Columbus East and Columbus North figure to be improved this volleyball season after posting losing records last fall. Hauser and Columbus Christian also are expected to be strong again after returning virtually everyone from teams that made postseason runs.
The season opens today when Columbus Christian plays the Columbus Hawks at Foundation For Youth. IHSAA schools begin the week of Aug. 19.
Here is the outlook for those and other area volleyball teams for the 2019 season:
Columbus East
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The Olympians have added a trio of promising freshmen to go along with a host of returners from a team that finished 10-21 last season.
"They’ve been very surprising with the summer that they’ve had," East coach Stacie Pagnard said. "The kids that played club did really well. We had a really successful time at the Purdue camp. This is probably overall one of the most talented freshman classes I’ve had wherever I’ve been."
The Olympians return three senior starters in outside hitters Allison Mack and Rilee Jessee and senior setter Mady Foster.
"They’ve kind of been staples in our program the past three years," Pagnard said. "Rilee had an incredible club season. They’re all motivated, and they’ve been great leaders. Hopefully, they’re going to take us to the next level."
Junior middle hitter Regann Jessee also returns to the lineup. Sophomore Cadence Gilley will set in 6-2 offense. Sophomore outside and right-side hitter Reece Whitehead and sophomore right-side hitter Katy Jordan also saw action last season, along with seniors Samantha Hutcheson and Kendall Schaefer.
Gabby Dean, a 6-foot-4 freshman, has drawn interest from Big Ten and SEC schools and will step into a middle hitter role. Freshman Kenzie Foster takes over at libero, and freshman outside hitter Saige Stahl also figures to see varsity action. Junior outside hitter Lexia Capes is up from the JV.
"I think the biggest thing is that we have a lot of experience coming back," Pagnard said. "The key is going to be finding the right lineup and the right rotations that work night in and night out. Our bench is as deep as it’s ever been, and that’s a testament to the work that these kids have put in over the offseason, and it’s a good thing for the future."
Columbus North
The Bull Dogs lost arguably their top four players from a team that went 10-18 and reached the sectional final. But plenty of other players who saw varsity action return.
"They’ve looked strong," North coach Caitie Greiner said. "We’ve been working hard all summer. We chose not to have a freshman team this year, so we have a lot of depth with our varsity and our JV teams. We did lose a lot of key players from last year, but we have so much depth returning that I’m excited."
Senior outside hitter Emma Tynan senior right side and middle hitter Gabby Genth, senior defensive specialist Carley Finke and sophomore middle hitter Sarah Bennett were regular rotation players the entire season. Senior setter Kate Whaley and senior libero and defensive specialist Jalynn Reardon also played key roles for the Bull Dogs.
Looking to play bigger roles this season are senior outside hitter Lauren Opalka, sophomore setter Reagan Kane, junior middle hitter Madison White junior right side or middle hitter Madi Roop, junior defensive specialist Ava McKinney and sophomore defensive specialist Sydney Cooper.
"Everyone on our roster this year has seen some playing time, if not varsity, then in practice last year or throughout our summer leagues," Greiner said.
North finished runner-up this year in the Hauser Summer League.
"The girls have the skill set, and the maturity is definitely there because we do have an older roster," Greiner said. "Having six seniors that are pretty decent veterans, I think we have the potential to go far."
Hauser
The Jets return their entire roster from a team that went 21-15 and won Mid-Hoosier Conference and sectional championships.
Hauser, which won this year’s Hauser Summer League, has been moved into the Edinburgh Sectional after winning titles on its home floor the past nine years.
"We had a really good summer," Hauser coach Jeff Case. "I’m really happy with the improvements individual players have made, and I’m pretty excited about the year. We have the opportunity to get our 10th sectional in a row, so we’re pretty pumped about that."
Returning to the lineup are junior middle hitter Hannah Johnson, junior setter Aunaka Wasil, senior outside hitters Kylie Lock and Shelby Fugate, senior libero Melanie Taylor, senior middle hitter Olivia Wright, senior defensive specialist Mary Branum and junior right-side hitter Marnie Schwarzkopf.
