Indiana 4A Preview: A Royal Return?

Kyp Harasymowycz June 23, 2025 @ 09:25 AM

Want $10 off of your registration to our July 27 Stock Up Showcase? Use code KypDig2025 at checkout!   Sitting here at the car dealership, waiting to get the oil changed on my trusty vehicle, it dawned on me how similar my situation is to so many other volleyball programs statewide. Some need a major overhaul, some need some mild tune ups, and some need regular maintenance to keep the car on the road. For the latter, I definitely think of Hamilton Southeastern, and how close the Royals were to winning three straight state titles last fall. With the majority of the roster returning, and the level of talent that will seemingly decide the Royals' future, it is easy to see that a mild tweak here or there, and this hot rod of a program will be more than capable of logging long miles to November. Below is my review of their returns, plus a prediction of how far this program can go this fall.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hamilton Southeastern (32-3 in 2024)</h2>   A tough four-set loss to Carroll in the semi state championship kept the Royals from making history last fall, but the majority of the talent returns to make one last run in this iteration of their dynasty. Madison Miles, an Illinois commit, is the primary hammer for this team, hoping to cover the amount of kills lost due to graduation. Her springy nature, ability to hit multiple shots depending on what the defense gives her and her seemingly endless energy should power the offense this fall. She's not the only attacker, however, as Ball State-bound [player_tooltip player_id='229027' first='Merritt' last='Sliwa'] is yet another of a number of outside-hitting arms that are all over this program. She's another highly athletic leaper that can put balls away from either pin, and will keep teams busy with her shot-making ability. This senior-heavy offense is capped with high-flying [player_tooltip player_id='210189' first='Bre' last='Morgan'], who is committed to Florida Atlantic. Her presence alone will keep defenses honest throughout the Royals' top-ranked strength of schedule, and will be a key cog in the machine HSE puts on the floor night-in and night-out. I like [player_tooltip player_id='286983' first='Maye' last='McConnell'] at the libero position, as her consistent play and accurate ball control (in both serve receive and defense) will be the main part of this team being successful. The one spot that might give me pause is the setting position, which at this time is up in the air for this author. There's so much talent up and down this roster (and in this program) that I'm sure that position has already been filled by the coaching staff with someone ready for the challenge of being a top program in the state.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction: Beat Carroll, and anything is possible. </h2>   It is expected by some for me to come on here and give some sort of doubt as to HSE's abilities to perform under the brightest of lights. Fortunately, the Royals have too much talent, from players to coaching staff, to have a "down year". With SEC-bound Mangelson graduated, a fall-off from the initial offensive production is anticipated. A program like HSE's, however, has enough firepower coming up from JV to keep this machine going. Being out-blocked 15-5 by a smaller team in Carroll doesn't bode well for HSE, so here's to hoping this squad learns to hit high and hard instead of low to the tape. Going out on a limb here---the winner of the northern half of the tournament, no matter whom it may be, will win the 4A title this fall in November. If HSE figures out their offense, they could still make history by winning three titles in four years, a feat that just doesn't happen in 4A anymore.

Want $10 off of your registration to our July 27 Stock Up Showcase? Use code KypDig2025 at checkout!