Spiking Success: Volleyball teams look for another big season

Last year was a productive year for area volleyball teams. Four of the eight local schools that are part of the IHSAA won sectional titles.

Those teams will look to repeat this season, while the others hope to take that next step. Here is a look at each entering the 2023 season:

Columbus East

The Olympians took advantage of a new sectional alignment and home court advantage for its Class 4A sectional to win a title. But they lost four key seniors from that team, including two-time Republic Player of the Year Gabby Dean, who now is playing at Illinois.

“We’re working hard,” East coach Ellyn McIntosh said. “They’ve been in the gym quite a bit. We obviously lost quite a bit from last year, but the girls that are back are working hard. We do have some room for improvement, but we’ll get there.”

Three key players do return from last year’s team that went 20-13, including 2-4 in the Hoosier Hills Conference. Senior Chloe Gilley, who moves from defensive specialist to libero, has committed to Indiana State. Senior Caroline Frost returns in the middle, and senior Jenna Guse is back on the outside.

“Those three are the ones that have the most varsity experience,” McIntosh said. “Jenna was primarily basketball this summer, so she didn’t get quite as many touches as those girls this summer.”

Senior Savanna Sullivan and sophomores Lilah Klei and Chloe Gill are battling for outside hitting spots. Sophomore Anika Jenkins, a transfer from Columbus Christian, and sophomore Chandler Harris are battling for the other middle hitter spot. Sullivan also could play on the right side, along with juniors Kimberly Carothers and Rahianna Logan.

Freshman Krea Martin takes over at setter and could get help from sophomore Kenzi Cheek.

Juniors Jenna Thomas, Addison Emery and Lauren Smith could see action in the back row. Senior Brooke Leslie is another option on the outside or right side.

“We have some competition in pretty much all of our spots,” McIntosh said. “One thing that these girls do pretty well is compete. We’re not going to be very big, but we’ve been working all year on our defense. We might get overlooked by our size and because of what we lost last year, but these girls work hard and they get out there and they compete.”

Columbus North

The Bull Dogs will look for a winning season after going 11-17, including 1-4 in Conference Indiana.

“It’s been a really good summer so far,” North coach Jenna Ortega said. “We’ve had a few with injuries, but we’re hopeful that we’ll get those girls back. I’m hopeful for a good season this year. We’re really excited as a whole.”

Columbus North’s Karen Dutro hits the ball during a sectional volleyball match against Franklin at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2022.

The Republic file photo

Sophomore Karen Dutro and junior Kennedy Horn return in the middle. Senior Kaitliin White is back on the outside and right side.

Senior Kaitlyn Mabis returns in the back row and right side. Sophomore Elaina Penrod will play on the outside and right side.

Juniors Reese Edwards was one of the setters last season and will be joined in the 6-2 offense by junior Holly Evans. Senior Roselynn Venegas will play as a defensive specialist.

Senior Anna Kute, a transfer from Seymour, could play on the right side, and sophomore Morgan Osborn, a transfer from Brown County, could be the libero. Junior defensive specialist Ally Wettschurack and junior outside hitter Lucy Wilson also could see action.

“The girls have meshed really well this year with the changes that we have,” Ortega said. “We are so versatile we can make changes, and it’s not going to be a huge change to them. We have a pretty solid group, so I’m excited to see what happens this year.”

Hauser

The Jets made their jump to Class 2A a fruitful one, winning a sectional title. They finished 24-11, including 5-1 in the Mid-Hoosier Conference.

This summer, they finished first in round-robin play and second in the tournament for the Hauser Summer League.

“We’re working on a lot of things,” Hauser coach Jeff Case said. “Really, just the team being together gave us some confidence. I’m really pleased with our team’s chemistry and their attitude.”

Hauser’s Kenze Bostic serves the ball during a volleyball sectional match against North Decatur Thursday at Hauser High School.

Senior Kenze Bostic moves from the middle to outside hitter, and senior Kayden Miller moves from outside to setter. Junior Aniston Bostic and senior Paige McDaniel return in the middle.

Senior Abby Blair and junior newcomer Maley Jordan step in on the right side. Senior Mattie Foster and Gracie Blair are battling for libero and defensive specialist spot.

Junior Norah Berkenstock could see action on the outside, and junior newcomer Haylin Campbell could play setter. Jordan and Campbell are back after taking last year off to focus on softball, helping the Jets reach the state’s final four in 2A.

“We’re glad to have Maley and Haylin back,” Case said. “With Paige, they made a deep run in softball, and that brings a lot of maturity.”

Senior defenisve specialists Dorie Shoaf and Makayla Miller also could see action. Sophomore Charleston Gelfius on the right side and junior Olivia Pribble at defensive specialist likely will split time between the varsity and JV.

