Celebrating Winners: Hoosier Region Champs, 18U

Want a subscription to PrepDig? Use code Kyp30 for 30% off of your annual subscription! And don't forget to follow @KypPDIN on X for all of your Indiana high school and club volleyball news!   The Hoosier Bid tournament is in our rearview, with up to four bids handed out per age group—-the most this author can remember in over a decade. We're spending the rest of this week celebrating the champs of each age group, starting with the oldest. Here are three uncommitted athletes and two more that were MAJOR parts of the championship run.    Quick with her feet and calm in her platform, Maye was part of HSE's 4A title run in 2023, proving that big moments do not intimidate this tough defensive specialist. Willing to do the extra work and show relentlessness regardless of the score, Miss McConnell can receive half the court to ensure a side out for her squad. Capable of playing any of the three back row positions, Maye's ability to read and react is probably her best volleyball skill, which is much needed for next-level play.     As springy as they come, Avery makes gravity look optional. She can be used as a pin attacker from either pin, and is an excellent plug-and-play option for a three-rotation position at the next level. Showing off an endless supply of strength out of her right shoulder, Miss Walter hits a heavy ball regularly, which can cause major problems for undisciplined blocks and defenses of all shapes and sizes.     For an undersized setter, Kyra certainly doesn't play like one. Able to get to practically every in- and out-of-system pass without complaint, Kyra's ability to turn nothing into something helped her squad earn the National bid. Relentless in the gym and a never-ending work ethic, Miss Joostberns will find the best connection in every situation at all times, and always puts her hitters in a position to score points. She's also tops in defending her position, unlike a lot of setters from Indiana.     Karen is clearly the emotional leader of Circle's 18 Purple squad. The Butler commit is active vocally and physically, whether on offense, defense or waiting her turn on the bench. With constant energy and lengthy arms and legs, she uses long strides and a whip for a right arm to terminate on each and every play. Defensively, she reads better than most middles in this class, and takes advantage of that length to close to her pin blockers.     From a family of volleyballers, it seems like Ella's been around forever on the Indiana volleyball scene. Playing with a maturity that belies her extensive skill set, her court vision is second to none, and regularly takes advantage of what defenses give her. She's a six-rotation outside for life, and plays with a freedom that's not seen often from Power Four outsides, let alone a small-school outside committed to Morehead State. This kid is awesome—-and is proof that constant, consistent hard work in the gym pays off.

Want a subscription to PrepDig? Use code Kyp30 for 30% off of your annual subscription! And don't forget to follow @KypPDIN on X for all of your Indiana high school and club volleyball news!