Columbus East’s Addison Emery passes the ball against Bloomington North Aug. 15, 2023 at Columbus East.
The Republic file photo
Columbus East and Hauser are among four area volleyball teams with new coaches this fall.
Here is a look at those and other area teams heading into the 2024 season:
Columbus East
Former East player Allison (Ransdell) Eagleman takes over a program that slipped to 10-22, including 3-3 in the Hoosier Hills Conference last season.
“I feel like the girls are really stepping up and coming out of their shell,” Eagleman said. “I think they’re looking great. I feel like we’re going to have a strong season, I hope.”
The Olympians lost five key seniors, but return nine players from last year’s varsity. Senior Kimberly Carothers is back as a right side and outside hitter, senior Rahianna Logan moves from middle hitter to the outside, juniors Lilah Klei and Chloe Gill return outside and junior Anika Jenkins is back in the middle.
Sophomore Krea Martin moves from setter to back row, and senior Addison Emery moves from back row to libero. Senior Lauren Smith and senior Jenna Thomas return in the back row, and Thomas also could play right side hitter.
Freshman Jillian Chapple and sophomore Audrey Bush will step into the setting position. Junior Chandler Harris could see action in the middle.
“Some of these girls played club over the winter and just really developed,” Eagleman said. “I’m happy with what I’m seeing so far.”
Columbus North
The Bull Dogs are coming off one of their best seasons in several years, and with the core of their lineup returning, are vying for their first sectional title in school history.
“That’s the major goal,” North coach Jenna Ortega said. “We have a group of girls that are knowledgeable and on the same page, and we’re working every day to hit that goal. We’re hoping to make school history.”
Columbus North’s Kennedy Horn spikes the ball against Bloomington North Aug. 29, 2023 at Columbus North.
The Republic file photo
Kennedy Horn, a 6-foot-3 senior, is back in the middle, and 6-1 junior Karen Dutro returns on the outside. Junior Sydney Ousley saw action on the outside and right side, and junior Elaina Penrod played in the middle and right side last season. Freshman Addy Dean, the sister of former East standout and current University of Illinois player Gabby Dean, could play on the outside or right side.
Both setters return in seniors Reese Edwards and Holly Evans. Junior Morgan Osborn is back at libero, and senior Ally Wettschurack and junior Hannah Perry — who is recovering from an injury — return at libero. Senior Lucy Wilson could play on the right side and back row.
“We have a lot of versatility this year,” Ortega said.
The Bull Dogs went 17-13 and tied for second in Conference Indiana with a 3-2 record last season.
“We had a pretty good offseason,” Ortega said. “I had several girls play club, and we had a good summer. With the group of girls we have, we’re super excited. I think with us having so many returning players and knowing what we have to look forward to, the girls are better prepared,” Ortega said. “We’re hopeful for a better season than last year, but we’re going to take it one game at a time.”
Hauser
When longtime coach Jeff Case stepped down last month, his daughter Erica Raisor took over. Raisor was head coach at Waldron for two years and JV coach at Hauser for seven years. Case will remain on as an assistant.
“It’s always been my goal to come back and coach after I left,” Raisor said. “I wanted to get back into my roots. My kids go to school here at Hauser. My husband and I went here. We’re black and white (the Jets’ school colors) through and through.”
Hauser’s Maley Jordan (10) goes up for a block at the net against North Decatur’s Madi Allen Sept. 26, 2024 at Hauser High School.
The Republic file photo
Hauser went 19-13, including 6-0 in winning the Mid-Hoosier Conference, but was hit hard by graduation and a transfer. The Jets have only three varsity returners in senior middle hitter Maley Jordan, senior back row and outside hitter Baylee Riley and junior middle hitter Charleston Gelfius.
Sophomore Leah Manley and junior Reagan Mack take over at at setter, and sophomore Ruby McKinney steps in at libero. Sophomore Kaidenze Shoaf will play outside and right side hitter, and junior Kaysie Kistler could play in the back row and possibly front row.
“We have a handful of really good girls,” Raisor said. “Numbers are small, but energy is what’s going to take them places. We’re definitely a young team, but the energy that each one of them brings helps the sense of urgency to be the last one standing. They’re working really hard in the gym.”
Columbus Christian
While many IHSAA schools are playing scrimmages Thursday and can’t play regular-season games until Saturday, the non-IHSAA Crusaders already have a preseason tournament and their season opener under their belt. They beat Fortune Academy in straight sets on Tuesday.
