Indiana 1A Preview: All-State Honorees Everywhere
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Just because the schools get smaller in our previews does not mean that the talent and experience are lacking. Here are three favorites and one dark horse for the state title in November, along with each team’s all-state honoree. Blackhawk…
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Continue ReadingJust because the schools get smaller in our previews does not mean that the talent and experience are lacking. Here are three favorites and one dark horse for the state title in November, along with each team’s all-state honoree.
Blackhawk Christian (’22 record: 34-4)
The Braves return most of their offense from a year ago, and might need all of it to repeat. Abbie Cresse Abbie Cresse 6'3" | MB Blackhawk Christian | 2024 State IN (’24, 6-3 MB, Dayton commit, 1st team All-State) has the bloodline and the skills to dominate a match, and has unmatched size for this class. Speaking of size, Allie Boyer Allie Boyer 6'2" | OH Blackhawk Christian | 2024 State IN (’24, 6-2 OH, 1st team All-State) can make a lot of blocks irrelevant from the pins and will be called upon to lead both physically and emotionally. Setter Leena Leichty Leena Leichty 5'8" | S Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-8 S) will run this larger-than-life offense, and locates the ball well enough to make her hitters that much better for a late fall run.
Tecumseh (’22 record: 31-5)
The level of athleticism among the female athletes at Tecumseh is ridiculous. Volleyball is always in the conversation for a state title. Basketball is there too. For a small school—heck, ANY public school—there should be an ebb and flow of talent from year to year. Not so with these Braves. First team All-State honoree Payge Johnson Payge Johnson 5'8" | OH Tecumseh | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-8 S/OH) is just one of multiple examples of that multi-sport mentality, and carries it with her when playing multiple positions. The same goes for hammer Jenna Donohoo Jenna Donohoo 5'10" | OH Tecumseh | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-10 OH/RS), who can put balls away from either pin and has great athletic acuity. Ava Kissel Ava Kissel 5'8" | RS Tecumseh | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-10 MB/RS) is some more size that more than proved herself against bigger competition, especially in the title match last fall. For a team that beat 1A top fives Springs Valley and Trinity Lutheran on the same day, resiliency is the least of their issues.
Springs Valley (’22 record: 30-5)
Like the southern half of the state draw needs to be any tougher in 1A, here come the Blackhawks. The sister combination of Leigh Carnes Leigh Carnes 5'8" | OH Springs Valley | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-8 S/RS, 2nd team All-State) and Maddie Carnes Maddie Carnes 5'11" | S Springs Valley | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-10 S/RS) is probably the best 6-2 setting combination in the state. Neither come out of the game for any reason, and this pair consistently lead the team both offensively and as setters. Even as they faded down the stretch against Tecumseh in the regional, Maddie was still putting balls away, showing that she certainly plays older than her age. Bella Nottger (’24, 5-10 MB, 1st team All-State) is no slouch, either. Her size and skill will be needed, along with the Carnes, if they want to get past that regional hurdle.
DARK HORSE: Trinity Lutheran (’22 record: 23-11)
Don’t look at the Cougars’ record. They play anyone and everyone state-wide to get the best competition, regardless of class. They’ve been doing it for years, and it obviously works. What doesn’t work for me is putting Trinity Lutheran and the words “dark horse” together. TL is always in the conversation every year for a state title, and mostly it’s because of the super tough schedule the staff puts together. It also certainly doesn’t hurt that the Cougars run a small but very successful club out of their own backyard, aptly named Cougar VBC. First team All-State honoree Addison Darlage Addison Darlage 5'7" | S Trinity Lutheran | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-6 S) is an exceptional setter with the athleticism and skill to run the show herself. Laura Roeder Laura Roeder 5'5" | DS/L Trinity Lutheran | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-2 DS/L, 2nd team All-State) is the first contact queen that every team covets, and she makes Miss Darlage’s job that much easier. Carson Bowling Carson Bowling 6'0" | MB Trinity Lutheran | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-10 MB) is the primary attacker for the Cougars returning this fall, and she’ll be leaned upon a ton to continue that volleyball success at Trinity Lutheran.