Academy Summer Showdown Wrap-Up: Westfield
We’ve officially reached the end of the summer league. The Academy Volleyball Club put on a great tournament yesterday, involving 35 teams from all over the state. This gave me the opportunity to see a few more schools (and players)…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve officially reached the end of the summer league. The Academy Volleyball Club put on a great tournament yesterday, involving 35 teams from all over the state. This gave me the opportunity to see a few more schools (and players) that I wouldn’t normally see.
Going into this fall, I knew there might be a massive question mark with the Shamrocks. Graduating twelve (!!!) from last season, who could possibly step in and replace, let alone recreate, the production from their 21-8 record of a year ago? The immediate answer to that question is Logan Mapes (’22, 5-7 S), definitely one of the starting setters in the ’Rocks 6-2 they’ll most likely run. Her footwork is flawless, she gets to seemingly every ball, and defends better than average for her position and class. Being one of only two rising seniors from a season ago, Logan will be asked to lead this young squad. For set one in their first match against Lawrence North, Logan’s counterpart was Lily Stanton (’24, 5-7 S), who, in this author’s estimation, looks to be still growing—as in taller. She takes long strides to get to out-of-system balls, leads by example, and locates the ball quite well no matter the placement of the pass.
Anchoring the defense was Mallory Weber (’23, 5-5 DS/L), who was joined by three-rotation DS Kaylee Sutcliffe (’23, 5-4 DS). Mallory is an exceptional middle-back defender, and gets to a ton of off-speed shots because of her anticipation. Kaylee is a speedy left-back who can play multiple spots on the floor, is calm in serve receive and is a great complement to Miss Weber.
On the left pin were attackers Emma Dodson Emma Dodson 5'10" | OH Westfield | 2023 State IN (’23, 5-10 OH) and Lucy Muntel (’23, 5-9 OH). Emma’s long and lean build has her attacking and blocking taller than her frame, and used her jumping and athleticism to put balls away for the ’Rocks. Miss Muntel’s ability to hit multiple shots in multiple tempi might make her the more refined of the two, yet the two are certainly projected to be serviceable left sides at the next level.
My pleasant surprise to this crew was Dani Schade (’24, 6-1 MB/RS). As a right side, she blocked a ton of balls and caused a few more opponents to alter their attacks and produce points. When moved to the middle, she went pin to pin well, took long strides in transition, and made a huge difference in the outcome by bombing a ton of float serves on the Wildcats. Her run at the end of set two was key in the ’Rocks come-from-behind victory. I’d like to say that Dani will project to be one position or the other, but that would be unfair; she’s great at both.
Others that caught my eye yesterday from Westfield were Olivia Nelson Olivia Nelson 5'8" | S Westfield | 2023 State IN (’23, 5-7 S) and Mallory Neale (’23, 5-4 DS/L). Olivia is a quick and lead-by-example setter that can run a fast offense and turn an out-of-system pass into a hittable ball. Her footwork and speed are key to her success. Mallory is the more vocal of the two, and acts as another coach on the floor. Speedy and willing to do the dirty work, her consistent touches in set two as the ’bro kept a good number of points alive for the ’Rocks.