Sophomore defensive specialist Andie Clark, junior outside hitter Sophia Musillami, sophomore middle hitter Stephanie Meek and sophomore setter Abby Branum also saw a little varsity action last season. Freshman setter Adriana Musillami will split time between varsity and JV.
"We’re really happy with how we’re looking," Case said. "It’s a really deep team. We have backups at all the positions."
Columbus Christian
The Crusaders had a big season last year. They went 29-8-2, won the inaugural Southern Roads Conference regular season and tournament titles, won an Indiana Christian Schools Athletic Association regional championship and fell to Victory Christian in ICSAA state final.
Columbus Christian went 27-2 against Indiana teams before playing in the Division II bracket of the National Association of Christian Athletes Tournament in Tennessee.
"We have several strong girls coming back, and we have a very strong outlook on what our season can be this year," Columbus Christian coach Sarah Stair said. "I definitely believe that if these girls fight hard we can be back on top this year."
The Crusaders looked like they would have all seven players returning, but top hitter Mayah Schundelmier moved and now is playing at Greenwood Christian Academy.
The returners are senior outside hitter Ellie Ridder, senior middle hitter Lauren Hunnicutt, junior setter Hannah Stair, junior outside hitter Madison Henderson, freshman libero and defensive specialist Kayla Jones and freshman right-side hitter and setter Emily Stair. Columbus Christian received a boost from the adddition of senior middle hitter AnnMarie Gandy, who played for the Columbus Hawks last year.
"The things that we are focusing on most in practice are serve receive, defense and serving," Sarah Stair said. "I believe any team that can be solid in those three areas is more likely to have success."
Columbus Hawks
The Hawks, a local team of home-schooled players, played in the Division 4 bracket of the NACA Tournament and finished their season 5-13.
"We finished strong last year," Hawks coach Chris Lorimor said. "We’re really working to build on that momentum."
Returning to the lineup are senior outside hitter Hailey Beth Rutledge, senior outside hitter and libero Elisabeth White, freshman middle hitter Lila Hudson and freshman setter Sarah Lormior. Sophomore setter McKiah Shearer started some games last season.
Senior outside hitter Abby Planalp and senior middle hitter Natalie Arnold will move into the lineup this season.
"We’re excited," Chris Lorimor said. "We have several more girls this year. We’re up to 21 girls, so we have a junior high schedule as well as a JV and a varsity schedule."
Jennings County
The Panthers will look to improve on a 12-16 season.
Senior middle hitter Abi Vogel, senior libero Hanah Bertram, senior outside hitter Caitlin Hurley, junior outside or right-side hitter Liz Ertel, junior setter Carmen Kopitzke, junior defensive specialist Karma Warren, junior middle hitter Grace Ramey and junior right side and outside hitter Shelby Wilson return from last year’s rotation.
Sophomores Kylee Boardman and Lucy Ernstes could step into an outside hitter role. Junior Alaina Young could play some as a defensive specialist.
"We’re older," Jennings coach Blakli Hukill said. "We have a bunch of juniors and seniors. We have really great passing, and then our hitting is strong. We just have to get more consistent. My team is a very sweet team, and we need to learn to get a little bit more gritty."
Brown County
The Eagles made it to the sectional final last season before falling to eventual Class 3A state runner-up Northview. But only two rotation players return from that 17-8 squad.
Senior outside hitter Chloe Lee and senior setter Abigail Hollander are the returners. Senior outside hitter Myka Snyder, who played as a freshman, is back after sitting out the past two years.
Freshman Abigail Watson and junior Lauren Akles will step into middle hitter positions. Junior Natalie Suding and freshmen Londyn Koester and Milly Patrick are battling for the libero spot; while senior Addison Branson and juniors Kylie Herald and Abigail Angebrandt are vying for the right-side hitter position.