“We like the depth we have with the team,” Case said. “We’re a tall team. Paige and Annie are 6-foot, and Kenze is right there.”

Columbus Christian

The Crusaders didn’t lose any seniors from last season’s 7-14 squad, but did lose five underclassmen who either moved or transferred to neighboring schools.

“It looks a little different than we thought it was going to,” Columbus Christian coach Savannah Spurgeon said. “It was kind of back to the drawing board of who we needed to bring up for varsity. But it looks promising with the new people we have coming up to fill those positions.”

The Murray sisters — senior Alexys Murray on the outside, sophomore Emma Murray in the middle and junior Madyson Murray, who moves from outside to middle — all return. So do juniors Paige Harden on outside and Emma Sewell at setter.

Senior Paige Walden steps in on the right side. Sophomores Yana Foster outside, Bella Fredrickson in the middle and Mara Nickerson on right side likely will play larger roles this season.

Seniors Ellie DeFriece at libero and Laura Beth Vandebur in the middle also could see action.

Jennings County

The Panthers will look to build on a 22-9 season that included a 4-2 mark in the HHC.

Senior Charlee Barlow returns on the right side, junior Avynn Belding is back in the midde and junior Mallory Manowitz returns at libero. Sophomore Addison Martin takes over as the main setter, and sophomore Abery Belding is back on the outside and as a defensive specialist.

Freshman Aylah Belding steps in on the outside, and sophomore Sydney Kegley will play in the middle. Senior Chloe Haeufle and junior Ava Ebbings could play as defensive specialists.

Senior Taylor Easton could see action on the right side. Sophomore Kaydence Lowman can play anywhere on the floor, and freshman Lily Franks could play as a defensive specialist.

“We’re figuring some things out,” Jennings coach Toby Harrell said. “I definitely think we’re going to be a more dynamic team this year. We’ll be able to control the speed of the game more this year. I’m coming at it with a different approach than I’ve had to in previous years, and it comes down to the motivation and drive of these girls.”

Brown County

The Eagles have a new coach in Kortney (Thalls) Fowler, a former Columbus East standout who went on to play one year at Indiana Wesleyan. Fowler has spent the past two years as an assistant at Columbus North after one year coaching the fifth- and sixth-graders at Brown County.

Fowler takes over a team that went 11-16, including 7-3 in the Western Indiana Conference.

“It’s a fantastic group of kiddos,” Fowler said. “They come in, and they work hard every day. They’re very coachable. They’re flexible and willing to do whatever. I’m really excited with this group of girls.”

Senior Cady Kemp returns in middle, senior Anna Stogsdill is back on the outside and senior Ava Kelly returns as a defensive specialist.

Junior Grace Johnson, a transfer from Columbus Christian, takes over as the setter. Feshman Lolah Polynice-Castro could play on the outside, junior Arynn Fish could see action on the right side and seniors Marqui Satter and Reva Shugars could play as defensive specialists.

Edinburgh

The Lancers made a run to the regional final in Class A last season. All but one player is back from that squad that finished 20-11, including 4-2 in the MHC.

Senior Kyah Streeval returns at setter, seniors Zoey Sida and Jessica Walsh are back outside and senior MacKenzie Bieker returns in the middle. Sophomore Kenna Streeval is back at libero.

Junior Mia Dodson moves from the right side to the middle. Junior Lexi Riley could step into the right side spot.

Sophomore Elizabeth Richardson-Hernandez could see action as a defensive specialist.

“There’s some good talent there,” Edinburgh coach Kristi Allen said. “We have some girls that midway through the season or at least by the end of the season could definitely pop up. I have some high hopes for the next couple of years.”

South Decatur

The Cougars made a huge jump last season, going from a 1-16 record in 2021 to a 16-14 mark.

Sophomore Zsophia Sharp added a big boost in the middle as a freshman last season. Junior Makayla Somers is back for her third year as the setter.

Senior Molly Eden moves from the middle to the outside or right side, and junior Paige McQueen will play outside and defense specialist. Junior Lydia Witkemper likely will be the libero and also can play defensive specialist or the right side.

Freshman Taylor Somers steps in as a middle. Junior Daisy Martin and freshman Elizabeth Bennett also could play defensive specialist or right side, and sophomore Raygan Harrison could be a defensive specialist.

“We’re extremely young, but I think this year, we’ll be just as good as we were last year, if not better,” South Decatur coach Devin Clark said. “We have a good group of girls. Our team chemistry is amazing this year. The girls are flowing and playing well together this year. Makayla has done a great job this summer leading the team. Between her and Molly and Lydia, I couldn’t ask for better leadership.”