Junior Emma Murray moves from the middle to outside hitter, and junior Mara Nickerson moves from right side to setter. Junior Abby Dora also returns as a setter, while junior Bella Frederickson and Madyson Murray are back in the middle.
Senior Emma Sewell returns on the right side, and junior Yana Foster and senior Paige Harden are back on the outside. Sophomore Katie Bond moves from the right side to the middle, and freshman Emma Rice steps in as the libero.
Columbus Christian will look to improve on a 3-13 record, including a 1-5 mark in the Southern Roads Conference.
“A lot of the girls are returning, so hopefully, we’re jelling more as a team this season and maybe being more consistent,” Columbus Christian coach Savannah Spurgeon said. “We had a lot of good moments last year, but then maybe making it more consistent this year in hopes to get some more wins.”
Jennings County
The Panthers have a new coach in LeAna Matern, a 2007 Jennings graduate who coached at the middle school for four years and has been the Panthers’ JV coach the past four years.
Six varsity players return to a team that went 19-13, including 4-2 in the HHC.
“We had a great offseason, a great summer,” Matern said. “We have a great group of returning players and incoming freshmen.”
Senior Avynn Belding is back in the middle, and senior Mallory Manowitz returns at libero. Sophomore Aylah Belding and junior Abrey Belding are back outside, junior Sydney Kegley is back on the right side and junior Addison Martin returns at setter.
Freshman Lydia Martin will play on the right side, and sophomores Paige Hack and Lily Franks could see action in the back row. Senior Ava Ebbing and Lauren Hauersperger will provide depth.
“We had a great team camp, and we’ve built off of that as we’ve started our season,” Matern said. “We have some big lofty goals, looking at taking down some teams we haven’t taken down in a number of years.”
Brown County
The Eagles will look for improvement under new coach Amanda Doss after going 1-24, including 0-9 in the Western Indiana Conference. Doss, a former player and assistant coach at Brown County, was the freshman coach at Columbus North last year.
Senior setter Grace Johnson and sophomore libero Zoe Jackson are the lone returning starters. Junior Ella East in the middle and senior Erin Fish Murphy on the right side also played some varsity.
Junior Aubree Denton, who played as a freshman and missed last season with an ACL injury, will play setter and outside hitter.
Junior Cami Eddins will play in the middle and right side, and junior Hailee Darnell could see action outside. Sophomore Isabelle Henderson will play in the back row, and junior Emmy Oswald steps into the middle or right side.
“We have a little bit of experience coming back,” Doss said. “The overall energy of the group is really positive, and coming out of last year with that one singular win, there’s a lot of fight in them. I’m excited to watch them.”
South Decatur
The Cougars have high hopes with most of their lineup returning and the addition of senior middle hitter Aniston Bostic, a transfer from Hauser.
South Decatur went 17-8, including 3-2 in the MHC and lost to Oldenburg Academy in four sets in the sectional final.
“After being in the championship the last few years, I think they’re ready to claim that title this year,” South Decatur coach Devin Clark said. “They’re ready for it.”
Junior Zsophia Sharp and sophomore Taylor Somers return in middle, although Sharp could move to the right side with the addition of Bostic. Senior Makayla Somers is back at setter.
Senior Paige McQueen returns on the outside, sophomore Elizabeth Bennett plays outside and right side and senior Daisy Martin is back on the right side. Senior Lydia Witkemper returns at libero.
“I thought I was excited for last season,” Clark said. “With this season, with Aniston coming in and mixing her in with Z and the other girls, this team is amazing. They have a drive in them I haven’t seen in a long time.”
Edinburgh
The Lancers return only two varsity players from a team that went 12-19, including 2-4 in the MHC.
Junior Kenna Streeval is back at outside hitter. Sophomore Elizabeth Hernandez, who played in the back row, likely will be the libero.
Edinburgh coach Kristi Allen plays to use two setters and set out of the back row. Sophomore Kinzie Purvis will be a setter and play in the middle, and freshman Adalynn Ramey will be a setter and play in the back row.
Junior Gracie Lawson steps in on the outside, senior Delanie Buccos will play in the back row and senior Lexi Riley could play on the right side. Freshman Gracelyn Adcock will play in the middle, and freshman Elliot Smith could see action in the middle and right side.
“We’re definitely a young team,” Allen said. “We’re learning, but a lot of excitement, a lot of willingness to learn and grow. We’re kind of in transition between graduating those four seniors and bringing the younger players along this year.”
