You Pick The Day: Matches of the Week You Should See In Person
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If you had an unlimited amount of time and resources, you could attend all of the best matches in the state and never have a bad day. But what if you want to pick only one? We have five days…
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Continue ReadingIf you had an unlimited amount of time and resources, you could attend all of the best matches in the state and never have a bad day. But what if you want to pick only one? We have five days of solid volleyball action all over the state of Indiana this week, including a Match Of The Season candidate for this Saturday. For each day, we have records and a pair of players to watch.
(Records are as of 9/10, rankings are from the Z-rankings as of 9/4)
Monday: 2A #4 Northeastern (9-0) @ 2A #7 South Adams (17-2)
A Class 2A battle if there ever was one, the Knights invade upstart South Adams for early supremacy and bragging rights until next year. The visitors are senior-led, starting with Lilly Null (’24, 5-7 OH), who is a primary passing outside that brings three kills and three digs per set to every outing. Emma Neeley (’24, 5-10 MB/OH) is the size that can hit from everywhere, and the pair put more than six balls away per set. These two should dictate the match offensively for the Knights. As for the Starfires, youth reigns at the setting position. In the 6-2 they run, Laney Trausch (’26, 5-6 S) and Reagan Beitler (’26, 5-6 S) need to find their primary hitters early and often to keep the Knights guessing.
Tuesday: Covington (13-4) @ 3A #2 Benton Central (14-0)
The Trojans are one of the best volleyball programs to come out of western Indiana in some time, especially considering their school size. Maddix Minick (’24, 6-1 MB) is a big reason for Covington’s success, and she’ll have her hands full defensively. She will counter with a solid offensive output. Alex Sutherlin Alex Sutherlin 5'6" | OH Covington | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-6 OH) is a tough and athletic outside that does a little of everything. The pair combine for more than six kills per set, but might need more than that to knock off the Bison. Benton Central has steamrolled opponents this year with the Foster sisters. Purdue-bound Sienna Foster Sienna Foster 5'9" | OH Benton Central | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-10 OH) and younger sibling Calista Foster Calista Foster 5'9" | OH Benton Central | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-10 OH) combine for an astonishing seven kills per set while they average hitting north of .350 on the season.
Wednesday: Andrean (12-8) @ Hammond Bishop Noll (15-6)
Although neither team is ranked in their respective classes, both are volleyball blue bloods that play with and against each other in both high school and club. These teams are very familiar with each other, which makes this match all the more intriguing. The Fighting 59ers are led by Marin Sanchez Marin Sanchez 5'10" | OH Andrean | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-10 OH), who plays with a maturity and athletic acuity that is not seen often in a school this size. Her four kills per set while hitting over .350 has been that consistent stat line for years for Andrean. I also like Caroline Linklater Caroline Linklater 5'6" | OH Andrean | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-6 OH), a quick and effective outside that can keep defenses from keying on Marin. The Warriors have a ton of talent in their junior class. Zariah Winton (’25, 6-0 RS) is the size on the pin needed to make a strong run in the playoffs, while Sophie Nowacki (’25, 5-9 OH) has primary passing written all over her. Their combined six kills/.300+ stat line will be important to keep up in this match.
Thursday: 1A #3 Springs Valley (15-1) @ Mitchell (15-4)
A ton of senior-led talent sprinkled in with a little youth skill makes this a must-see matchup in southern Indiana. The Blackhawks have been here for a while, so long as the Carnes sisters are producing. Leigh Carnes Leigh Carnes 5'8" | OH Springs Valley | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-10 S/OH) and younger sibling Maddie Carnes Maddie Carnes 5'11" | S Springs Valley | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-10 S/OH) run the 6-2 to perfection, and their Union training makes them exceptional in ball control. The Bluejacket combination of Brooke Reynolds (’24, 5-9 MB) and Jocelyn Allen (’24, 5-7 OH) will lead this squad offensively. Brooke, despite being an undersized middle, can hold her own defending from pin to pin, while Miss Allen is an outside with a knack for finding the floor when attacking.
Saturday: 3A #1 Bellmont (16-1) @ 3A #7 Angola (10-0)
The easy choice for match of the week AND of the year thus far is this battle of 3A volleyball powers. There are no less that six current and future Division 1 talents that will take the floor this Saturday, and I’m jealous of those that make the trip up to Angola. For the Braves, MaryKate Scheumann MaryKate Scheumann 5'10" | OH Bellmont | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-10 OH) is the primary player to watch for Bellmont, as her all-around game is second to none on this roster. Delaney Lawson Delaney Lawson 6'2" | OH Bellmont | 2024 State IN (’24, 6-1 OH, Utah State commit) has a hammer for an arm and pounds teams into submission regularly. Speaking of hammering kills, Morgan Gaerte Morgan Gaerte 6'4" | OH Angola | 2024 State #26 Nation IN (’24, 6-4 OH, Notre Dame commit) goes over just about everyone, but will have to be a little more careful considering the defense that the Braves can bring. I’m a huge fan of high-flying Maya Harris Maya Harris 6'0" | RS Angola | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-10 OH), who bombs away from the baseline as well as she does at the net. This should be a fun and exciting showcase of high school volleyball in Indiana.