MVPs Of The State Finals By Class

Our high school season in the Hoosier State is complete. We had a very entertaining four matches in the four classes representing the entirety of Indiana yesterday, so here’s our take on the best Saturday offered by graduating class. We will list each winner, possible honorable mentions, position, school, result of the match, and all statistics associated with each player. Class of 2024: [player_tooltip player_id="110498" first="Lola" last="Schumacher"], libero, Brebeuf (five-set loss), 23 digs I’ve personally worked two matches Lola played in this fall, and watched the most highly competitive match of the day yesterday in the Braves’ matchup against Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger. In my humble opinion, it was hard to judge Miss Schumacher’s age because of the quiet confidence she played with on the biggest stage. This freshman is no longer a freshman, and, time and again, was the reason Brebeuf stayed in rallies. In their previous match against Silver Creek, balls that were landing for points for SC in the beginning of the match were being dug up by Lola by the end, a sign of in-match adjustments that only the most experienced players make. This kid is mature beyond her years, and she still has THREE MORE YEARS to get better. Class of 2023: [player_tooltip player_id="115069" first="Emilee" last="Hill"], setter, Yorktown (four-set win), 38 assists, 13 digs, 6 kills, .545 Another player where I personally worked two matches of hers this fall, Emilee’s transformation into primary setter is no fluke. Miss Hill has definitely caught our attention as one of the better setters in the class of ’23, without a doubt. On the biggest stage, surrounded by upperclassmen, Emilee calmly guided class 4A #1 Yorktown to an undefeated season, and even took matters into her own hands a few times when players around her couldn’t put a ball away. A setter who plays defense, Miss Hill even went toe-to-toe with Iowa-bound [player_tooltip player_id="96843" first="Haley" last="Melby"], adding a few blocks on her for good measure. What a treat it was to watch her run the show yesterday, and to think that there’s two more years of this to come. Yorktown’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Honorable mention: [player_tooltip player_id="85920" first="Naija" last="Gadis"], setter, Brebeuf, 53 assists, 21 digs The most athletic setter of any class did everything in her power to get her Braves the win. Racing out to a 2-0 lead in the 3A state championship is one thing. It’s completely another when passing breaks down, but your setter still feeds hittable balls to your hitters. Naija did that and more, and we get to watch more of this in the near future. Emilee may have raised her stock the most on this day, but Naija maintained her already-high bar with her play. Class of 2022: [player_tooltip player_id="85813" first="Eva" last="Hudson"], outside hitter, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (five-set win), 33 kills, 22 digs, 5 blocks, .307 If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times; if everyone in the gym knows where the ball is going, and you STILL terminate at a high level, you’re something special. We all got to witness Eva take over the 3A championship, even after going down 0-2. This Notre Dame-bound Saint imposed her will on the match, and Dwenger won their first state championship in school history. High hands, hard angle, down the line, front row, back row, it didn’t matter, Eva willed the Saints to victory. This Munciana-trained kid still has two club seasons and another high school season to go. It will be worth the price of admission to watch her play. Honorable mention: Haley Cripe, outside hitter, Pioneer (four-set win), 22 kills, 27 digs All year long, I have touted the athleticism, size and skill of [player_tooltip player_id="101316" first="Madison" last="Blickenstaff"]. However, when a clutch attack or dig or serve reception needed to be made, it was Miss Cripe who delivered. Undersized and CLEARLY underestimated, this stud of an athlete has already been on the big stage---in 2019, she threw 10 strikeouts for Pioneer in the softball state championship. In the basketball championship, Haley had 13 points for her Panthers. And now, on volleyball’s biggest stage, she willed the Panthers to their first state title. Brava, Miss Cripe. See you soon. Class of 2021: [player_tooltip player_id="85713" first="Anna" last="Ballengee"], outside hitter, Barr-Reeve (three-set win), 21 kills, 10 digs, .308 I’ve only ever seen Anna live as a libero or defensive specialist. This is the first time I got the pleasure of watching her attack, and her competitive and fun personality shone through. This Southern Indiana-bound Viking was tops among all seniors on this day, and with Barr-Reeve graduating multiple starters, they may not make it back for a bit. This win was Anna’s second state title, but first in 2A; due to the success factor in Indiana, they’ve been 1A this whole time. Because of this senior class’ successes over their years at B-R, the Vikings move up to 3A next fall. A special championship for a special group of young women, all while dismantling Wapahani in their backyard. Not bad at all, Miss Ballengee. Honorable mention: [player_tooltip player_id="101317" first="Makenzie" last="VanHoy"], setter/outside hitter, Loogootee (four-set loss), 24 kills, 17 assists, 24 digs One of only two to do so, Makenzie messed around and got a triple-double on the biggest stage of the season on television. The other? Younger sister [player_tooltip player_id="101318" first="Kylie" last="VanHoy"] (’22, S/OH, 16k, 21a, 21d) in the same match. Does anyone need a primary passer who can terminate, play defense, and run a 6-2? Both of these kids can do it at a high level, and neither should ever come out of a game for the remainder of their careers. In her last match as a Lion, Makenzie did everything she could to carry her squad to victory. Need a dig? There’s Makenzie. How about putting a ball away in a clutch situation? Makenzie again. The Lions scored no less than 22 points in any set yesterday, and the elder VanHoy is the main reason why. Good luck in your future, young lady. The lights only get brighter from here.