Previews for all 19 ECI volleyball teams

Blackford Bruins

Blackford Bruins

Head coach: Courtney Miles (first season)

Last season: 16-18

Varsity returners: Sr. S Kaitlin Nuckols (560 assists, 20 kills, 18 aces, 122 digs); Sr. RS Kirsti Reed (67 kill, 10 aces, 45 digs, 10 blocks); Sr. MB Rachael Baker (117 kills, 11 aces, 69 digs, 23 blocks); Sr. MB Shelby Strine (107 kills, 27 digs, 39 blocks); Jr. L/S Hannah Simmons (5 kills, 17 aces, 56 digs); So. OH Victoria Bauer (11 kills, 21 aces, 75 digs); So. DS Peyton Hiestand (15 aces, 73 digs)

Varsity newcomers: Sr. L Whitney Bliss; Jr. DS/L Maysie Hayden; Jr. OH Darcie Robertson

Varsity departures: MB Madison Crist (228 kills, 33 aces, 220 digs, 60 blocks); DS Amanda Felver (5 kills, 20 aces, 145 digs); OH Krysta Nickols (83 kills, 25 aces, 244 digs, 5 blocks)

Season outlook: “Our main goal this year is building the confidence to persevere the entire length of a match in order to win the series,” Miles says. “We have many returning varsity players who have great potential this season.”

Blue River Vikings

Blue River Vikings

Head coach: ZoeAnn Chernowsky (sixth season)

Last season: 14-18

Varsity returners: Jr. OH Christina Hughes (316 Kills, 69 Aces); Jr. DS Sara Barnes (158 Digs); Jr. L Alyssa Sells (203 Digs, 44 Aces); Jr. OH Hope Crabtree (147 Digs, 39 Aces); So. MB Kyleigh Alcorn (104 Kills, 29.5 Blocks); So. MB Haley Morgan (17.5 blocks, 19 aces); So. S Brenna Morgan (131 digs, 34 aces, 702 assists)

Varsity newcomers: Jr. DS Karen Halstead; Fr. DS Mallery Sharp

Varsity departures: OH Bryanna Graat (297 Digs, 266 Kills, 37 Aces)

Outlook: “We are still a youthful team looking to build on some success from last season,” Chernowsky says.

Burris Owls

Burris Owls

Coach: John Rodriguez (first season at Burris)

Last season: 18-17

Varsity returners: So. DS Tiffany Hollihan (5 assists, 22 aces, 101 digs); Jr. S Lexi Johnson (3 assists); Jr. MB Taylor Harman (108 kills, 4 assists, 6 digs, 62 blocks); Jr. L Isabel Gothard (10 assists, 37 aces, 328 digs); Jr. S Emily Brinkman (187 assists, 3 aces, 12 digs); Jr. OH/MB Taylor Kring (187 kills, 6 assists, 36 aces, 49 digs, 36 blocks); Jr. OH Alyssa Peters (141 kills, 3 aces, 41 digs, 19 blocks); Jr. DS Marissa Dudley (14 aces, 5 digs); Sr. DS Jessica Craig (5 assists, 41 aces, 127 digs)

Varsity newcomers: Fr. OH/MB Abigail Ludwick

Varsity departures: OH Ari Anderson (111 kills, 17 blocks); OH Hannah Brinkman (145 kills, 49 aces, 188 digs); DS Esther Griffin (6 digs); MB Keyonna Morrow (118 kills, 34 aces, 13 blocks); S Mia Robertson (542 assists, 18 aces, 57 digs)

Season outlook: “I really like the effort of our backcourt players,” Rodriguez says. “Passing and defense has to be at a high level in order to bring back the Burris tradition.”

Central Bearcats

Central Bearcats

Coach: Wes Lyon (11th season, 327-54)

Last season: 24-10

Varsity returners: Sr. L Jessica Helms (557 digs, 69 service aces); Sr. DS Suzi Smith (150 digs, 36 service aces); Jr. OH Allyson Young (117 kills, 68 digs); So. MB Micah Leavell (199 kills, 38.5 blocks); So. OH Nikki Marshall (65 kills, 23 service aces)

Varsity newcomers: Sr. S Catherine Smith; Sr. DS Jordyn Cline; Jr. OH Savannah Jackson; Jr. MB Jordan Pointer; Fr. S/RS Lacee Adams; Fr. OH Kincaid Padgett; Fr. OH E’laisha Young

Varsity departures: S Sarah Dale (1,069 assists, 40 aces, 194 digs); OH Kaitlin Kerrigan (225 kills, 195 digs, 36 blocks); Jaydn’ Pegues (561 kills, 35 aces, 321 digs); OH Katiana Wilbanks (17 kills, 9 digs, 5 blocks)

Season outlook: “With 68 percent of the offense and the setter gone from last year, new players need to step up and become offensive threats,” Lyon says. “Our ball control and serving should help us stay competitive until the offense develops.”