Trinity Lutheran

The Cougars have a new coach in Janet VanLiew. She takes over for Faith Wilder-Newland, who retired following last year’s 23-11 season that included a Class A sectional title.

Juniors Madison Keith, Carson Bowling and Ava Blomenberg all played in the front row last year and will be joined by sophomore Bailey Bonde, a 6-3 move-in from Minnesota. All of them could play middle, outside or right side.

Junior Addison Darlage returns at setter. Junior Laura Roeder is back at libero. Seniors Drew Hubbard at outside and Kiley Zabel at defensive specialist also saw action last season and could play bigger roles this year.

Senior Laina Klinge could play on the right side. Sophomore Maddie Adams could see action as a defensive specialist.

“I think we’ll be very competitive this year,” VanLiew said. “The girls have worked hard, played a lot of club and offseason stuff and we’ve been in the gym a lot this summer. Team camp was very good. It’s a great group of kids. We’ve beefed up the schedule even more, so we’ll be ready come tournament time.”

The 2023 volleyball schedules for Bartholomew County schools: 

Columbus East 

Tuesday;Bloomington North;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 17;at Franklin;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 19;at Jeffersonville;11:15 a.m.

Aug. 22;Seymour;6:45 p.m.

Aug. 28;at Brownstown Central Tournament;9 a.m.

Aug. 28;at Shelbyville;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 29;at Jennings County;6:45 p.m.

Sept. 2;at Providence Early Bird Tournament;9 a.m.

Sept. 7;at Providence;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 12;Bedford North Lawrence;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 14;New Albany;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 19;Center Grove;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 21;at Floyd Central;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 23;at Cathedral Invitational;9 a.m.

Sept. 26;at Bloomington South;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 28;Columbus North;6:45 p.m.

Oct. 3;Madison;7:15 p.m.

Oct. 5;Roncalli;7:15 p.m.

Oct. 7;East Invitational;9 a.m.

Columbus North 

Tuesday;Seymour;6:45 p.m.

Aug. 17;at Shelbyville;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 19;at Franklin Central Invitational;9 a.m.

Aug. 22;at Trinity Lutheran;6:45 p.m.

Aug. 24;at Roncalli;6:45 p.m.

Aug. 28;at Greenwood Christian Academy;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 29;Bloomington North;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 31;Martinsville;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 5;at Southport;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 6;Scottsburg;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 9;at Terre Haute North;11:15 a.m.

Sept. 12;at Franklin Central;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 14;at Jennings County;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 19;at New Albany;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 20;Floyd Central;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 23;at Hauser Heritage Days Classic;9 a.m.

Sept. 26;Bedford North Lawrence;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 28;at Columbus East;6:45 p.m.

Oct. 3;Bloomington South;7:15 p.m.

Oct. 5;Franklin;7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7;Terre Haute South;12:15 p.m.

Hauser 

Tuesday;Jennings County;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 17;at Jac-Cen-Del;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 19;at Henryville Round-Robin;9 a.m.

Aug. 21;at South Ripley;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 24;Indianapolis Lutheran;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 25;at Southwestern (Hanover);7:15 p.m.

Aug. 31;Batesville;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 1;at Shawe Memorial;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 5;at Morristown;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 7;Shelbyville;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 8;at Waldron;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 11;Seymour;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 12;Brown County;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 14;at South Decatur;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 16;at Lawrenceburg Invitational;9 a.m.

Sept. 19;Southwestern (Shelby);7:15 p.m.

Sept. 21;Trinity Lutheran;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 23;Hauser Heritage Days Classic;9 a.m.

Sept. 26;North Decatur;6:45 p.m.

Sept. 27;at Greensburg;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 28;at Rushville;7:15 p.m.

Oct. 3;Edinburgh;6 p.m.

Columbus Christian 

Aug. 19;Kings Academy;2:15 p.m.

Aug. 21;Horizon Christian;7:30 p.m.

Aug. 22;at Indianapolis Metropolitan;7:30 p.m.

Aug. 29;at South Decatur;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 1;at Fishers Christian;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 5;at Horizon Christian;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 8;at Christian Academy of Madison;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 9;at Cannelton;3:15 p.m.

Sept. 11;at Medora;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 12;Bloomington Lighthouse;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 12;Seven Oaks Academy;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 15;Indy Genesis;8:15 p.m.

Sept. 16;at Pleasant View Christian;1 p.m.

Sept. 21;at Martinsville Tabernacle;6:30 p.m.

Sept. 23;at Southern Roads Conference;TBA

Sept. 28;Crothersville;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 29;at Legacy Christian;7:15 p.m.