Winning volleyball programs set to begin seasons today

HANCOCK COUNTY — The 2023 season was an impressive one on Hancock County’s volleyball courts.

It may have lacked a conference or sectional championship, but it proved all four programs can be major players in Indiana’s high school volleyball scene.

New Palestine, after losing its top hitter, blocker, setter and libero from a 25-5 team the previous season, showed they reload instead of rebuild. The Dragons had the county’s most victories, finishing the year with a 26-6 record.

Under first-year coach Candice Wyatt, Greenfield-Central won its first 12 matches and finished 22-8, including a three-set victory over New Palestine.

Playing one of the state’s toughest schedules, Mt. Vernon went 17-16, beat Greenfield-Central twice, split five-setters with New Palestine, and reached the sectional final before losing to perennial powerhouse Yorktown.

Eastern Hancock was another sectional finalist in Class 2A and also was part of the 20-win club with a 20-9 record, matching the program’s win-loss record in 2021.

Here’s a look at the 2024 versions of each team:

Eastern Hancock

Cory Rainbolt begins her 10th season and is seeking more than just a fourth straight winning season.

The Royals have had three straight 6-3 seasons in the Mid-Eastern Conference. It was good enough for fourth place last year, but Rainbolt believes she has the team that could get to the top.

“We have big goals this season,” Rainbolt said. “The past two years we have been fourth in the MEC. Our goal this season is first.”

Rainbolt would also like to redeem last season’s sectional championship loss to Scecina, a team it could face again in the postseason.

To reach those goals, the Royals have most of their top players back, but will miss All-MEC and All-Hancock County player Brooklyn Willis.

They do return top hitters in senior outside Kaitlyn Lowes and senior middle Ellie Meyer.

Lowes was named all-conference and all-county. She was seventh in the MEC in kills (289) and was in the top 10 in digs (240) and service aces (51). Meyer was second-team all-county.

Middle hitter Cami Knight is back after leading the team in blocks. Meyer was second.

Four of the team’s five players that reached triple digits in digs are back. Alana Eastridge, a first-team all-county defensive specialist, led the team in 2023 with 372. Lowes (240), Hayden Collins (236) and setter Briar Vancamp (174) were all strong on the passing and defensive end.

Collins, Lowes, Vancamp, Knight and Eastridge ranked Nos. 1-5 in service aces.

The team has a lot of size, too. Knight, Meyer and senior Lainee Parker, another returnee, are all 5-11.

Frosh outside hitter Josie Hunt is a newcomer that could make a difference.

“”We are going to be exciting to watch this season,” Rainbolt said. “We have a really special team. The connection and love they share will not only help them succeed on the court but also create bonds and memories they’ll cherish long after the season is over and that makes my heart happy.”

Greenfield-Central

After having five coaches since 2018, the Cougars look to have some stability with second-year coach Wyatt, who is a local product out of Knightstown.

“Having me back as coach, it’s a familiar feeling for them and they know what I expect of them,” Wyatt said. “After having such a successful season last year they’re like, ‘Let’s keep the ball rolling. We’ve got to make this year just as good and competitive.’ I think they are hoping to meet or exceed expectations that we set last year. Hopefully last year is the standard of what we can have in Greenfield volleyball going forward.”

Wyatt will miss graduated outside hitter Mya Grigsby, the two-time Hancock County Player of the Year, but a more balanced attack will have a lot of weapons for veteran setter Makenna Rankins.

Grigsby had an HHC-best 443 kills, nearly twice as many as the second most on the Cougars. She’s playing collegiately at IU-Kokomo.

Outside hitter Rilee Roland (222 kills, 291 digs) and middle hitter Madison Sonsini (131 kills, 61 blocks) were second team all-county choices last year. Six-footer Sonsini is moving to the right side this season. Another middle hitter, Harper Holden, returns after a season of 167 kills and 45 blocks.

The Cougars have added some size with 6-1 middle hitter Lili Jeffries, a transfer from Irvington Prep Academy where she had 175 kills and 110 service aces a year ago.

Rankins averaged 9.6 assists per set and had 883 on the year. She’s one of five seniors, joining Roland, Sonsini, Holden and Jeffries.

“The biggest thing is we have a lot of returning varsity players and have five seniors all with varsity experience,” Wyatt said. “It’s nice that it’s not necessarily a rebuilding season even though we did lose Mya. A lot of our offense is going to be with the same hitters.”

Alex Muegge is an outside hitter that should get significant time on the court. She played some a year ago as a freshman and is expected to be a full rotation player as a sophomore.

Along with Grigsby, Alex’s older sister, right side hitter Katie Muegge, and libero Finnley Greene graduated from last year’s team.