Cowan Blackhawks

Cowan Blackhawks

Head coach: Pancho Alvarez (second season, 27-10)

Last season: 27-10, Class A state champions

Varsity returners: Sr. MB Kristina Flowers (213 kills, 44 blocks, 130 digs); Sr. DS Makayla Miller (144 digs, five aces); Sr. S Allie Curtis (44 digs); Sr. DS Kelsie Mace (93 digs, 11 aces); Jr. L Valorie Flick (738 digs, 25 aces)

Varsity newcomers: Jr. MB Diane Campbell; Jr. RS Mahalia Flick; Fr. S/RS Gabby Harrington; Jr. RS Alaya Miller; OH Jr. Caitlyn Kimbrough; Jr. DS Kelsey Harrington; Fr. MB/OH McKenzie Howell; So. S Abigail Huff; Fr. DS Taylin Oxley

Varsity departures: MB Mallory Bruner (229 kills, 48 blocks); OH Audrey Jones (147 kills, 45 aces, 79 digs); DS Jessica Mace (124 kills, 284 digs); S Madisen Mangus (905 assists, 60 aces, 153 digs); MB Kyanne Stewart (189 kills, 65 blocks)

Season outlook: “Hard work, motivation and defensive discipline will be the foundation of this team’s success,” Alvarez says. “Distribution of the ball and ability to terminate have been the focus during the summer, first several days of practice and will continue to be as the season progresses.”

Daleville Broncos

Daleville Broncos

Coach: Justin Richman (fourth season)

Last season: 18-15

Varsity returners: Sr. S Rosie Weber (792 assists, 178 digs, 102 aces); Sr. OH Lauren Wilson (214 digs, 346 kills); Sr. MB Meredith Witty (188 kills); Jr. OH Baylee Wright (25 kills); Jr. DS Erin Allen (151 digs, 26 aces); Sr. OH RuthAnne Shellabarger (5 kills, 3 aces); Jr. DS Lauren Irelan (7 digs, 21 aces); Jr. MB Hannah Huff (52 kills); Jr. L Hannah McKinney (195 digs, 51 aces)

Varsity departures: L Jayda Morris (535 digs, 31 assists kills)

Season outlook: “We finally have established experience and a gym culture,” Richman says. “Now we have to use that to our advantage by starting fast and finishing strong.”

Delta Eagles

Delta Eagles

Coach: Heidi Zickgraf (sixth season, 110-57)

Last season: 17-13

Varsity returners: Sr. S Madison Bergren (952 assists, 172 digs), Sr. M Marissa Elam (213 kills, 58 blocks), Jr. L Teaghan Dishman (33 aces, 610 digs), Jr. DS Ericka Pursley (227 digs), So. OH Kaylee Nichols (119 kills, 62 digs), So. OH Audrey Woodin (143 kills, 22 blocks, 50 digs), So. DS Sarah Ogle (218 digs, 39 aces), Jr. DS/S McKenzie Sulfridge

Varsity newcomers: Sr. OH Emily Langguth, FR. DS Gabby Zgunda, FR S Kelsee Roe, FR. M Rebecka Vannatta, FR OH/MACamryn Campbell, So. OH/MA Maci Pickering, Sr. DS Alex Kennedy

Varsity departures: OH Destiny Coleman (7 kills); OH Lauren Cross (6 kills); OH Lauren Ogle (310 digs, 48 aces); MB Taylor Wright (341 kills, 59 blocks)

Season outlook: “The chemistry of the team will play a huge part this season,” Zickgraf says. “Several newcomers will be asked to play big roles and how they jell with the returning players is yet to be determined.”

Jay County Patriots

Jay County Patriots

Coach: Fred Medler (19th season)

Last season: 11-23

Varsity returners: Jr. OH Mallory Houck (67 kills, 207 digs); Jr. MB Bre McIntire (194 kills); Jr. MB/RS Emily Westgerdes (44 kills); OH Abby Wendel (83 digs); Jr. MB Ava Kunkler (121 kills); Jr. OH Kylie Osborne (150 kills)

Varsity newcomers: Jr. S Jessica Kerrigan; Jr. DS Faith Parr; So. OH Mallory Marshall; Jr. RS Michelle Wellman; Fr. S Lizzy Schoenlein

Varsity departure: S Hannah Ainsworth

Season outlook: “We will be young and interesting to watch this season,” Medler says. “Our success this season will depend on how much we have grown up, how well we respond to other teams and our ability to drive ourselves when things are not quite going our way.”

