Southern Indiana Gems: What The Class Of ’22 Can Offer

<p>Our tour of Indiana continues by hitting up a small hotbed of volleyball in the southern third of the state. Although five different high schools are represented, it is unique that only two clubs are mentioned in this particular list. Here are five kids we like:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85809" first="Grace" last="Reynolds"], 5-8, S, Circle City 16 Purple (16-1), Martinsville High School</strong></p> <p>Soft hands, great tempo and location, and always positive. She tops this list for a very simple reason---there are very few setter state-wide, let alone in the southern third of the state, that can (1) locate the ball well, (2) use soft hands while in a full sprint, and (3) run one of the best offenses in the state. Watching her play, I have reason to believe she’s played a bit of outdoor ball, considering how smooth her ball control is.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85812" first="Estella" last="Kleffman"], 5-9, OH/DS, Union 16 Asics (16-1), Trinity Lutheran High School</strong></p> <p>Far and away the smallest school on this list, TL is an exceptional volleyball factory that is consistently competing at the highest level of 1A teams in the state. Add to it that Miss Kleffman trains at Union, and you can understand why she’s so skilled. Used primarily as a DS in high school, Stella is more than capable of playing six rotations, and her volleyball smarts always have her in the right place at the right time.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85816" first="Natalie" last="Lostutter"], 5-9, RS/OH, Union 16 Asics (16-1), Floyd Central High School</strong></p> <p>Do not be fooled by FC’s lack of success at the sectional level. The two teams constantly in their way? Providence (perennial state champ) and Brownstown Central (state champ in ’19). That being said, Natalie can play either pin with volleyball smarts that only a Union kid could master. As a freshman in 2018, she led her high school team with 14 kills in the state championship for Christian Academy of Indiana (1A). Now with Floyd Central, she’s testing herself against the best of the big school kids, and it’s paying off. Her terminal abilities should not be overlooked.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85823" first="Sarah" last="Bennett"], 6-0, MB, Circle City 16 Black (16-2), Columbus North High School</strong></p> <p>Of the two Columbus-area high schools, North is not the volleyball power. With that being said, Sarah more than holds her own against other big schools and is the M1 on 16-2s at Circle. Attack touch is a little low for my taste (9-6), but she’s terminal, both on the block and on the attack. I like her attitude as a middle----steady and consistent. Here’s to hoping Sarah is hitting the gym during our shutdown to increase her strength and speed.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85827" first="Cadence" last="Gilley"], 5-4, DS, Circle City 16 Purple (16-1), Columbus East High School</strong></p> <p>Cadence has split time as a three-rotation DS as well as wearing the special jersey from time to time. Watching her club play, you often forget about the DS’s because of how powerful and effective the offense is. Remember, offenses don’t go unless the defense and serve receive are there. When Cadence is in, there’s no question about IF she can pass. The only question becomes "how much of the court can you take today?"</p>