Indiana 4A Preview: How High For The Highlanders?

<!-- 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>Staying in southern Indiana, we hit up another 30-win team, this time the Floyd Central Highlanders. Those 30 wins were no joke---they had a top-15 schedule statewide, which included wins over state powers Providence (twice), Castle, Avon, Fishers and Crown Point, just to name a few. For the ladies at FC, there's always someone (or a few someones) waiting in the wings to be the next Highlander volleyball stud. This time around, however, replacing nearly 8 kills per set plus your starting setter will be a difficult task for any team, let alone a top-five 4A program like Floyd Central that wants to advance beyond the semi state. Fortunately, there are kids on the roster from a season ago that have (1) varsity experience, (2) high level club experience, and (3) an all-around high-end grasp of the game. Here is my preview and prediction of the Highlanders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Floyd Central (30-6 in 2024)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is already understood that the Highlanders will travel pretty much anywhere to play the best schedule they can possibly play. This preparation, along with a relentless supply of open-level club kids, can make any roster be that much more prepared for a deep October run. The top returning attacker is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='628197' first='Macy' last='Sorg'], </strong>a KiVA kid that has already improved her skill level with the capabilities of taking over a match. Last season, as a freshman, she was definitely treated like a "role player" in the Highlander offense. With that KiVA training, she's now fully accustomed to playing with constant and consistent pressure, all while scoring points regularly. Her outdoor game is just as refined---with multiple wins and a ton of well-rounded talent, Macy should be the go-to this fall. If you're looking for size in the middle, look no further than returning middle blocker <strong>Riley Roberts,</strong> who also spends time on the basketball court. As the leading blocker returning from last season, Riley's 6'2" frame provides some size that a lot of 4A teams need at the end of October. Her experience from a year ago will be key in slowing down some of the state's better middles. More size, did you say? FC has <strong>Elisa Coleman</strong> on the right pin. This 6' right side is the second-best blocker returning from a year ago, and will give fits to opposing outsides when her block is set. Those three attackers should fill in nicely for the top three kills-per-set kids that just graduated, but what about ball control? Top defender <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='697429' first='Eva' last='Casteel']</strong> should once again anchor the defense with the special jersey on, and her senior leadership will be leaned upon early and often to get through the meat grinder that is a 4A schedule. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction: Floyd Central is reloading, but is it enough? And who's setting?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carly Fonda did more than set this program into powerhouse status. One could argue that her ability to do a little of everything---set, hit, serve, defend and lead---is what set her apart from other captains in recent memory. So, the question remains: who is setting this bunch, and where does the leadership come from? The three main attackers listed above are in three different graduating classes, and all have varsity playing experience from a season ago. But now they have to LEAD. With the setting position looking like a big unknown at the moment, here's to hoping that the Highlanders and their coaching staff know something that we don't. They'll run into Providence in their sectional again, and beyond that the regional and semi state weekends are ripe for the taking. However, getting there might be a tougher road. 30 wins is tough, so maybe not that many. But I could see this team with 25 wins entering the semi state with a shot at the state title---IF they can figure out their setting position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->