Also looking to contribute are junior defensive and serving specialist Whitney Clark, sophomore setter Abigail Bowman and freshman Mary Rygiel, who could play setter, outside hitter or defenisve specialist.
"I’m really excited about this freshman group coming up," Brown County coach Jessica Robertson said. "They have a lot of potential. They just need some court time."
South Decatur
The Cougars lost five starters from a team that went 8-17.
Senior setter Whitnye Burton, senior defensive specialist and outside hitter Kalie Fry, sophomore outside hitter and defensive specialist Brook Somers and junior outside hitter and defensive specialist Lana Bell return to the lineup. Junior defensive specialist Lily Rigby played some in the back row.
Junior middle hitter Savannah Bushhorn moves up to varsity this year. South Decatur also added a pair of transfers, with junior libero or setter Ali Jameson, coming in from Greensburg and sophomore middle hitter Lauryn Pate moving in from Jennings County.
"We are regrouping," South Decatur coach Carrie Somers said. "We have a lot of new girls, so we’re trying several different rotations."
Edinburgh
The Lancers have a new coach in Kilah Dickey. Dickey, who played at Tipton, also is the softball coach at Franklin and just got a teaching job at Edinburgh.
Dickey faces a major building task. The Lancers went 1-26 last year and did not play in the sectional because of a lack of healthy players.
Edinburgh has 12 players this season. The returners are senior middle hitter Emily Chappelow, senior outside hitter Paige Burton, sophomore setter Carly Cowan, sophomore libero or defensive specialist Shelby Graham and junior libero or defensive specialst Kaylee Swallows.
Freshman middle hitter Gracie Crawhorn and freshman Gracie Myers will look to make an immediate impact.
"We are working on fundamentals and trying to improve every single day," Dickey said. "We do have some athletic potential."
Trinity Lutheran
The Cougars have high hopes after going 28-10, and falling to eventual Class A state champion Barr-Reeve in the regional. With Barr-Reeve now playing in Class 2A because of the IHSAA Tournament Success Factor, Trinity may have the potential to reach the Class A state finals.
"I believe that we can compete at that level," Trinity coach Faith Wilder-Newland said. "We’re working really hard on our weaknesses right now to make that a possibility. We’re working a lot on team culture and team chemistry."
Senior middle hitter Hannah Sabotin, who has committed to University of Indianapolis, was last year’s The Republic Volleyball Player of the Year. Also returning are junior setter Bailey Reynolds, junior outside or middle hitter Sydney Jaynes, junior outside hitter Kennedy Hoffman and sophomore libero Kamzi Gross.
Junior defensive specialist Elly Carter, sophomore outside hitter Ruthie Bingham, sophomore defensive specialist Kayla Goecker and sophomore Paige Lawrence, who was serving specialist and backup setter, also saw some varsity action last season.
Freshman Bailey Tabeling could play anywhere in the front row. Sophomore Stella Kleffman, who transferred after playing varsity at East last season, will be eligible for the postseason.
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The 2019 volleyball schedules for Bartholomew County schools:
Columbus East
Aug. 20;Bloomington North;7:15 p.m.
Aug. 24;at Jeffersonville;11 a.m.
Aug. 27;Seymour;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 3;at Jennings County;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 7;at Providence Invitational;9 a.m.
Sept. 9;at Shelbyville;6:45 p.m.
Sept. 12;at Providence;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 17;Bedford North Lawrence;7 p.m.
Sept. 19;New Albany;7 p.m.
Sept. 26;at Floyd Central;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 28;at Cathedral Invitational;9 a.m.
Oct. 1;at Bloomington South;7:15 p.m.
Oct. 3;Columbus North;7:15 p.m.
Oct. 5;North-South Invitational at Center Grove;10 a.m.
Oct. 8;at Madison;7:15 p.m.
Oct. 10;Roncalli;7:15 p.m.
Oct. 12;East Invitational;9 a.m.
Columbus North
Aug. 20;Seymour;7:15 p.m.
Aug. 22;at Shelbyville;7:15 p.m.