The defensive specialist/libero roles will be where the Cougars are a little less experienced with juniors Addison Blomberg and Addi Rugenstein and sophomore Demi Muegge, a cousin to Katie and Alex.

Mt. Vernon

The Marauders lost some top players to graduation, but have plenty of experience returning from a squad that was one upset away from reaching the regional.

Outside hitter Easton Wampler was the team’s top hitter (240) and an all-conference, all-county selection. No. 2 hitter Sophia Damer, a middle, had 185 and a team-high 63 blocks. They graduated two other varsity veterans in defensive specialist Ainsley Baer and outside hitter Kate Ferguson.

Coach Samantha Grider returns a number of vets, many that have been with her in each of her three seasons as the MV coach.

Senior setter Ava Whitmore, another all-conference, all-county choice, is in her third season as the starter. She had 804 assists and averaged 7.8 per set last season. All-county libero Aubry Dowling (344 digs), outside hitter Sierra Holverson (160 kills, 211 digs) and middle hitter Alivia Morgan (176 kills) are beginning their third varsity seasons and are still just juniors.

“I’m really excited for this junior class to be upperclassmen this year,” Grider said. “They can take some reigns with some leadership roles.”

Middle Olivia Johnson (103 kills, 61 blocks) is in her fourth season on the varsity team. Another senior, Avery Delello, had 221 digs last season. Five returning players, including Whitmore with 200, had at least 200 digs in 2023.

“I’m really excited, defensively, this year,” Grider added. “I have a lot of different players that can play a lot of different positions and our offense is starting to pick up pace.”

Jaycee Jones, a junior outside and right side hitter, and sophomore Vizma Erkmanis, a defensive specialist/setter are both expected to have bigger roles this season. Junior Jasmine Henderson, a transfer from Fishers, can add some power to the attack and also play in the back row.

“Consistency has been our big word at practice this year, staying consistent and trying not make as many errors,” Grider said. “Last year we talked about when we were on we crushed people, but the moment we’re off, errors just started to compile. This year we’ve talked about staying even, level-headed as possible.”

New Palestine

The Dragons, again, graduated top hitters, but like other county programs, they have plenty of returnees to give them high hopes for 2024.

“Our varsity is really deep. I’ve got 14 kids dressing and they are all right there. They are all ready for varsity,” coach Kelli Gabehart said.

The Dragons graduated all-conference, all-county outside hitter Bella Brownfield (316 kills, 288 digs), all-county middle hitter Rachel Burke (229 kills, 44 blocks) and right side hitter Nyla Lewis (122 kills).

They have plenty of strong, young hitters returning, but the strength of the New Palestine team may come from its back row.

Junior libero Azure Flagle, an all-conference, all-county choice, had 499 digs. Senior defensive specialists Makaeli Johnson (249) and Kyndra Montieth (220) were both strong on the defensive side.

Johnson, Montieth and outside hitter Josie Corbett, a lefty, are the team’s only seniors. Corbett had 106 kills a year ago.

Junior Natalie Sevier is the top returning hitter with 186 kills. Junior middle Hayden Ramsey, a 6-footer, had 185 kills and a team-high 50 blocks in 2023.

Getting the ball to the attacker was junior setter Samantha Gooding. A rare sophomore starter at that position for Gabehart, Gooding, who is also ranked No. 1 in her class academically, didn’t disappoint as a youthful quarterback on the floor. She had 989 assists, averaging 10.3 per set, second best in the HHC. She also had 159 digs and 44 kills.

There should be some newcomers helping, too. Caylee Brown is a sophomore middle hitter and Elena Cook is a 6-1 freshman right side hitter.

Junior Grace Tippit is expected to a strong role player at an outside hitter spot.

“We want to finish in the top of our conference and we have a new sectional this year,” Gabehart added.

With a decrease in enrollment, the Dragons have moved from Class 4A to Class 3A. They avoid powerhouse Yorktown in the 4A sectional, but will have to face one of the state favorite’s in 3A, Roncalli.

“Our girls are very intentional in practice every day,” Gabehart said. “… We want to be a team that puts in the work all throughout the year and not one that tries to turn it on right at the end of the season. Everything that we are doing is to be great and hopefully win a sectional. We know if we beat Roncalli, it’s anybody’s game after that.”

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2024 Volleyball Schedules

Eastern Hancock Royals

Date;Opponent;Time

Aug. 17;at Morristown Classic;10 a.m.

Aug. 19;vs. North Decatur;6 p.m.

Aug. 22;at Connersville;6 p.m.p

Aug. 24;at Shenandoah Invitational;9 a.m.

Aug. 26;vs. Wes-Del;6 p.m.

Aug. 29;at Greenfield-Central;6 p.m.

Sept. 3;vs. Shenandoah;6 p.m.