Monroe Central

Golden Bears

Monroe Central Golden Bears

Coach: Kelsey Brandl (second season)

Last season: NA

Varsity returners: Sr. DS Morgan Engle; Sr. DS Shaylee Stigleman; Jr. OH Lexi Hosier; So. S Zoee Kear; So. MB Morgan Haney; So. MB Emmarae Roberts; So. RS Mikaela McGrath; So. DS Maleah Huser

Varsity newcomers: Jr. DS Destiny Cope; So. OH/MB Andrea Butler; Fr. OH/RS Katarina DiBiasio

Varsity departures: OH Luren Muzzarelli; MB Abigail Silvers; DS Erin Hodge; OH Haley Fields; OH/RS Kayla Bogue

Season outlook: “We have a great group of players returning with a pair of strong seniors and a core group of youthful players,” Brandl says. “The culture of Monroe Central volleyball has begun to change and just the overall atmosphere is much more team-oriented and very strong.”

New Castle Trojans

New Castle Trojans

Coach: Randy Gardner (second season, 33-3)

Last season: 33-3

Varsity returners: Sr. OH Lauryn Gillis (583 kills, 259 digs, 85 blocks); Jr. MB Payton Anderson (266 kills, 58 blocks); Sr. MB Laryssa Welch (232 kills, 75 blocks); Jr. L Brianna Heffernan (357 digs, 22 aces); Sr. OH Megan Milikan (3 kills, 14 digs, 6½ blocks); Sr. S Abbey Renner (69 assists, 10 digs); Sr. DS Ashley Criswell; Jr. OH/DS Jennifer Barr (8 digs); Jr. DS Courtney Barr

Varsity newcomers: Sr. RS Allie Sabo; Jr. S Kiley Lingenfelter (1,137 assists, 53 aces, 100 digs, 27 blocks at Wapahani)

Varsity departures: OH Shae Baugh (29 kills, 35 blocks); DS Melinda Brunck (189 digs, 20 aces); OH Ciarra Leath (181 kills, 37 aces, 288 digs); S Taylor Patterson (1,115 assists, 157 kills, 232 digs, 49 blocks)

Season outlook: “This team should be better than last year’s team with the additions and seasoned players we have along the net, and our team chemistry will be better,” Gardner says. “Our strength should be our depth on the offensive end and our weakness could be our ball control early on this year.”

Randolph Southern Rebels

Randolph Southern Rebels

Coach: Chelsea Gibson (fourth season)

Last season: 18-15

Varsity returners: Sr. OH Mikayla Knoll (117 kills, 138 digs); Sr. DS Shianna Knoll (185 digs); Sr. OH Maddie Kramer (167 kills, 298 digs); Sr. DS Kara Snyder (131 digs); Jr. OH Morgan Gibson (154 kills, 31 blocks)

Varsity newcomers: Jr. MB Kylee Knotts; Jr. OH Mariah Rhoades; So. MB Ali Kosisko; So. DS Molly O’Connor

Varsity departures: Setter Hannah Franklin (563 assists, 276 digs); OH Taylor York (148 kills, 469 digs)

Season outlook: “The girls are all having fun and playing together,” Gibson says. “I believe the season will be enjoyable and competitive.”

Shenandoah Raiders

Shenandoah Raiders

Coach: Adam Leach (12th season, 211-121)

Last season: 11-22

Varsity returners: Sr. L Adrianne Trennepohl (127 digs); Jr. OH Micah Kimball (158 kills, 217 digs, 31 aces); Jr. L Ellie Rider (311 digs); Jr. RS Hanna Pugsley (138 kills)

Varsity newcomers: Jr. MB/OH Rachel Krathwohl; Fr. MB Avarie Powell; Fr. S Claire Trennepohl; Fr. S Rachel Axsom; So. MB/OH Brea Townsend; Fr. S Madison Wilson; Fr. OH Macee Rudy; Jr. RS Madison Mousty

Varsity departures: OH Andi Hise (166 kills); S Makayla Roseberry (543 assists); DS Jenna Conyers (98 digs)

Season outlook: “We will have plenty of talented newcomers who will need to respond well to being thrown into the proverbial fire that is ECI volleyball,” Leach says. “Our returners are preparing for the next level. We will be building a team with the highest expectations, while seeking our own identity.”

