On a day like this, when there is competitive volleyball being played by nationally-ranked teams across many age groups, it’s impossible to pick a starting point. There’s only so much to get to, but rest assured one item below is the Day 1 Show Stoppers from Saturday’s action at the Central Zone Invitational in Indianapolis.
However, first let’s take a look at teams and where the stand and how they may factor into Sunday’s conclusion.
14 OPEN
A5 14 HELEN: The top seed was upended by Legacy 14-1 Adidas in its last outing Saturday evening. A5 won its three-team pool during the day, then beat NKYVC 14-1 Tsunami in a bracket-match Saturday evening. Yet, Legacy swept the seeding match for Sunday’s gold bracket, taking the contest, 25-11, 25-12. A5 has a wide array of options and one key piece is setter Marissa Jones. She has her pick of options, including outsides McKenzie Wilkie and Laila Amos, as well as middles Kylee Evans and Layla Dunn and right side Megan McLarty.
LEGACY 14-1 ADIDAS: The Lakeshore Region club took over the top seed by going 4-0 on Saturday, beating Lex United 14-1 Adidas, AVC Cle 14 Red, Mintonette Sports m.41 and A5. One strength was the play of outsides Calli LeFevre and Kate Kalczynski, as well as setters Avery Thompson-Stepp and Marlie Smith. Libero Addison Thompson-Stepp was strong defensively while Isabelle Lawhorn and Cynthia Ockerman took care of the middle.
Lions 14-1: Lions, the No. 9 seed, beat No. 8 Circle City 14 Purple to close out pool play and is still in the hunt. Outsides Francesca Lorenzo and Kalia Kroth teamed with setter/right side Peyton Heatherly, setter Natalie Bochantin and libero Ellie Kowalski to advance.
TRI-STATE ELITE 14 BLUE: The No. 2 overall seed held its position Saturday by defeating Academy 14 Fuego, Maverick 14 Elite, Lions 14-1 and Adidas KiVA 14 Red. Middles Alexandra Morris and Jillian Forrest stood out, as did outsides Makenna Meibers and Maisie Jones.
15 OPEN
TRI-STATE ELITE 15 BLUE: It was a strong opening day for Tri-State Elite. Seeded No. 11 overall, Tri-State upset No. 5 seed HPSTL 15 Royal in morning action then pushed No. 3 seed Boiler Jrs 15 Gold to three in afternoon bracket play. Tri-State then closed out by downing original No. 1 seed Mintonette Sports m.51. Helping the team taking over the No. 5 seed was outsides Nattie Slusher and Emma Adkins, as well as setter/right sides Morgan Heater and Milyn Minor and libero Grace Jones.
AVC CLE 15 RED: The No. 9 seed to start, AVC upset top-seeded Mintonette in afternoon bracket play, sweeping 25-21, 25-23. AVC fell to Boiler Jrs in the next round but still advanced to Sunday’s gold bracket. Pins Sydney Borowy and Haley Wilson performed solidly. They were backed by middles Nizhoni Clement and D’Aira Whitner, libero Kailey Snow and setter Grace Daniels.
VC United 15 Elite: VC United reached the gold bracket after starting play as the No. 26 seed. In a three-team pool, VC United took a three-way tie at 1-1 with HPSTL 15 Royal and Illini Elite 15 Cardinal to advance. Outside Madison Anspaugh played a big role, as did libero Natalie Leach.
16 OPEN
MKE STING 16 GOLD: The gold bracket in 16 Open is loaded, with MKE Sting part of the mix. Sting went 3-1 Saturday, losing to No. 2 seed Circle City 16 Purple in straight sets before holding off Team Pineapple 16 Black in three. Sting has plenty of offense to throw at opponents. Setter Billie Reiter has a strong outside duo in Madison Quest and Emma Koceja, as wells as middles Gabriella Pitcel and Karli Molnau.
TEAM PINEAPPLE 16 BLACK: Even though Team Pineapple faces an uphill fight in gold bracket, the team did well advancing and could be a border Open team this spring. Team Pineapple pushed both Mich Elite 16 Mizuno and MKE Sting to three sets, losing by a combined six points. Those are both top contenders here. Addison Tindall is a 5-star recruit on the outside. Maya Harris was holding down the other outside spot while Jillian Tippmann was contributing from the right side as setter Ava Harris was dishing to all.
OPVC 16 Robinson: I caught this team at JVA Rock’N Rumble two weeks ago and OPVC reached the gold bracket here in Indy. OPVC went 3-1 on Saturday, only losing to top-seeded 1st Alliance 16 Gold. Outsides Mariah Gaines and Kaylie McIntosh were key, as was middle Raegan Waller.
