Indiana 2A Preview: Rebuild For Mater Dei?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want $10 off of your registration to our Freshman/Stock Up Showcases? Use code KypDig2025 at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evansville Mater Dei had one of their more solid seasons last fall, and top attacker <strong>Brooke Herdes</strong> is staying local by signing with Missouri Valley member University of Evansville. The 5'10" attacker did a little of everything for the Wildcats, yet I fear there is far more lost to graduation than Miss Herdes. In a sectional as tough as Sectional 48, losses are hard to recoup, and it might take a season or two for the Wildcats to bounce back. Here's my preview of Evansville Mater Dei, and my prediction of their upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Evansville Mater Dei (20-9 in 2024)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, Miss Herdes was the do-everything for the Wildcats. She even was part of a 6-2 that was much needed due to the lack of size at the setting position. On offense, the top attacker returning is rising junior <strong>Leah Heldman,</strong> who will need to average more than her two kills per set to cover some of the losses from a season ago. I also like senior <strong>Izzy Bohleber</strong> in the middle. Having size---ANY size---at the 2A level can make a difference in close matches. <strong>Kiersten Wunderlich</strong> should be a nice right pin attacker for this offense, and should help take the pressure off of both Leah and Izzy this fall. The top FOUR floor defenders graduated from a year ago, so I'm looking at rising senior <strong>Emily Kiesel</strong> to wear the special jersey and anchor what will be a young defensive crew and roster. There will be a ton of new-ish names on this roster this fall, as two of the top three attackers, the top four floor defenders and BOTH setters from the 6-2 all graduated from last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction: An early season-ending loss in the sectional, probably to Tecumseh.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With one of the tougher schedules in all of 2A, the Wildcats definitely prepare themselves properly for a postseason run. Once Mid-October comes, however, getting past Tecumseh seems to be their Waterloo. I looked back at the six previous seasons, and the Wildcats' season ended at the hands of the Braves in three of those seasons. For me, looking at footage, it's a matter of (1) athleticism and (2) volleyball training. One or the other (or both, in some positions) would have helped in ANY of those matches. Until the Wildcats can handle the relentless athleticism of Tecumseh, this is the Braves' sectional to lose.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->