Southside Rebels

Southside Rebels

Coach: Adam Havice (11th season)

Last season: 8-20

Varsity returners: Jr. OH Hannah Wilhoite; Jr. OH Madison Smith; Jr. DS Danielle Nelson; Jr. OH Kashala Meadors; So. OH/MB Alayz’a Wright; So. DS Rachel Curtis; So. S Alexus Ray; So. OH Savannah Benslay; So. MB Ashley Skidmore; So. DS Breanna Antrim

Varsity newcomers: Fr. S Mekayla Johnson; Fr. MB Aaliyah Benning; Fr. DS Catie Reel; Fr. MB Jeniya Strong; Fr. MB Tazmyn Pegues; Fr. OH Adrianna Hardy

Varsity departures: DS Elizabeth Allison; S Brandi Montgomery; MB Jasmine Sutton; DS Lacey Whitted

Season outlook: “We have a lot of potential,” Havice says. “Our goal is to play hard and compete in every match.”

Union Rockets

Union Rockets

Coach: Crystal Key (first season at Union)

Last season: 16-20

Varsity returners: Sr. S Lisa Rodriguez (768 assists, 534 digs, 80 aces); Sr. OH Courtney Kinnaman (394 kills, 270 digs, 23.5 blocks); So. OH DeAnn Kauffman (306 kills, 40 aces, 398 digs); Sr. OH Mianna Casto (85 kills, 156 digs); So. RS Lexi Shore (12 aces, 86 digs); Sr. DS Aubrey Lindsey (255 digs); Sr. DS Heidi Holaday (90 digs); Sr. Hayley Nicholas (14 aces)

Varsity newcomers: Sr. MB Candise Deck, Fr. MB MacKyndsea Burke, Fr. MB Faithlan Ellis, Sr. DS Courtney Johnson, Fr. DS/S Becca Glaser, Jr. DS Taylor Johnson, Fr. DS Delaney McPhee

Varsity departures: OH Katie Lambert (362 digs, 43 aces)

Season outlook: “The Rockets will be returning several key players from last year, along with adding some youth who have some promising potential,” Key says. “Senior leadership will need to be strong as they direct the younger players to a successful season.”

Union City Indians

Union City Indians

Head Coach: Pam Thornburg (second season, 0-23)

Last season: 0-23

Varsity returners: Sr. S Kelsea Miller (146 assists, 55 digs); Sr. L Lyndsay Pearson (259 digs); Sr. MH Brittany Osborne (89 blocks, 42 kills, 10 aces); Sr. OH Brooke Bissell (27 kills, 47 digs); Sr. RH Brittany Sigler (30 kills,62 digs); Jr. MB Raelynn Mills (117 blocks, 24 kills, 10 aces)

Varsity newcomers: Jr. MH Reagan Bradbury, Michaela Dean, So. OH Hannah Lambdin, Fr. OH/MH Courtney Wise

Varsity departures: DS Delia Ulloa (94 digs); MH Mackenzie Beam (15 kills, 56 blocks); OH/DS Natasha King (74 digs, 10 aces, 16 kills); Makayla Honn (25 digs, 10 kills)

Season outlook: “We will impress a lot of people this year with our improvement,” Thornburg says. “We have grown so much since last year and with the addition of a few talented freshmen we should have a good season.”

Wapahani Raiders

Wapahani Raiders

Coach: Jared Richardson (first season)

Last season: 33-4, Class 2A state champions

Varsity returners: Sr. OH Lindi Thomas (468 kills, 214 digs, 37 aces); Sr. MB/OH Courtney Mitchell (215 kills, 99 total blocks, 32 aces); Sr. OH/MB Courtney Masters (24 kills, 54 total blocks); Jr. L Katie Foster (103 digs, 42 aces); Jr. OH/MB Addison Reynolds (23 kills, 24 blocks)

Varsity newcomers: Jr. S Megan Hicks; Jr. DS Courtlinn Boggs; So. DS Hannah Smith; Fr. OH/MB Chase Curry; Jr. DS/OH Ryhan Webster

Varsity departures: OH Aubreigh Applegate (475 kills, 375 digs, 45 blocks); OH Brittany Cline (266 kills, 124 digs, 52 blocks); MB Caitlyn Curry (1 kill, 2 blocks); DS Shawna Estep (34 aces, 49 digs); S Mackenzie Evans (212 assists); L Paige Williamson (495 digs, 32 aces); S Kiley Lingenfelter (1,137 assists, 53 aces, 100 digs, 27 blocks)

Season outlook: “Moving into 3A there will be new obstacles to overcome, but this team is made up of talented volleyball players with a will to win,” Richardson says. “New faces will need to step up in key positions and play pivotal roles this season.”

