IHSAA 1A Preview: #6 Kouts

<p>We continue our countdown to the top ten returning 1A squads in the state of Indiana. Unlike most of the teams I write about, I don’t get to see much of the Fillies live; everything I have from last fall is on video. Even on their MaxPreps site, there are no heights listed. What I DO know, however, is that it’s hard to hide a 24-6 season and a regional final appearance. With four graduating from the ’20 squad, there goes about 35% of the offense. Here’s who we see will run the show this fall.</p> <p><strong>’22, [player_tooltip player_id="85842" first="Sophia" last="Foster"], 5-6 OH/DS</strong></p> <p>This Ke’Aloha kid has also spent time with Boiler Juniors, and has had her fair share of high-level training. A six-rotation player in high school, Miss Foster will most like be seen as a three-rotation DS, working her way up to libero status at the next level. Explosive, quick and always around the ball, Sophia finished last fall leading Kouts in kills (4 kps) and aces, and was second in digs, all while hitting near .300 most of the season.</p> <p><strong>’22, Lyndsey Kobza, 5-9 MB</strong></p> <p>Their size hurt them in the regional final against the trees of Pioneer, the eventual state champion. However, I won’t place the blame at Lyndsey’s feet; her athleticism in the middle makes up for some size, as she led the Fillies in blocks last season. Leading in blocks and fourth in kills, Miss Kobza will be relied upon to bring more of an offensive mindset this fall so they can take that next step.</p> <p><strong>’23, Taylor Moyer, 5-6 S</strong></p> <p>The kid running the 5-1 show needs to have some pub too. This is Taylor’s position to lose, as she’s done a brilliant job putting Kouts on the map. She’s also fourth in digs for the Fillies, which leads me to believe that she’s a defensive setter that has above-average ball control. But with more than half of the serve receive from last fall graduating, who’s the new ’bro?</p> <p><strong>’23, Lauryn Koedyker, 5-8 MB</strong></p> <p>I know I said they were undersized. But with an attacker like Sophia, there needs to be a complement in the offense. Insert Lauryn, who finished second in blocks and third in kills last fall. I’m convinced that if she gains the confidence age and experience usually give, that ranking becomes second. Her career high of 10 kills should be eclipsed if she just speeds that arm up and becomes more terminal.</p>