Indiana 3A Preview: Dragon Dominance?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want $10 off of your registration to our July 27 Stock Up Showcase? Use code KypDig2025 at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hoosier Heritage Conference has one sport that makes it tough---girls volleyball. Between Yorktown, Delta, Mount Vernon, New Castle and Pendleton Heights, you have yourself some of the toughest scheduling within your own conference, regardless of class (three classes make up this conference in girls volleyball). New Palestine, coming off of a 29-win season and their best season in recent memory, has a ton coming back for the fall of '25, but will it be enough to get a sectional championship? Or does last year begin a dynasty that helps grow future dragons? Here's my take on last seasons' success and a prediction of what this fall will bring the ladies from New Pal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Palestine (29-5 in 2024)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riding an amazing win streak to start the season, New Pal didn't see its first loss until the end of September---some six WEEKS into the season---when the Dragons lost a conference match to fellow 3A team New Castle. No one outside of New Palestine, including this author, saw that epic season coming, and considering what's coming back, another 25-win season is not out of the question. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301138' first='Hayden' last='Ramsey']</strong> (NAIA top 25 Bethel commit) will anchor the middle for the Dragons, aiming for the team lead in kills and blocks once again. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='510050' first='Natalie' last='Sevier']</strong> (NAIA top 25 IU-Kokomo commit) is a solid all-around pin player who defends as well as she can put balls away. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='571226' first='Azure' last='Flagle']</strong> (Taylor commit) has had the libero jersey locked down for some time now, and is the first-contact queen every squad needs to be successful. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534878' first='Samantha' last='Gooding']</strong> is an excellent setter who just does her job---she locates the ball well, is tough behind the service line and defends her position at an above-average level. And that's just the senior difference makers coming back. Rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572622' first='Elena' last='Cook']</strong> is a lefty big that is tough to go against on the right pin, and looks much improved from this time last year. M2 <strong>Caylee Brown</strong> is a nice surprise in the middle, and has already made her presence known in summer league. I've even heard rumors of a class of '29 kid coming up through the ranks named <strong>Adelynn Crispin,</strong> a Team Indiana kid that should make a pretty big difference for this squad as a rising freshman. There are a ton of players listed here that can make this season one for the record books, but is it enough?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction: Hope for a draw opposite Roncalli, the undefeated defending 3A state champ, in the sectional. That match will be New Pal's state championship.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't live in New Palestine, but I love this program. I cheer for this team, these players and this coaching staff every year. Classy up and down the roster, the culture built at New Pal is second to none in sporting behavior and athleticism. That being said, Roncalli looms for all of the 3A teams, and with the Royals most likely moving to 4A in '26, the sectional final of New Pal/Roncalli (***praying to the blind-draw gods***) should be treated like the state title match for the Dragons. Don't get me wrong; there's a ton coming back for the Dragons. The talent returning for New Pal is the best in quite some time. Is it enough? We shall see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->