Wes-Del Warriors

Wes-Del Warriors

Coach: Biff Wilson (fifth season, 102-43)

Last season: 20-14

Varsity returners: Sr. OH Myranda Foster (18 kills); Sr. DS Natalie Heaton (418 digs, 46 aces); Sr. OH Maddie Prather (134 kills, 150 digs, 51 aces); Jr. OH Mariah Berry (50 kills); Jr. OH Megan Clark (105 kills); Jr. DS Chloe Kinsey (191 digs); Jr. DS Kristen Lansing (93 digs); Jr. S Kennedy Petro (799 assists, 237 digs); Jr. MB Mackenzie Whitehead (185 kills, 52 blocks); Soph. OH Alysa Sutton (182 kills, 135 digs, 60 aces)

Varsity newcomers: So. OH/MH Emily Hale; So. OH/MH Perrie Smalley; So S Haylie Spencer; Fr. DS Morgan Prather

Varsity departures: Sr. DS Allie Doster (194 digs); Sr. OH Hannah Sneed (207 kills, 93 digs)

Season outlook: “The Warriors return the bulk of last year’s young squad,” Wilson says. “This experience should be beneficial with the Warriors’ tough schedule. Our goal is to show consistent improvement throughout the season and challenge for a sectional championship in October.”

Winchester Falcons

Winchester Falcons

Head coach: Julie Smiley (first season back after two years off, fifth season overall)

Last season: 24-8

Varsity returners: Sr. MB Delaney Miller (266 Kills 78 Blocks); Sr. OH/MB Bailey Gates (206 Kills, 131 Digs); Sr. S Brandi Marquis; So. OH/DS Emily White (165 Digs); So. MB/OH Leah Malkey (54 Kills)

Varsity newcomers: Sr. L Hayley Myers; Jr. OH/DS Brianna Weist; So. RS/S Kaitlyn Chipley

Varsity departures: OH/MB Payton Smiley (314 Kills, 59 Aces, 228 Digs); S Chelsi Wall (769 Assists, 64 Kills, 137 Digs); MB/OH Kim Brutchen (59 Kills, 78 Digs, 28 Blocks); RS Lauren Peacock (33 Kills, injured most of season); DS Shelby Irelan (28 Aces, 95 Digs)

Season outlook: “While we will miss our seniors from last year, this team has the potential to maintain the solid performance seen from the Falcons last year,” Smiley says. “Last year’s libero is transitioning to an outside hitter, and we have a few new players who have big shoes to fill, but I have confidence in them.”

Yorktown Tigers

Yorktown Tigers

Coach: Stephanie Bloom (sixth season, 161-23)

Last season: 35-4, Class 3A state runner-up

Varsity returners: Sr. S Taylor Zwickl (308 digs, 73 kills, 53 aces); Sr. MB Rachel Hines (37 digs, 206 kills); Sr. RS Nicole Phillips (25 kills, 11 digs); Sr. DS Halle McKibben (35 digs, 11 aces); Sr. OH Kyleigh Brumley (31 digs, 13 kills, 10 aces); Junior MB Carson Malapit (42 digs, 149 kills); Jr. OH Karli Acree (204 kills, 131 digs, 39 aces); So. S Mimi Arrington (154 digs, 25 aces).

Varsity newcomers: Jr. OH Marlee Castner; Jr. DS Gabi Upchurch; So. DS Jade York; So. DS Brooke Hildreth; So. DS Kate Avila; Fr. OH Kendall Murr.

Varsity departures: OH Nikki Box (378 kills, 44 aces, 327 digs); OH Courtney Chowning (262 kills, 105 digs, 27 blocks); DS Harlie Holding (454 digs, 39 aces); DS Katie Miller (185 digs, 35 aces)

Season outlook: “This year presents a different challenge now that we’re competing in 4A,” Bloom says. “We have varsity returners who are excited about this new challenge and know what it takes to win along with newcomers who are pushing our upperclassmen to continue to compete at a higher level.”

—Compiled by Thomas St. Myer