CLASS-BY-CLASS PRESEASON TOP PICKS 1. Roncalli (30-4, 4A regional champion)
We are wrapping up our first week of 2024 high school girls volleyball coverage by ranking the top-5 teams in each class. It’s not a way-too-early rankings, but it’s still kinda-too-early.
The IHSAA volleyball season starts Aug. 17.
CLASS 4A
How many more matches will Hamilton Southeastern add to its 67-match win streak?
1. Hamilton Southeastern (33-0, 4A state champion)
I’ll have more on the the two-time defending state champion Royals in the coming weeks, but the title window remains wide open.
2. Homestead
(26-10, 4A regional runner-up)
The Spartans were the only team to win multiple sets vs. HSE last season, pushing the Royals to the brink in the regional championship match. They have holes to fill behind senior Purdue commit Addy Tindall (434 kills, .306 hit%) on the attack, but Kate Jacquay reprises her role as setter (716 assists) and fellow senior Madelyn Sipe (413 digs, 50 aces) returns a season-plus of varsity experience as libero/defensive specialist. There’s also middle Ava Tindall (another senior) at the net. Her 39 blocks (32 solo) are tops among returns; she also had 70 kills.
The road to semistate runs through Sectional 8 (HSE), but we’ll cross that bridge when it comes.
3. Zionsville (26-7)
HSE remains the favorite in 4A, but don’t sleep on the Eagles. They’re stacked and capable of rocking the state volleyball picture.
4. Center Grove
(27-6, 4A regional runner-up)
I’m high on the duo of Ellen Zapp and Reese Dunkle at hitter, plus rising sophomore Anabelle Schembra at setter.
t-5. Castle
(34-4, 4A state runner-up)
The Knights have a really talented core returning, led by 6-0 junior Emma Bruggenschmidt. The multi-sport standout — she’s a tremendous softball player — is top returning attacker (251 kills, .244 hit%), while her 63 total blocks rank fourth. Yeah, Castle should have an advantage over most teams at the net again this season with 6-2 Dayton commit Addisen Gallentine (166 blocks), 6-0 Emma Watson (121) and 6-0 Arkansas State commit Maya Joska (68) all entering their senior year. Joska will likely handle setter responsibilities after sharing those duties last season.
t-5. McCutcheon (25-8, 4A)
Setter Lexi Shondell (753 assists) and hitters Reanna Lee (241 kills, .376 hit%) and Maezi Snyder (134 kills) form a good base for the offense and give the Mavs a couple towers at the net. Establishing a new libero is tops on the 2024 to-do list.
t-5. Yorktown
(27-6, 4A regional runner-up)
Maintaining positive vibes and hoping for a full recovery by IU commit Charlotte Vinson, who was hospitalized with a serious illness earlier this year. She’s an incredible talent: 759 kills (.297 hit%), 316 digs, 41 total blocks and 56 aces as a junior. Fellow senior Ariane Wright adds depth to the attack, while Texas A&M commit Addi Applegate (544 digs, 34 aces) will command the traditionally powerful defense.
One to watch
FW Carroll (26-7, 4A sectional champion) — The Chargers should have the attackers with Bailey Sinish (470 kills, .325 hit%), Sarah Stegall, Addi Shippy, Chloe Herschberger and Lola Sasse all returning. It remains to be seen who’ll step in at setter to run said offense.
Notable newcomers
Bellmont (34-3, 3A state runnerup) — MaryKate Scheumann is a special talent, but the Braves graduated basically all their other key contributors. Alyssa Gumbel is another one to watch.
Providence (31-5, 3A state champion) — Addison Smith steps in as setter and will be tasked with quarterbacking a largely retooled attack. Abby Julius leads the team with 159 kills (.258 hit%).
Class 3A
Realignment did a number on 3A, for better and worse. The Royals are capable of challenging for a spot opposite HSE in the 4A final.
2. Angola
(33-2, 3A sectional champion)
The Hornets went five sets with Bellmont and while they graduate three major pieces in Morgan Gaerte, Mya Ball and Macy Oberlin, they return quite a bit, as well. Maya Harris (316 kills, .274 hit%) will captain the attack with Ava Harris at setter. Anna McClure is an experienced libero and 5-11 middle Bailey Holman provides some size at the net.
3. NorthWood
(32-5, 3A regional champion)
The Panthers will be nothing if not experienced with returning seniors at basically every position. Claire Payne (348 kills, .401 hit%), Sophia Barber and Tatum Evers lead the attack, Payne was also excellent at the net (76 total blocks, 62 solo) and Anna Roeder (513 assists) is poised to step in as the team’s primary setter.