Sept. 5;at Blue River Valley;6 p.m.

Sept. 10;at Union;6 p.m.6

Sept. 11;vs. Wapahani;6 p.m.

Sept. 14;at Tri;6 p.m.

Sept. 16;at Randolph Southern;6 p.m.

Sept. 17;at Southwestern;6 p.m.

Sept. 19;vs. Monroe Central;6 p.m.

Sept. 23;vs. Cowan;6 p.m.

Sept. 28;Eastern Hancock Invite;9 a.m.

Oct. 1;at Daleville;6 p.m.

Oct. 3;vs. Lapel;6 p.m.

Oct. 7;vs. Triton Central;6 p.m.

Oct. 8;vs. Knightstown;6 p.m.

Oct. 15;Sectional;TBD

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Greenfield-Central Cougars

Date;Opponent;Time

Aug. 17;vs. Waldron;11:30 a.m.

Aug. 19;at Scecina;7:30 p.m.

Aug. 21;vs. Greensburg;7:30 p.m.

Aug. 24;at Covenant Christian Invitational;9 a.m.

Aug. 28;at Richmond;7:30 p.m.

Aug. 29;vs. Eastern Hancock;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 3;at Delta;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 5;vs. New Palestine;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 7;at Shondell Family Invitational (Burris);10 a.m.

Sept. 10;at Greenwood Christian Academy;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 12;vs. New Castle;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 17;vs. Mt. Vernon;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19;at Shelbyville;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23;at Lawrence Central;7 p.m.

Sept. 25;vs. Yorktown;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 28;Cougar Challenge (G-C);9 a.m.

Sept. 30;at Muncie Central;7:30 p.m.

Oct. 3;vs. Pendleton Heights;7:30 p.m.

Oct. 5;at Fishers;9 a.m.

Oct. 8;vs. Anderson;7:30 p.m.

Oct. 10;vs. Triton Central;7:30 p.m.

Oct. 15;at Pendleton Heights Sectional;TBD

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Mt. Vernon Marauders

Date;Opponent;Time

Aug. 17;at Greenwood;11:30 a.m.

Aug. 19;at Cathedral;7:30 p.m.

Aug. 21;at Noblesville;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 22;vs. Heritage Christian;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 24;at Western Boone Tournament;9 a.m.

Aug. 27;at Guerin Catholic;7 p.m.

Aug. 28;vs. North Central;7:15 p.m.

Aug. 29;at Pendleton Heights;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 3;at Southport;6:45 p.m.

Sept. 5;vs. Delta;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 10;at Brebeuf;7 p.m.

Sept. 12;vs. Yorktown;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 17;at Greenfield-Central;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19;vs. New Castle;7 p.m.

Sept. 21;at Zionsville Invitational;10 a.m.

Sept. 23;vs. Westfield;7:15 p.m.

Sept. 25;vs. Triton Central;7 p.m.

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

Oct. 1;at Fishers;7:15 p.m.

Oct. 3;at Shelbyville;7:15 p.m.

Oct. 7;vs. Perry Meridian;7:30 p.m.

Oct. 10;vs. New Palestine;7:15 p.m.

Oct. 12;at Carmel Invitational;9 a.m.

Oct. 15;at Pendleton Heights Sectional;TBD

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New Palestine Dragons

Date;Opponent;Time

Aug. 17;at Scecina;10 a.m.

Aug. 19;vs. Connersville;5:30 p.m.

Aug. 20;at Greenwood Christian Academy;5:30 p.m.

Aug. 22;vs. Guerin Catholic;5:30 p.m.

Aug. 24;at Southport Invitational;9 a.m.

Aug. 28;vs. Hamilton Heights;6 p.m.

Aug. 29;at Whiteland;5:30 p.m.

Sept. 4;at Warren Central;6 p.m.

Sept. 5;at Greenfield-Central;6 p.m.

Sept. 11;vs. Lutheran;5:30 p.m.

Sept. 12;at Triton Central;5:30 p.m.

Sept. 14;at Greenwood Invitational;9 a.m.

Sept. 17;vs. Delta;6 p.m.

Sept. 18;at Perry Meridian;6 p.m.

Sept. 19;vs. Pendleton Heights;6 p.m.

Sept. 23;at Mooresville;5:30 p.m.

Sept. 26;at New Castle;6 p.m.

Sept. 30;vs. Franklin Central;6 p.m.

Oct. 1;vs. Yorktown;6 p.m.

Oct. 5;at Richmond Invitational;9 a.m.

Oct. 7;vs. Noblesville;6 p.m.

Oct. 8;vs. Shelbyville;6 p.m.

Oct. 10;at Mt. Vernon;6 p.m.

Oct. 15;at Roncalli Sectional;TBD