NEW PALESTINE — With a third straight 20-plus wins season, and seven over the last eight years, New Palestine’s volleyball team does more reloading than rebuilding.
Key players are gone from last year’s 25-5 team that went 6-1 in the Hoosier Heritage Conference before suffering an upset loss in the Yorktown Sectional.
“A lot of the credit goes to our feeder program,” New Palestine head coach Kelli Gabehart said. “We’ve got around 70 girls that are fourth grade to eighth grade playing Little Dragon Volleyball. The players (that graduated last year and key players this year), played for me in fifth grade. We have the benefit of when you’re at a program for a long time, and invest in the youth, you see those things pay off. It doesn’t happen overnight, but we see a lot of payoff from that.
“We’re one of the only schools in our conference that still has a freshman team. We have a lot of girls playing New Pal volleyball and we’ve got a lot of interest.”
Gabehart believes that this year’s team has potential for a strong season with the return of other top performers and some talented newcomers.
Most all statistical category leaders from last year are gone, but there were more than a few talented players waiting to take center stage when the opportunity comes.
“My team has a lot of depth this year,” Gabehart said. “We have a very balanced squad. I feel like in years past we’ve had one or two go-to players. This year we’re going to have a lot of players contributing. I think it’s going to be to our advantage. We’re going to be able to spread the offense out and have multiple girls scoring for us.”
Four key players from the 25-win team are gone, including middle hitter Reagan Kleiman, setter Isabella Gizzi, libero Honour Mallory and outside hitter Lauren Wilson. Kleiman, Gizzi and Mallory were All-HHC selections.
Kleiman’s .378 hitting percentage led the HHC, was seventh in Class 4A and 20th in the state. Gizzi’s 856 assists were third in the conference and 12th in Class 4A. Kleiman also led the team in blocks and was co-leader in service aces. Mallory led in digs and Wilson was tops in kills.
Gabehart expects her three seniors, Bella Brownfield, Rachel Burke and Nyla Lewis to lead the way this season.
All were significant contributors last year, Brownfield as an outside hitter, Burke as a middle blocker and Lewis as a right side hitter.
Burke is the top returnee among attackers with 151 kills last season. She also had 40 blocks. Brownfield had 142 kills and tied Kleiman for the team lead in service aces with 52. Lewis had 92 kills a year ago.
“Bella is a crafty player. She can get the ball to wherever you tell her to put it,” Gabehart said. “Rachel will be one of our go-to players in the middle. She’s got that senior leadership and experience that will be valuable for us. (Lewis) is stronger this year, more confident and hitting a harder ball. I’m excited to have that balanced attack on both pins.”
Sophomore Azure Flagle (201 digs) and junior Kyndra Monteith (112 digs) are a pair of varsity veterans in the back row.
“Flagle’s an outstanding passer, has a great touch in serve receive and an incredible defender, too. She’s going to be one of the top players in the county to watch in the back row,” Gabehart said. “(Monteith) is back and she’s more confident and looking pretty good. She’s quick in the back row.”
Sam Gooding, a sophomore, will take over for Gizzi at the setting position. Gabehart said it’s a rarity for her team to have a sophomore at the position.
“She’s one of the taller setters we’ve had. She’s got good leadership skills and nice hands,” the coach said. “Typically, our setters have been juniors when they’ve been varsity setters. Having a sophomore setter, we’re going to throw her in. She’s ready. She plays high-level club.”
Makaeli Johnson is a junior defensive specialist/outside hitter that saw some varsity time last year. Newcomers expected to be quick contributors are junior outside hitter Josie Corbett and sophomore middle blocker Hayden Ramsey.
Others on the varsity roster include junior middle blocker Mallory Green and sophomore outside hitter Natalie Sevier.
“I think we’re going to be competitive this year,” Gabehart said. “Sometimes you look at who we lost and you think New Pal is going to be down this year. We always have girls that step up and that’s no different this year.”
The Dragons open the season Aug. 12, at home, against Scecina. The first match against an HHC opponent is Aug. 31 against Greenfield-Central, also at home.
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2023 New Palestine volleyball schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
Aug. 12;vs. Scecina;12 p.m.
Aug. 14;at Connersville;5:30 p.m.
Aug. 17;at Guerin Cathoilic;6:30 p.m.
Aug. 19;at Southport Invite;9 a.m.
Aug. 22;vs. Greenwood Christian;5:30 p.m.
Aug. 23;at Hamilton Heights;6 p.m.
Aug. 24;vs. Whiteland;6 p.m.
Aug. 30;vs. Warren Central;6 p.m.
Aug. 31;vs. Greenfield-Central;6 p.m.
Sept. 6;at Lutheran;5:30 p.m.
Sept. 9;at Greenwood Invite;9 a.m.
Sept. 12;at Delta;6 p.m.
Sept. 13;vs. Perry Meridian;6 p.m.
Sept. 14;at Pendleton Heights;6 p.m.
Sept. 18;vs. Mooresville;5:30 p.m.
Sept. 21;vs. New Castle;6 p.m.
Sept. 25;at Franklin Central;6 p.m.
Sept. 26;at Yorktown;6 p.m.
Sept. 28;vs. Triton Central;5:30 p.m.
Sept. 30;at Richmond Invite;9 a.m.
Oct. 2;at Noblesville;5:30 p.m.
Oct. 3;at Shelbyville;6 p.m.
Oct. 5;vs. Mt. Vernon;6 p.m.
