<p>From (almost) opposite ends of the state, we have two outstanding, 20+-win teams that should win their respective sectionals and go far in the postseason tournament. </p>
<p><strong>NEW PRAIRIE</strong></p>
<p>The Cougars return enough to be sectional winners, yet run into crazy competition at the regional level seemingly every year. With <strong>Ellie </strong><b>Michiaels (5-11 MB)</b> and <strong>Josie Troy</strong><strong> (5-6 DS/L) </strong>the only starters graduating, it looks good for this team from northwestern Indiana to hoist yet another sectional trophy. The biggest returning piece is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101836" first="Haley" last="Robinson"] (’23, 5-11 OH, Ferris State commit), </strong>hammering away at the competition daily. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="133460" first="Emma" last="Fleck"] (’23, 5-7 S)</strong> runs the show and locates the ball well in the offense. My pick for libero this fall is <strong>Delaney Daniels (’23, 5-3 DS/L), </strong>who will be leaned upon more for serve receive and defense to ensure the Cougar’s success.</p>
<p><strong>GREENSBURG</strong></p>
<p>From southeastern Indiana come the Pirates, who graduate exactly zero players from last year’s 22-win team. Size, size and more size return, which include the three-headed attack of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85922" first="Josie" last="Nobbe"] (’23, 6-0 OH), [player_tooltip player_id="106295" first="Ella" last="Chapman"] (’23, 6-4 MB, Florida Gulf Coast commit)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110497" first="Carlee" last="Adams"] (’24, 6-0 OH/MB). </strong>Josie hits a heavy ball and can terminate from anywhere. Ella has meteorically risen from obscure big kid to Division 1 player in a matter of months, and Carlee can easily take the pressure off of the previous two attackers by keeping defenses honest. G-burg even has size in one of their setters in <strong>Leah West (’25, 6-1 S), </strong>a two-sport stud who could run a 5-1 this fall, but will probably be a solid right side when she’s in the front row. <strong>Jenna Foster (’23, 5-3 S) </strong>is the other setting option that got the majority of touches last fall. Look for <strong>Abigail Hoeing (’23, 5-5 DS/L)</strong> to anchor the defense with the special jersey on.</p>
