Summer League At Academy: Court 5 And Other Notes
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With the changes in the IHSAA rules this year, summer leagues have seen a change in number of play dates and different teams playing at different sites. Last night, three teams I haven’t covered in a while took Court 5…
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Continue ReadingWith the changes in the IHSAA rules this year, summer leagues have seen a change in number of play dates and different teams playing at different sites. Last night, three teams I haven’t covered in a while took Court 5 by storm. Here are a few thoughts and athletes that will impact how they play in the fall.
Lebanon
Probably the most intriguing of the three at Court 5 were the Tigers of Lebanon. Limping through the season last fall to 11-15, it would be appropriate to assume that more of the same could be expected. What a pleasant surprise to see their play—and their talent—improve at such a high level. Senior outside Sydnie Starkey (’24, 5-11 OH) looks to be the go-to for the fall, and as a primary passer, she should never come out of any match. Ava Susong (’25, 5-4 DS/L) is deadly from behind the baseline and was an anchor in left back as the ‘bro. She also saw time in middle back as a three rotation DS, where she could anticipate and roam more in a read-and-react capacity. Kinley Young Kinley Young 6'1" | MB Lebanon | 2027 State IN (’27, 6-1 MB) is a long and lean M2 who brings much-needed size to the Tigers, and had moments in each of their matches last night to take over on both offense and defense. She’s an excellent #2 attacking option behind Sydnie. Finally, DS Mya Nelson (’27, 5-5 DS/L) had her moments as well serving tough, receiving serve well and defending at an above-average level. I look forward to seeing more of her at the Freshman Showcase at Academy on Sunday.
Greenfield-Central
In a conference that includes Yorktown, Delta, Mount Vernon, New Palestine, Pendleton Heights and New Castle, the Hoosier Heritage conference is a rough one for the volleyball enthusiast. It may be even tougher for the Cougars this year if they can’t find enough passers to receive serve. If they do pass, however, Harper Holden Harper Holden 6'0" | MB Greenfield Central | 2025 State IN (’24, 6-1 MB) should be the primary attacker throughout the season. She had to be last night; her other middle sprained an ankle the night before in practice. I saw a few moments of fire from Mya Grigsby Mya Grigsby 6'0" | OH Greenfield-Central | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-11 OH), who can pound away and use fast feet to get to attacking mode quickly. Her opposite, Rilee Roland (’25, 5-9 OH) is a more compact version of Mya, and represents the future of the program. If they pass well, the Cougars should be able to hold their own.
Other Notes
- Molly Wellborn (’25, 5-8 OH) looks to be the primary attacking option for Scecina after the Crusaders’ first-ever semi-state run last fall. She put away quite a few balls against bigger competition last night.
- Of the setters at North Central, Whitney Scherrer Whitney Scherrer 6'2" | S North Central | 2024 State IN (’24, 6-2 S) might end up having the best college career. She’s long and lean, accurate with her sets, and after some Munciana training, much improved.
- There is so much size and youth at Westfield. I counted no less than six class of ’27 kids that played at Munciana this past club season, the biggest and best of which is Carsyn Comer Carsyn Comer 6'3" | MB Westfield | 2027 State IN (’27, 6-2 MB), who can take over a match if you let her.