Indiana 3A Preview: Hard Times In Hammond?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want $10 off of your registration to our Stock Up Showcase? Use code KypDig2025 at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving right along in our 3A preview, we go about as far north as you can go before entering Illinois to check in on the Bishop Noll Warriors. These ladies, located in Hammond, IN, had an exceptional season last fall, using their high level of club experience to turn their senior-heavy roster into a northern Indiana powerhouse. 33 wins are no fluke, but they graduated players moving on to D1, D2 and NAIA programs among their six that are gone from a season ago. Here is my preview of Bishop Noll and my prediction of what kind of season they might have this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hammond Bishop Noll (33-4 in 2024)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is safe to say that the Warriors will not be able to replace all of the high-end talent that they had from a year ago. Their top two attackers are playing D1 and D2, respectively, while their starting libero and starting setter are both going to NAIA squads. So, what's left? Look no further than <strong>Tami Olusola,</strong> a high-flying pin already committed to D2 Purdue Northwest for the fall of '26. She'll have to make up for a ton of offense that just graduated, but has the athleticism, energy and relentlessness to do so. She'll get a little help from right side <strong>Regan McCabe,</strong> a 6'1" attacker who can give opposing outsides fits with her solid block and consistent play. If I were to guess, the heir apparent to the libero jersey might end up being rising junior <strong>Joselyn Calleros,</strong> who is the top returning floor defender from a year ago. Unfortunately, that's all I can reasonably predict as to who's playing where. That is more on what last year's seniors were responsible for than what was coming up from the JV ranks, but it is what it is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction: The Warriors are going to need a little luck and some JV help to get 20 wins, let alone 33.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few things on this one. First, the Warriors play one of the easier 3A schedules among the top ten 3A teams in the state. Getting to 20 wins shouldn't be an issue, but with so much talent graduating, regression to the mean will happen. Second, their sectional is one of the easiest in the state, as none of the teams they play have a heavy club presence on any of their rosters. Realistically, they should win the sectional because of basic skill and play. Once past that, however, things get a LOT tougher in a hurry. Many of the teams they will see have improved, while Bishop Noll hasn't. Here's to hoping I'm wrong, and that there's a ton of talent that was on JV last season to make this season not as much of a fall-off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->