HOPE — The way Hauser coach Jeff Case describes it, Sydney Schoen brings a focus and intensity to the volleyball court that not a lot of kids possess.
That focus and intensity, along with a special dose of talent, helped Schoen become a big-time player. She is The Republic Volleyball Player of the year.
“She’s really driven,” Case said. “You just can’t put into words how much she meant to the team’s success. She was the backbone of the team through her ball control, hitting, intensity. Just her knowledge of the game, she always knew where she was and where everybody was supposed to be.”
In particular, Schoen knew the Jets were supposed to be in the state finals, and that’s where they finished the season. After losing in the regional her sophomore year and the semistate semifinals last year, Hauser broke through this fall.
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Although they fell to top-ranked Lafayette Central Catholic in the Class A state final, the second-ranked Jets set a school record for wins in a 35-5 season.
“As a team, I feel like we all improved so much,” Schoen said. “We knew what goals we had in mind for the end of the season. It was just an awesome way to end the season being able to play at Ball State in the state finals.”
Schoen was a four-year starter at Hauser, playing all six rotations. She showed her versatility by leading the Jets in kills (328), digs (566) and aces (99) this season. She also ranked second on the team with 54 assists and added 29 blocks.
Following the season, Schoen was selected to play in the Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Class A-2A All-Star Game. She was a Class A first-team All-State selection by both the IHSVCA and the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association.
“I’ve grown as a player from my freshman year to my senior year,” Schoen said. “I feel like I’ve improved a lot, and just being part of this team has helped me grow as a player and as a person. Having Jeff as a coach for four years has been awesome, and getting to play with all my friends and teammates has been awesome.”
Schoen currently is playing with the Vision Volleyball Club, where she drives to Fishers for practices three days a week. Games begin in January, and nationals are in April in California, just prior to the start of her senior softball season with the Jets.
In March, Schoen committed to play volleyball at Eastern Kentucky, where her mother Becky, a Hauser assistant, played from 1987-90. Sydney Schoen signed her national letter-of-intent Nov. 9.
“I’m thrilled,” Schoen said. “I just love the atmosphere down there. All the people are really nice, and the coaches and everyone have been really welcoming. I’m just really excited for the future and being able to play volleyball down there.”
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The Republic All-Area Volleyball team:
Sydney Schoen, Hauser: The senior led the Jets with 328 kills, 566 digs and 99 aces and had 54 assists and 29 blocks.
Sarah Tedder, Hauser: The senior recorded 212 kills, 38 assists, 34 blocks, 402 digs and 64 aces.
Alana Owen, Hauser: The senior led the Jets with 996 assists and had 82 kills, 38 blocks, 218 digs and 75 aces.
Madie Sherman, Hauser: The senior led the Jets with 81 blocks and had 309 kills, 85 digs and 25 aces.
Agustina Fainguersch, Columbus North: The junior led the Bull Dogs with 290 kills and had 40 blocks, 301 digs and 22 aces.
Maddy Sebahar, Columbus North: The junior led the Bull Dogs with 535 digs and had 42 assists and 28 aces.
Lily Meyercord, Columbus North: The junior led the Bull Dogs with 549 assists and 37 aces.
Kendal Williams, Columbus East: The senior led the Olympians with 646 assists and had 73 kills, 20 blocks, 214 digs and 38 aces.
Allison Mack, Columbus East: The sophomore led the Olympians with 263 kills and had 260 digs and 28 aces.
Taylor Tatlock, Edinburgh: The junior led the Lancers with 457 kills and 48 blocks and also had 180 digs and 38 aces.
Hannah Sabotin, Trinity Lutheran: The sophomore led the Cougars with 229 kills, 115 blocks and 39 aces and had 60 digs.
Honorable mention
Brown County: Haley Davidson, Mekenzie Dunnick, Baelyn Koester, Hallee Miller. Columbus Christian: Sabrina Herron, Savannah Herron, Mayah Schundelmeier. Columbus East: C.J. Clausen, Rilee Jessee. Columbus North: Gabby Genth, Lauryn James. Edinburgh: Haley Jones, Sophia Parmer. Hauser: Taylor Henderson, Hannah Johnson, Kylie Lock. Jennings County: Hannah Bertram, Emma Shockley. South Decatur: Taylor Best, Claire Wullenweber. Trinity Lutheran: Courtney Barker, Chloe Criswell.
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