17 OPEN
AVC CLE 17 RED: AVC retained the No. 4 overall seed. It took three to defeat Summit 17 Blue Elite but AVC finished 4-0 nonetheless. Outsides Emma McCartney and Samantha Young were helping lead the charges, as was right side Sydney Waller.
DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS
Ella Grimes L/DS Elevation 15 Tony: A three-star recruit, Grimes spent her high school hitting for Ursuline Academy but is back in her normal defensive spot for Elevation and no doubt the team is thankful for that. Her play was outstanding, from her steady and consistent passing to her ripping jump serves for points.
Emma Cugino L/DS Mintonette Sports m.51: The defending USAV 14 Open champions were in action Saturday, helped by the strong effort of Cugino, a three-star recruit. She was on point with her passing and was flying around the court extending rallies.
Madison Miles OH Boiler Jrs 15 Gold: A 6-0, 3-star recruit, Miles was showcasing her arm as she delivered plenty of offense for her team. She was finding gaps in the block and exploiting them, sending balls down to the ground in impressive fashion.
Reese Resmer MB Boiler Jrs 15 Gold: Resmer, a 4-star middle, was booming balls on the slide and was very active at the net. She draws lots of attention because teams know she’s getting the ball but still struggle slowing her.
Ella Andrews MB Legacy 15-1 Adidas: For now, Andrews is a 3-star recruit, mostly because she was hurt last year and we didn’t get a chance to really see her in action. However, at 6-3 and what she showed Saturday she’ll be moving up in our next update. She has a big, powerful arm and hits the ball hard.
Alana Whitfield OH Illini Elite 15 Cardinal: Whitfield, a 3-star recruit, is a workhorse on the outside for her squad. She’s the feature piece of the attack and takes a lot of swings trying to propel the offense along. She has a very good arm and range of shots.
Madison Anspaugh OH VC United 15 Elite: Anspaugh is another workhorse outside. She does a lot on offense for VC United as they look to her to be the main scoring threat. She’s 6-1 and able to extend, so she has upside at the next level.
Olivia Siskin S A5 15 Bob: Siskin helped Pace Academy to the Georgia 4A state title, leading the team in assists. The 6-0 freshman was on the 2s last year but made the jump to the top team and is already paying dividends with her strong setting ability. She also gives A5 tons of lineup options.
Kennedy Tisdale MB MKE Sting 15 Gold: Tisdale impressed on Day 1 with her ability to score. She was effective and coming through nearly every time her number was called. She has a good arm and found holes in the defense.
Cassidy Bruns L/DS MKE Sting 15 Gold: Bruns brings her defensive mentality to the lineup, hustling and chasing down balls on the regular.
Grace Portwood OH NKYVC 15-1 Tsunami: I really enjoyed the way Portwood was getting after it. She was playing hard and attacking aggressively, even against big blockers. She wasn’t backing down from a challenge.
Addison Horner S/RS 1st Alliance 16 Gold: What potential the 6-3 Horner has! She was a huge part of the 1st Alliance lineup, both dishing and hitting well. Her height makes her a difficult cover at the net but she also sets a clean ball across the back row to help her team out in a variety of ways.
Abby Vander Wal OH 1st Alliance 16 Gold: I happened to be walking by when the 5-star Vander Wal had a favorable matchup against a smaller blocking team. The 6-3 Vader Wal put on quite a show as she helped her team go on a major run. She was simply too much for the defense to contain.
Hannah Kenny S/RS 1st Alliance 16 Gold: While Horner and Vander Wal wow, Kenny is the proverbial glue piece who helps keep it all together. The 3-star recruit does just about everything for this team, from setting to hitting to playing strong defense.
Campbell Flynn S Legacy 16-1 Adidas: When it comes to 5-star recruits like the 6-2 Flynn, it’s a broken record in a good way! It just can be tough saying new things about her. Legacy is definitely facing some challenges this season but Flynn does well to elevate the team with her setting skills and ability to guide an offense.
Addison Makun MB Adidas KiVA 16 Red: A 6-3, 4-star recruit, KiVA is better when it is getting Makun the ball. She’s a legit option in the middle and has no issues putting balls down when KiVA can run its attack in system.
Asia Harvey OH A5 16 Gabe: The 4-star, high-flying outside oozes next-level ability. She can get up and rip it for sure. The best part is she still has so much potential and growth ahead it’s scary!
Francesca Popescu L/DS A5 16 Gabe: I really like the poise and confidence Popescu, a 4-star recruit, plays with. She anchors the back row and gives A5 an edge at the position.
