The physical leader of Circle’s 16 Purple squad, Audrey leads a team that is triple-qualified for GJNCs this summer. Her terminal arm from anywhere on the court is the immediately noticeable feature, but her high level of volleyball IQ is what will really draw the recruiting attention this summer.

Audrey Utterback Audrey Utterback 5'10" | OH IN operates with a level of control and intentionality that is rare at the pin. Her approach sequencing is efficient and repeatable, allowing her to consistently arrive balanced and on time regardless of tempo or location. She creates a clean, extended contact window, giving her the ability to manipulate the ball rather than react to it.

What separates Utterback is her ability to win with precision. She identifies block positioning early, adjusts mid-flight, and executes with purpose — whether that’s high hands, seam exposure, or off-speed placement to disrupt defensive structure. She doesn’t rely on force; she dictates outcomes through decision-making. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas

Why she’s on a coach’s short list: A high-efficiency, low-error attacker who processes the game at an advanced level and delivers controlled production in every phase.

Ultimately carrying the Quakers on her back throughout their epic playoff run this past fall, Audrey is the primary passing, six-rotation attacker that is coveted at all levels of volleyball. Terminal when she needs to be and smart when things are out-of-system, Miss Utterback’s innate ability to pick and choose her point-scoring moments looks embedded into her DNA. Earning the Open bid in Boston a couple of weeks ago, she’s in the process of perfecting her craft—-and bringing the rest of her Circle 16 Purple squad with her.

A 1st Team All-State honoree and responsible for the biggest jump of success in all of 4A volleyball in Indiana, Miss Utterback has all of the five tools (attack, block, serve, serve receive, floor defense) that one could ask for in an all-around player at the Division I level. It helps that two family members have also moved on to Division I ball (UC Davis and Louisville, respectively), but neither of those two had to shoulder the load quite as much as Audrey has. Explosiveness, strength and an astronomically high volleyball acuity, it feels like the newest Utterback has been here forever, and still has all of this club season PLUS TWO MORE YEARS to go.

First team all-state (again), bronze medal from last season’s 15 Open tourney at GJNC’s, and now looking to be the first outside to receive a commitment this coming summer. Audrey is from a family of volleyball players, and might be the most well-rounded of the bunch. A true leader by example for both her high school squad and her club team, Miss Utterback is one of the heavier hitters in this age group and, with a bit more training, will be the most complete player in the class by the end of the club season.

As a primary-passing six-rotation outside for Plainfield’s resurgence this season, she can count herself as one of the few who have knocked off HSE this fall. Her shot-making ability is endless, and can do everything from hammer to roll to place to tool in an instant. The game looks slowed down for her, and you can almost see her think through what she does before it happens. Part of a family of volleyball players, Audrey’s the third sister that will, most likely, earn a D1 offer before her junior season.

Easily one of the heaviest hitters in this class, Audrey is the third of three sisters aiming for D1 status (the first two are at UC Davis and Louisville, respectively). After a bronze-winning 15 Open run in Dallas, Audrey’s all-tournament honors capped what was a coming-out party for the young sophomore. She can hit any angle in any situation, passes at an above-average level, and can rise to the occasion when prompted. She’ll be a four-year starter for the Quakers once her career is over, and I would not be surprised if she set new records in attacking during her time.

After securing first team all-America honors at USAV GJNC Open Nationals and from other publications, Utterback has cemented herself as one of the top prospects in the state of Indiana and the best OH currently in the class of 2028. She was the go-to player all year for the #3 team in the country, Circle City, and could still dominate even when other teams began to catch on. Audrey is a 6 rotation OH who can do it all: pass, defend, attack (front and back row), block AND serve tough, all while seemingly staying calm and collected in the most competitive of matches. Look for her and Groninger to be a dynamic duo at Plainfield and continue to rack up their team and personal honors over the next season.

What coaches are trying to teach their athletes with footwork in attacking could be taught by an Audrey Utterback highlight video. Does she have the big swings? Of course, but it’s what she does out of system, in the backrow, and when things aren’t perfect is where she truly shines. She knows how to get her feet to the ball, use a variety of shots, and makes a high IQ play. Aside from her volleyball skill, her on court demeanor is cool, calm, and collected. She is unphased through adversity and is a pure leader on the court. 

Probably the heaviest hitter and most well-rounded player on this roster, Audrey has a knack for taking over a match herself with her heavy ball and intense physicality. As a six-rotation outside, she’s responsible for a ton of ball touches throughout a typical match, but you wouldn’t know it just by looking at her. Terminal when she needs to be, and smart when she can’t, Miss Utterback comes from a long line of D1 talent in her own family. Suffice it to say that her bloodline has her more prepared for the next level than any level of training she’s receiving at the moment.