The kick-off to the club season officially begins this weekend with the Early Bird Shootout, hosted by multiple clubs on over forty courts on Sunday, January 10. The who’s who of 1s teams will be at Capitol Sports Center in Plainfield, the home of Circle City. There will be distinct morning and afternoon waves, with the younger (read: 15s and 16s) ages playing early. Yours truly will be in attendance, so here’s the preview of whom to watch.
Courts 1 and 4, AM wave
A modified pool schedule, emphasizing social distancing and maximizing sanitation on the court for each and every match, headlines this tournament. The 8am matchups are toughies right out of the gate; Court 1 has Circle City 16 Purple matching up against Academy 16 Yeti, while Court 4 features Union UA 16 and Boiler Juniors 16 Gold. Each have their high-profile class of ’23 players. I’ll be keeping an eye on Quinci ThomasQuinciThomas6'3" | OHBrownsburg | 2023StateIN (6-1 OH) and Faith BurchFaithBurch5'10" | RSRoncalli | 2023StateIN (5-10 RS) holding the pins down for coach Scott McQueen. The Academy brings their own size and jumping ability, with Mya AyroMyaAyro5'11" | MBGreenwood | 2023StateIN moving her athleticism to the left pin after playing middle on her high school team. I’ll
The kick-off to the club season officially begins this weekend with the Early Bird Shootout, hosted by multiple clubs on over forty courts on Sunday, January 10. The who’s who of 1s teams will be at Capitol Sports Center in Plainfield, the home of Circle City. There will be distinct morning and afternoon waves, with the younger (read: 15s and 16s) ages playing early. Yours truly will be in attendance, so here’s the preview of whom to watch.
Courts 1 and 4, AM wave
A modified pool schedule, emphasizing social distancing and maximizing sanitation on the court for each and every match, headlines this tournament. The 8am matchups are toughies right out of the gate; Court 1 has Circle City 16 Purple matching up against Academy 16 Yeti, while Court 4 features Union UA 16 and Boiler Juniors 16 Gold. Each have their high-profile class of ’23 players. I’ll be keeping an eye on
Quinci ThomasQuinciThomas6'3" | OHBrownsburg | 2023StateIN (6-1 OH) and
Faith BurchFaithBurch5'10" | RSRoncalli | 2023StateIN (5-10 RS) holding the pins down for coach Scott McQueen. The Academy brings their own size and jumping ability, with
Mya AyroMyaAyro5'11" | MBGreenwood | 2023StateIN moving her athleticism to the left pin after playing middle on her high school team. I’ll be keeping my other eye on Court 4, where
Cali CummingsCaliCummings6'0" | MBSeymour | 2023StateIN (6-0 MB/OH) and
Libby DippoldLibbyDippold5'11" | MBColumbus East | 2023StateIN (5-11 MB) will anchor the middle. Prepare to see Miss Cummings on one of the pins as well, as 6-4 MB
Meredith Brown
MeredithBrownMBMercy | 2023StateKY from Kentucky should be the main quick tempo option for setter
Grace PurichiaGracePurichia5'7" | SProvidence | 2023StateIN.
Courts 2 and 3, AM wave
Although the younger 15s teams are split between these two courts, they will be matched up in a crossover match to end the day with teams from Courts 1 and 4, depending on their finish. No slouches here; the Boiler Juniors 15 Gold squad is familiar with winning, starting with freshman setter
Allie ShondellAllieShondell5'9" | SMcCutcheon | 2024IN (5-10 S).
Riley WhitlockRileyWhitlock6'0" | OHLafayette Harrison | 2024IN (5-11 OH) will also bring a good amount of athleticism to the fold. They immediately are challenged by a Union 15 UA that looks young, but brings a volleyball IQ higher than most. Kylie Minnis (’23, 5-10 OH) should lead the way from the left pin, while Ellie Priddy will anchor the middle.
Courts 1 and 4, PM wave
The big girls finally arrive, with Academy’s 18-1 taking on Circle’s 17-1 on Court 1. Experience lead the Rage, with Purdue signee
Raven ColvinRavenColvin6'0" | MBHeritage Christian | 2021StateIN and Butler signee
Grace BoggessGraceBoggess6'3" | MBCenter Grove | 2021StateIN bringing size and massive ability. Circle will put up a fight, with six foot outside
Courtney JonesCourtneyJones5'11" | OHTerre Haute South | 2022StateIN (Lipscomb commit) and 6-1 middle
Ella PeterEllaPeter6'0" | MBNoblesville | 2022StateIN (Central Michigan commit) carrying their own size and jumping abilities. Court 4 will be a great matchup early as well, with Union UA 18 taking on Impact 18 Scott. Union has their entire roster signed, led by setter
Emma KaelinEmmaKaelin5'10" | SProvidence | 2021StateIN (Indiana State) and heavy-armed outside
Ali HornungAliHornung5'9" | OHProvidence | 2021StateIN (Purdue). Impact brings their own talent, starting with senior middle
Madison RitchieMadisonRitchie6'0" | MBFort Wayne Leo | 2022IN.
Courts 2 and 3, PM wave
The top two Circle teams go head-to-head in the first match of our club season on Court 2. 18-1 has a ton of talent, including thumper
Abby MaeschAbbyMaesch5'11" | OHAvon | 2021StateIN (Georgia) and the best hands (IMHO) in the class of ’21 from Indiana,
Bailey DeMierBaileyDeMier6'0" | SBloomington South | 2021StateIN (Murray State). 18-2 has their fair share as well, starting with setter
Sidney VeatchSidneyVeatch6'0" | SSouthmont | 2021StateIN (IUPUI) and lefty hammer
GraceAnn HartmanGraceAnnHartman6'2" | RSPerry Meridian | 2021StateIN (Ashland). Don’t miss the action on Court 3, however. Impacts #1 team, 18 Jay, matches up against Academy’s 18-2.
Bailey HartsoughBaileyHartsough5'10" | OHLakeland | 2021IN (Western Carolina) will be the primary attacker on Impact’s side, while
Carly SobieralskiCarlySobieralski5'10" | SFranklin Central | 2021StateIN (Southern Indiana) brings her brand of "attacking setter" to run a 5-1 for the Fury.