Aug. 27;Perry Meridian;7:15 p.m.
Aug. 29;at Roncalli;6:45 p.m.
Sept. 3;Bloomington North;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 5;at Martinsville;6:45 p.m.
Sept. 7;at North Central Invitational;9 a.m.
Sept. 10;at Southport;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 17;at Franklin Central;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 21;at New Albany Invitational;9 a.m.
Sept. 28;at Muncie Central Invitational;9 a.m.
Oct. 1;Bedford North Lawrence;7:15 p.m.
Oct. 3;at Columbus East;7:15 p.m.
Oct. 8;Bloomington South;7:15 p.m.
Oct. 10;Franklin;7:15 p.m.
Oct. 12;Terre Haute North;11:15 a.m.
Oct. 12;Terre Haute South;2:15 p.m.
Hauser
Aug. 20;Jennings County;7:15 p.m.
Aug. 22;at Jac-Cen-Del;7:15 p.m.
Aug. 24;at Henryville Invitational;9 a.m.
Aug. 29;at Indianapolis Lutheran;7:15 p.m.
Aug. 31;at Scottsburg Invitational;10 a.m.
Sept. 5;Shawe Memorial;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 10;at Morristown;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 12;Shelbyville;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 16;Seymour;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 17;Brown County;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 19;at South Decatur;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 21;at Lawrenceburg Tournament;9 a.m.
Sept. 24;Southwestern (Shelbyville);7:15 p.m.
Sept. 26;Trinity Lutheran;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 27;at Waldron;7 p.m.
Oct. 1;North Decatur;7 p.m.
Oct. 2;at Greensburg;7:15 p.m.
Oct. 3;at Oldenburg Academy;7:15 p.m
Oct. 8;Edinburgh;7:15 p.m.
Columbus Christian
Today;at Columbus Hawks (FFY);12:15p.m.
Aug. 17;Evansville Christian;2 p.m.
Aug. 20;at Indiana Deaf;7:15 p.m.
Aug. 24;at South Decatur; 2 p.m.
Aug. 30;at Horizon Christian;6:30 p.m.
Sept. 5;Colonial Christian;5:30 p.m.
Sept. 6;at Martinsville Tabernacle Christian;6:30 p.m.
Sept. 7;Pleasant View Christian;3 p.m.
Sept. 9;Crothersville;6 p.m.
Sept. 10;Southside Christian;5:30 p.m.
Sept. 14;Cannelton;2 p.m.
Sept. 16;at Medora;6 p.m.
Sept. 17;at Bloomington Lighthouse;6:30 p.m.
Sept. 19;Christian Academy of Madison;7:15 p.m.
Sept. 21;at Calumet Invitational;TBA
Sept. 24;Edinburgh;6 p.m.
Sept. 28;at Southern Roads Conference Tourney;TBA
Oct. 4-5;ICSAA South Regional Tourney;TBA
Columbus Hawks
Today;Columbus Christian (FFY);12:15 p.m.
Friday;Fishers Christian Academy;5 p.m.
Aug. 20;at Wabash Warriors;5 p.m.
Aug. 24;at Volleyball Invitational tourney;Noon
Aug. 26;at Suburban Christian;6 p.m.
Aug. 29;at White Creek Lutheran;6 p.m.
Sept. 3;at Madison Christian Academy;5 p.m.
Sept. 6;Northwest Storm;5 p.m.
Sept. 10;at Colonial Christian;6 p.m.
Sept. 13;Martinsville Tabernacle Christian;5 p.m.
Sept. 14;at Wabash Tournament;1:45 p.m.
Sept. 17;at Genesis United;5 p.m.
Sept. 20;Northpoint Panthers;5 p.m.
Sept. 27;at Midwest Tournament;TBA
Oct. 1;at Tippecanoe Tornados;6:30 p.m.
Oct. 4;Heartland Christian;6 p.m.
Oct. 8;at Northwest Storm;5:30 p.m.
Oct. 11;Madison Christian Academy;5 p.m.
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