Hoosiers In The NCAAs: Part 3
To wrap up our miniseries on former Indiana residents in the postseason, we hit up five schools that either are on the cusp of greatness or are true “blue bloods” of the NCAA Division I volleyball scene. Minnesota Graduating one…
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Continue ReadingTo wrap up our miniseries on former Indiana residents in the postseason, we hit up five schools that either are on the cusp of greatness or are true “blue bloods” of the NCAA Division I volleyball scene.
Minnesota
Graduating one of the most decorated setters in recent memory for the Gophers, Melani Shaffmaster (’20, 6-3 S, Munciana, New Castle HS) had big shoes to fill. It seemed as if she’d already set a plan for herself, as she was an early enrollee to Minnesota in January of 2020. Then the pandemic hit, and the Big Ten held off their match play until the spring. Needless to say, it was plenty of extra gym time for this All-American in waiting to run the show in Minnesota. An upset loss to a fired-up Pittsburgh squad in the sweet 16 ended their season at 16-3. With seniors Regan Pittman and Stephanie Samedy graduating, the remainder of the core returns for, hopefully, a solid run in the fall. Melani’s Big Ten All-Freshman team honors, coupled with her All-Region nod, should keep this group humming right along.
Ohio State
So I’m partial to the Big Ten. Sue me. We stay in one of the best volleyball conferences in the country for another Hoosier, libero Kylie Murr (’19, 5-4 L, Munciana, Yorktown HS). A pair of second-team All-Big Ten honors don’t tell the entire story of this elite passer, who has worn the special jersey since her arrival on campus. She’s also third in the conference in digs per set and total digs, and helped the Buckeyes make it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016. A sweet 16 loss to Florida ended OSU’s season, but with the National Freshman of the Year on your roster, great things are on the horizon in Columbus.
Morehead State
I had to make mention of the Eagles because they come from a one-bid conference (OVC) and they knocked off Creighton in Omaha in five sets. This was the Eagles’ first NCAA Tournament victory in program history, in what could only be called an historic season. MSU graduates their best attackers, both on the pins, which paves the way for Kinsey McAfee (’19, 6-1 OH, Westfield HS) for the indoor team. As an outdoor player, Kinsey has already collected a victory for the beach program at Morehead, making her quite the versatile for the Eagle’s future.
Dayton
The Atlantic 10 champion is no stranger to the NCAA Tournament, making their 14th appearance in the big dance. Lexie Almodovar (’20, 5-8 OH, Munciana, Noblesville HS) brought her heavy arm to every match earning honors in the A-10 tournament, the A-10 All-Rookie team and A-10 First Team honors. Lexie was also instrumental in their second round matchup against Washington, pushing the Huskies to five sets. She finished against the Pac 12 giants with 12 kills, 10 digs, 2 aces, 2 assists and 2 blocks. Not bad for a rookie. Seeing time in all but three sets this season was fellow Hoosier Anna Wuensch (’20, 5-6 DS, Team Indiana, Bishop Chatard HS). Anna had a career-high 9 digs against Wright State in a five set win in February.
Louisville
It is extremely hard to follow up success from one season to the next. It is completely another story entirely to do so in a season such as this. Carrying over both middles, a setter and a libero from an Elite Eight squad in ’19 made for an outstanding follow-up run this season, losing to Washington in five sets in the sweet 16. With the four All-Americans graduating from the Cardinal squad, plenty of opportunity will be given to both Ceci Rush (’20, 5-9 DS, Union, Providence HS) and Brooke Smith (’20, 6-1 OH, Empowered, Leo HS) to see a little more time in the fall ’21 campaign.