Trinity Lutheran
The Cougars figure to be loaded with a quartet of four-year starters and six returning regulars from last year’s 19-16 team.
Senior setter Addie Darlage, senior libero Laura Roeder, senior middle Carson Bowling and senior Madison Keith, who moves from the middle to outside, have started since they were freshmen. Senior Ava Blomenberg also is back on the outside, and junior Maddie Adams returns in the back row.
Junior Bailey Bonde steps in on the right side, freshman Rachel Bonde will play in middle and sophomore Presley Meyer will see action in the back row. Beyond that, a few other sophomores are battling for spots in the rotation.
“We have a lot of talent coming back in every position,” Trinity coach Janet VanLiew said. “We’re kind of piecing everything together right now, just seeing what our strengths are and working on those and working on our weaknesses. I think by the end of the season, we’ll be ready to go.”
2024 volleyball schedules for Bartholomew County schools:
Columbus East
Tuesday at Bloomington North, 7:15 p.m.
Aug. 22 at Franklin, 7:15 p.m.
Aug. 24 vs. Jeffersonville, 11 a.m.
Aug. 27 at Seymour, 6:45 p.m..
Aug. 31 at Bloomington South Invitational, 9 a.m.
Sept. 3 vs. Jennings County, 6:45 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Providence Early Bird Tournament, 9 a.m.
Sept. 9 vs. Shelbyville, 6:45 p.m.
Sept. 12 vs. Providence, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 17 at Bedford North Lawrence, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 19 at New Albany, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Center Grove, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 26 vs. Floyd Central, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Cathedral Irish Invitational, 9 a.m.
Oct. 1 vs. Bloomington South, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 3 at Columbus North, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Madison, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Roncalli, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 12, East Invitational, 9 a.m.
Columbus North
Tuesday at Seymour, 7:15 p.m.
Aug. 22 vs. Shelbyville, 7:15 p.m.
Aug. 24 at Franklin Central Invitational, 9 a.m.
Aug. 27 vs. Trinity Lutheran, 7:15 p.m.
Aug. 29 vs. Roncalli, 7:15 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Bloomington South Invitational, 9 a.m.
Sept. 2 vs. Greenwood Christian Academy, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 3 at Bloomington North, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Hauser, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 5 vs. Martinsville 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 10 vs. Southport, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Scottsburg, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Terre Haute North, 11:15 a.m.
Sept. 17 vs. Floyd Central, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 19 vs. Jennings County, 6:15 p.m.
Sept. 24 vs. New Albany, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Floyd Central, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Hauser Heritage Days Classic, 9 a.m.
Oct. 1 at Bedford North Lawrence, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 3 vs. Columbus East, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Bloomington South, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Franklin, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Terre Haute South, 11:15 p.m.
Hauser
Saturday at Morristown Invitational, 9 a.m.
Tuesday at Jennings County, 7:15 p.m.
Aug. 22 at Jac-Cen-Del, 6 p.m.
Aug. 24 at Henryville Round-Robin, 9:30 a.m.
Aug. 27 vs. South Ripley, 7:15 p.m.
Aug. 29 at Indianapolis Lutheran, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 4 vs. Columbus North, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 5 at Batesville, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 10 vs. Morristown, 6 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Shelbyville, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 13 vs. Borden, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 16 at Seymour, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 17 at Brown County, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 19 vs. South Decatur, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. Waldron, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Southwestern (Shelby), 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Trinity Lutheran, 7:15 p.m.
Sept 28, Hauser Heritage Days Classic, 9 a.m.
Oct. 1 at North Decatur, 6:45 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Greensburg, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 3 vs. Rushville, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 8 vs. Edinburgh, 7:15 p.m.
Columbus Christian
Thursday vs. Suburban Christian, 7 p.m.
Monday at Horizon Christian, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 23-24 at Arthur (Ill.) Christian Classic, TBA
Aug. 30 vs. Legacy Christian, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 3 vs. South Decatur, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 6 vs. Pleasant View Christian, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 vs. Cannelton, 3:15 p.m.
Sept. 9 at Christian Academy of Madison, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 13 at Fishers Christian, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Southwestern (Shelby) Tournament, TBA
Sept.16 vs. Medora, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 17 at Bloomington Lighthouse, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 19 at Seven Oaks Classical, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Martinsville Tabernacle Christian, 6:45 p.m.
Sept. 28 in Southern Roads Conference tourney at Medora, TBA
Oct. 3 at Crothersville, 7:15 p.m.