4. Silver Creek (24-10, 3A)
The 6-foot tandem of Addison Makun (306 kills, .371 hit%) and Brooklynn Renn gives the Dragons an advantage over most teams at the net (they combined for 217 blocks last season). They spearhead the attack, too, working alongside Abby Larson and Kessa Kemmer, with Shelbi Oxley at setter. Defensive specialists Ava Kopf and Aryn Heeke bring quality experience to the back row.
t-5. FW Concordia Lutheran (20-11, 3A)
Emily Hickle figures to step into a larger role on the attack with 6-0 middle Cienna Lapsley (309 kills, .260 hit%). Kate Hellinger returns as libero, while junior Keira Dommer enters her third season as setter (she should clear 2,500 career assists by year’s end).
t-5. Hamilton Heights (24-7, 3A regional runner-up)
The Huskies graduated just one senior from last year’s drought-ending run. (eyes emoji)
t-5. Tri-West
(25-10, 3A regional champion)
The Bruins have two of the best in the state with junior Izzy Masten and sophomore Caroline Ward. Molly Garver returns for her senior season at setter.
One to watch/notable newcomer
Cathedral (29-5, 4A sectional champion) — Two massive losses to graduation, but the Irish have a lot of young talent in the system.
Class 2A
This state tournament is going to be good fun for the entire family. My goodness.
1. Benton Central
(32-2, 3A regional runner-up)
The Bison encountered the Bellmont buzzsaw last season, but they are built for similar (and sustained) success moving forward. Hitter Cali Foster (372 kills, .390 hit%) and libero Bella Widmer (361 digs, 40 aces) are both juniors and will have another season with 5-8 setter Riley Hoaks (610 assists), who shares the position with junior Izzy Adams (472 assists).
t-2. Barr-Reeve
(25-9, 3A regional runner-up)
Addison Jones, Lanie Graber, Karter Burris and Hannah Bledsoe all racked up over 200 kills last season — Jones had 345 on a .341 hit% — and all four are slated to return this fall. Add in setters Josie and Hallie Knepp (847 assists combined), plus defensive specialist/ libero Kennedy Huff and you have a lineup that’s more than capable of raising chaos in 2A.
t-2. Brownstown Central (24-14, 2A state runner-up)
Sophie Wischmeier (447 kills) garnered first team all-state honors last season as a sophomore, and senior libero Jaydynn Yeadon garnered second team plaudits (576 digs, 32 aces). That’s a great start and nearly their entire supporting cast returns, a group which includes junior setter Finley Wheeler (630 assists), senior middle Kinzee Dean (48 blocks, 208 kills; also a standout basketball player) and Addison Darlage (219 kills).
4. Western Boone (20-9, 3A)
I do not recommend betting against Raegan Durbin.
t-5. Muncie Burris (31-4, 2A state champion)
There are vacancies at libero and setter, but all-state middle hitter Lilly Howell is a talented 6-2 presence at the net — and the team’s leading returner in kills (366, .475 hit%), solo blocks (37) and total blocks (67) — and Mya Trammell (230 kills, .224 hit%) and Jamaria Jackson (185 kills, .392 hit%) both bring valuable experience at hitter.
t-5. Scecina
(25-12, 2A regional champion)
Back-to-back semistate appearances with last year’s run ended in five sets. The Crusaders are built for one more crack at a trip to Worthen Arena with this crew.
Class A 1. Southwood (32-4, A state champion)
The defending state champs are the odds-on favorites to run it back with basically everyone slated to return. That group is lead by first team all-state honorees Grace Drake (474 assists, 281 kills, .331 hit%, 251 digs) and Shania Rhamy (381 kills, .306 hit%, 87 aces, 371 digs). Hali Pershing (161 kills, .301 hit%), Giulia Colombini and Adi Deaton (402 assists) are also notable returners.
2. Trinity Lutheran (19-16, A regional runner-up)
First team all-state honorees Addison Darlage (801 assists, 68 aces) and Laura Roeder (584 digs, 89 aces) headline a Cougars squad that graduated only three seniors from last year’s team. Carson Bowling and Madison Keith both cleared 300 kills and hit over .230.
3. Loogootee
(22-8, A sectional champion)
The Lions graduated a big piece in Madison Ramsey, but Cacia Wilcoxen is a similarly well-rounded prospect. Breanna Courter returns at defensive specialist and Addy Lengacher reprises her role as setter. Their regular-season schedule typically takes them through the toughest teams in Southeastern Indiana, which should have this group ready come tournament time.
4. Springs Valley (27-4, A)
Junior Maddie Carnes is the top returner for the Blackhawks, providing a do-it-all talent for this group to build around. She was among the team leaders in kills (359), aces (61), blocks (30), digs (349) and assists (574).
5. Greenwood Christian (24-14, A regional champion)
The Cougars have a tough sectional with Lutheran, but they have the pieces for another deep postseason run, led by Aiva and Faith Kresge and Addisyn Yoder.
One to watch
Faith Christian (30-4, A regional runner-up) — The Eagles’ top attacker graduated and their second-leading attacker, Maya Layton, transferred. But setter Olivia Barber returns, as do libero Caya Stillings and middles Anna Riley and Molly Miller.
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.