Five Sophomores To Watch Going Into The IHSAA Postseason

We're in the home stretch of the regular season, and with the tournament draw happening this weekend, we get to find out how the volleyball gods have blessed teams in the “random draw”. We're the only state who does it, and it's always a nerve-wracking time of year that is the most discussed (and argued) part of the IHSAA's job. With that, there are major players from the class of 2028 that have done some heavy lifting for their respective squads this fall, and will need to do a little more to keep their team on the winning side.    As the libero last year for the 4A state champ, Cala's ability to receive serve in half the court was on display at Worthen Arena last November. Fast-forward to today, and Cala's still bringing it, keeping her Chargers in system more often than not. A player-coach on the floor, Miss Haffner's international experience has pushed her even further into the stratosphere of top liberi to ever come out of Indiana, and she's still a sophomore.     As part of a 6-2 at 4A blue blood Hamilton Southeastern, Maggie's ability to run an offense looks smooth and almost, dare I say it, EASY. Her length allows her to go get balls that are tight or overpassed and turn them into hittable sets, and she has innate abilities to know exactly whom to set in the right situation. She played up an age group last season, so look for her to be even more prepared for older competition this coming spring.     As a primary-passing six-rotation outside for Plainfield's resurgence this season, she can count herself as one of the few who have knocked off HSE this fall. Her shot-making ability is endless, and can do everything from hammer to roll to place to tool in an instant. The game looks slowed down for her, and you can almost see her think through what she does before it happens. Part of a family of volleyball players, Audrey's the third sister that will, most likely, earn a D1 offer before her junior season.     Already one of the top defenders in this class, Kyla will be the x-factor for Penn if they wish to advance beyond the regional this fall. She's already earned some accolades from us at the Freshman Showcase in the summer of ‘24, and again at our Stock Up Showcase this past July. That being said, the Kingsmen will need multiple consistent passers to get through the gauntlet of the 4A postseason, and Kyla's ability to defend and receive serve is one of the best in this class.     Jordyn's arrival from Tennessee over a year ago was eye-opening; big and physical, she can cover a ton of ground along the net on defense while additionally being a strong presence on offense by going over or powering through undisciplined blocks. Now playing on one of the best teams in the state, she's showing out as the top middle in her class, and not just for her size. She's a future collegiate M2 in the making, and is just now getting the spotlight she's earned.

We're in the home stretch of the regular season, and with the tournament draw happening this weekend, we get to find out how the volleyball gods have blessed teams in the “random draw”. We're the only state who does it, and it's always a nerve-wracking time of year that is the most discussed (and argued) part of the IHSAA's job. With that, there are major players from the class of 2028 that have done some heavy lifting for their respective squads this fall, and will need to do a little more to keep their team on the winning side.