Must Watch Club Team: Munciana 16 Banana Slugs
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This team, out of Muncie Indiana, is the real deal. Competing in the 16 Premier division, I was able to watch these athletes take the court during the 2021 Adidas Bluegrass Tournament in the Kentucky Expo Center. This team is…
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Continue ReadingThis team, out of Muncie Indiana, is the real deal. Competing in the 16 Premier division, I was able to watch these athletes take the court during the 2021 Adidas Bluegrass Tournament in the Kentucky Expo Center. This team is a standout for multiple reasons: their speed, athleticism, tempo, scrappiness.
This Munciana Banana Slugs roster features players from multiple schools.
Here’s an overview of this dynamic team and who to keep an eye out for during the club season.
Macy Bowden is the starting setter for this team and goes to Wapahani High School in Selma, Indiana. Standing at 5 foot 7, this setter establishes the tempo for her team. Her hitters aren’t the tallest or most physical, but what they do have is quickness. Bowden is able to set up a fast offense for her team, dishing a great “go” set to the outside and a quick middle attack.
Diana Cox is their 5’5 libero out of Noblesville, Indiana. Cox is the definition of scrappy defense. Nothing hits the floor without a touch on this kid. Watching her live this weekend, Cox has incredible eye work when reading the defense. She is able to use her vision to fill the seam in the block and suck up any hits on the court coming her way.
Hannah Grile is a 5’7 outside hitter from Pendelton High School. This athlete is fast off the ground and has a mean step close to her approach. Although being a bit undersized, she is still able to put up a formidable block and reach her hands over the net to penetrate opponents’ air-space. This outside is able to move the ball around and has a gnarly line swing.
Emma Dodson Emma Dodson 5'10" | OH Westfield | 2023 State IN is their second starting outside hitter standing at 5’10. Dodson goes to Westfield High School and has all the shots. She moves well around the court and is able to find the open hole in the defense when going up to swing.
Ava Harris is a 5’9 pin hitter out of Noblesville, Indiana. This versatile athlete is able to play either on the outside or opposite position for her team and manages to find kills in clutch situations.
Emilee Hill Emilee Hill 5'9" | S Yorktown | 2023 State IN is a 5’10 setter and hitter from Yorktown. She is able to better every ball she touches and is that utility player for this Munciana team.
Kendra Keesling is a local product out of Munice and goes to Delta High School. Keesling is a 5’6 is a middle hitter.
Holli Klettheimer is a 5’10 middle hitter and the only person on her team in the class of 2024. There’s a good reason why Klettheimer is able to play up in her age group and it’s because of her quickness. This high flier is able to catch blockers off-balance due to her fast arm swing and tempo 1 set to the middle.
Gretchen Moore is Munciana’s second middle hitter from Yorktown, Indiana. Standing at 5’10, she and Klettheimer are the go-to hitters when their offense is in-system. Their setter Bowden loves to fire that fast set to the middle and Moore more often than not is able to find the hardwood. Moore gets great soft blocks for her team which allows for their defense to play effectively and transition into their high-speed offense.
Ava Rundle is a 5’3 defensive specialist also out of Noblesville. Rundle pursues every ball and is able to pass up to target in serve receive.
Lilly Vester is a 5’5 defensive specialist out of Yorktown, Indiana. Vester possesses a soft touch to the ball which helps her team with great passes and defensive pursuit.