Isabelle Busignani OH Mich Elite 16 Mizuno: Busignani, a 3-star recruit, starred for Marian this past high school season and she was just as impressive booming balls on Day 1. The 6-1 outside has a very lively arm, extends well and can really crush it!
McKenna Payne L/DS Mich Elite 16 Mizuno: Payne is a smooth-operating libero. She’s calm and collected and makes certain plays look easy.
Alivia Morgan MB Rev 15-1 Fuego: Morgan did a nice job holding it down in the middle. She showed a strong arm when she had the chance to attack.
Ava Brown S/RS Black Swamp 15: Brown was a strong presence and contributes a ton. She’s tall for a setter at 6-1 and spent her high school season hitting, so she’s a versatile player and one to keep tabs on.
Jillian Tippmann RS Team Pineapple 16 Black: Tippmann is a new addition to the roster this season. The lefty has added to the offensive punch of Team Pineapple. The 5-10 lefty gets off the ground quick and has a nice swing to generate offense with.
Addison Tindall OH Team Pineapple 16 Black: The 5-star recruit can carry the offense in long stretches when she gets it going. The 6-2 outside is long and can go over the top of blocks or simply tool them with ease.
Cala Haffner L/DS Team Pineapple 15 Black: Haffner doesn’t easily flinch as she commands the back row. She’s a solid libero with strong passing and reading skills.
Sienna Fry RS Summit 15 Blue Elite: Fry, a 3-star recruit who should be climbing up to 4 stars in our next update, is legit. She’s tall, a lefty and hits both front and back row. She’s a featured part of the attack and with her extension and swing is a real threat and has tremendous upside at the next level.
Annabelle Groomes S/RS AVC Cle 16 Red: Groomes, a 5-star recruit, is a high-level setter with her ability to move the ball around without effort. She’s also a strong attacker, with a lefty swing and ability to hit with pace.
Riley McCloskey OH NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami: A 4-star recruit, McCloskey was swinging from everywhere. She has a big arm and is an aggressive, physical attacker who NKYVC relies on plenty.
Rebecca Ring OH VC United 16 Elite: The 6-2 outside is a name to know. She was powering the offense along with her big swings. She hits hard and is only going to get better, which is exciting.
Marissa Jones S A5 14 Helen: When it comes to who’s next, put Jones up high on any list. The 6-0 disher flashed endless upside. She’s already touching 10-2 and her athleticism is what D1 coaches dream of.
Reese Schneider L/DS Union 14 UA: Schneider did a great job picking up a few hard hit balls that came her way. Her passes were on target as she held her own.
Shaye Witherspoon OH Rockwood Thunder 14 Elite: The 6-1 Witherspoon was one of the most impressive outsides in her age division on Day 1. She’s lanky and had no problem going over blocks and putting balls away. She’s definitely one to watch for.
Morgan Meiring OH Elevation 14 Molly: Meiring is a six-rotation outside who is an integral piece to the lineup. She’s a real scoring threat with attacking capabilities.
Kendall Hubbard S/RS Elevation 14 Molly: Hubbard is an energetic, upbeat player who was fun to watch with her versatility hitting and setting. She showed good location dishing and had a solid arm when attacking.
Emily Poteraj MB Adidas KiVA 14 Red: Poteraj, a 5-10 middle, was active and seemingly involved in many plays. When on the attack, she gets after it and was swinging away.
Lilah Anthony RS Adidas 14 KiVA Red: Anthony was helping power KiVA’s attack along and was a reliable scoring option in the front row.
Peyton Heatherly S/RS Lions 14-1: Heatherly was at the center of what Lions was doing. Back row she dishing well and putting up a nice ball. Front row, she was a solid threat and more than capable than putting away balls.
Francesca Lorenzo OH Lions 14-1: Lorenzo definitely brings offense to the court when she checks in across the front row. She’s lanky and has a nice swing to pressure defenses with.
Kyla Williams MB AVC Cle 14 Red: If you are looking for some potential breakout players down the road, Williams is a one to keep tabs on. She’s a long middle for the age group and moves well. She can be a real imposing presence at the net.
Charlotte Moriarty OH Adidas KiVA 17 Red: Moriarty, a 3-star recruit, is an aggressive, free-swinger on the outside. She was letting loose and challenging blocks but she can also tip and go off speed to keep defenses guessing.
Sophia Adkins RS Tri-State Elite 17 Blue: Adkins, a 3-star Providence recruit, was playing well on the right side. Her size was making an impact at the net as she delivered a couple blocks and put away a few balls.
