GJNC Preview: Ignite Elite 17E
Moving right along in our fourteen-part series on teams from Indiana that have qualified, we go WAY up north to “the region”. Ignite Elite’s top 17s team won the Mideast Qualifier American division over a fellow Hoosier team, Circle’s 17…
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Continue ReadingMoving right along in our fourteen-part series on teams from Indiana that have qualified, we go WAY up north to “the region”. Ignite Elite’s top 17s team won the Mideast Qualifier American division over a fellow Hoosier team, Circle’s 17 White squad. Punching their ticket to go back to where the success all happened, here are the prime players for Ignite Elite 17E.
THE PINS
With no commitments to play anywhere in the fall of ’23, this team is wide open for recruitment. We start with a couple of dynamic outsides in Lexi Cripe (’23, 5-9 OH, South Newton) and Jacey Graham (’23, 5-7 OH/DS, Lake Central). Both are solid, six-rotation primary-passing outsides that have unique abilities of their own. Lexi uses her volleyball IQ to anticipate better than most at her height. Jacey is a quick and springy outside that has all of the shots and a whip of an arm.
THE BIGS
Can’t win a qualifier without having some semblance of size. Caprice Jones (’23, 6-0 MB, Hammond Academy of Science and Technology) brings that size and uses her strength and length to defend from pin to pin with ease. Brianne Salinas (’23, 6-0 MB, Lake Central) is your prototypical M2, crushing balls off of two feet with that hammer of an arm. She’s also quicker than the average six-foot middle, beating bigger middles with ease.
THE LITTLES
Everyone knows none of this happens without a solid first contact. Between Mary Grace Marcinek (’23, 5-5 DS/L, Crown Point) and Heather Van Eekeren (’5-5, DS/L, Chesterton), this squad is in good hands (and platforms). Mary Grace is already familiar with winning in high-pressure situations, and has yet to earn less than 25 wins each season she’s played for the Bulldogs. She can play any of the back row positions, and shows a quiet upper body to go with her constantly moving feet. Heather is an excellent serving sub and three-rotation defender, which complements this team well.
THE GENERAL
I have no doubts about Abigail Opilka (’23, 5-6 S, Hanover Central) and her abilities. Part of me thinks that she’s not gained more attention because of her size. For a kid who’s seen varsity time since her freshman year, she’s already ahead of most in the experience department. Surpassing 500 career assists this past fall is a huge milestone for a squad not normally known for their volleyball. The skills are there, the athleticism is above average, and she defends her position well. Small schools will drool over her natural abilities and experience.