Bid Regionals: 16s Players We're Watching, Part 1

Looking at the list of teams playing this weekend for the right to play at GJNC's, we found that the 16s division has the most teams entered. Of the 17 teams listed, there are over a dozen kids from two different graduating classes that have caught our attention on the court, either at our showcases or from play thus far this spring. Here is the first group of six athletes from six different rosters that are turning heads early on this club season and should be the x-factor for their respective squads.    One of the top players in the 2027 class, this Team Indiana transfer has made an immediate impact for her new team. Already winning multiple tournaments this spring, Miss Schembra is the clear leader, both physically and vocally, and she clearly has a stranglehold of the top setting spot in the class. Her ability to use her athleticism in multiple parts of her game allow her to be an unmistakeable high-level recruit, and seemingly improves every time I see her play. She's even added a tougher hybrid jump serve to her arsenal, which has shown more consistency since the high school season.     From relative obscurity just 18 months ago, Ali has become a solid six-rotation outside hitting option for the 16-2 squad at Circle. Long, lean and athletic, Ali finds ways to terminate---whether it's with her jumping ability, a smart tool shot or just being bigger than the blocker across from her. Her floor defense and serve receive are coming along, too. No longer a liability while in serve receive, Ali can do almost anything needed on the court. I'd like to see a little more upper body strength from her, now that she's got the whole volleyball package together.     One of those kids that you just love to cheer for, Avery is a hard-working, high-character kid that knows nothing but the grind when it comes to playing this game of ours. She'll find a game no matter where---in indoor, where she's a solid three-rotation DS/L, or in outdoor, where her ball control is consistent and well-trained. She's also no stranger to the inside of a weight room, and her leg strength has really propelled her to new heights with the area she can cover. In Miss Bastien, you can almost guarantee her ability to work hard, even when no one is watching.     Big and physical in the middle, Miss Deshields is an intimidating presence for Ignite 16 Elite. She is a next-level M2 from up north, where there aren't too many that can do what she can in this class. Her size and strength overpower most middles in this class from her area, and her ability to put pace on the ball from the middle is one of her many redeeming qualities when she plays. I'm also a fan of her transitional footwork. Most kids this size in this class look to lumber along and hopefully make themselves ready to hit occasionally. Kayliyah is seemingly always ready to hit, and does so quickly.     Calm, cool and collected, Ana is a silky smooth setter from WAY up north, closer to Chicago than us here in Indy. Already fully capable of running a 5-1 (despite her size), she's got the athleticism and volleyball IQ to go get bad passes and turn them into positive plays for her hitters. Capable of adjusting on the fly, Ana is a coachable and consistent setter that coaches covet at this age group, and should be earning a ton of attention in the coming months from colleges that are looking for an addition to an already established stable of setters.     Springy and quick, Molly is a lefty banger, also from northern Indiana. Undersized for the position, she more than makes up for it in her quickness in transition as well as her jumping ability. As a lefty, she also becomes a problem for opposing blockers, as her arm swing is hard to read and even harder to defend against. I'd like to see some more upper body strength to see her tool blocks regularly, but for now, her springy and quick nature will carry her far in her recruitment.

Looking at the list of teams playing this weekend for the right to play at GJNC's, we found that the 16s division has the most teams entered. Of the 17 teams listed, there are over a dozen kids from two different graduating classes that have caught our attention on the court, either at our showcases or from play thus far this spring. Here is the first group of six athletes from six different rosters that are turning heads early on this club season and should be the x-factor for their respective squads.

Central Florida