Indiana 4A Preview: Toothless Tigers?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want a $10 discount off of your registration to our July 27 Stock Up Showcase? Use code KypDig2025 at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're nearly done with our 4A previews. That doesn't mean that there aren't 4A teams out there that deserve a little publicity, it just means that we're nearly done with the "usual suspects" in class 4A in Indiana. The 30-win machine known as Yorktown has had one of the better four-year runs in all of Indiana, regardless of class, with more D1 talent graduating that's awfully hard to replace. Here's my preview of what's to come for the Yorktown Tigers, and my prediction of their season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Yorktown (33-3 in 2024)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It goes without saying that when you graduate the Miss Volleyball of Indiana, you're going to be losing a lot. But I personally think it's more than that. Charlotte Vinson was the heart and soul of this program for four full years, and her 2000 kills and 1000 digs will be impossible to replace, along with amazing leadership and, well, just being an amazing kid. That being said, there are pieces that should lay the foundation of what's to come for the Tigers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586405' first='Chloe' last='Ritchie']</strong> is a nice piece to have on the outside, and does a little of everything. I'm expecting <strong>Riley Carpenter</strong> to possibly step in as libero, although at Libero High School, that could be anyone, since passing is such a HUGE part of the Tigers' M.O.. <strong>Hannah Clark</strong> should run it back as the primary setter for this squad, and held her own just fine last year in their runner-up season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='741561' first='Makayla' last='Moulton']</strong> is another nice piece on this roster that, similar to a lot of these Tigers, has a well-rounded skill set that will be much needed this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction: The tough schedule will prepare them; consider a regional title a season success.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yorktown always---and I mean ALWAYS---schedules tough. Anyone, anytime, anywhere, the Tigers are playing the who's who of volleyball around the state. The training from the top-notch coaching staff, coupled with the tough schedule, will prepare this iteration of Yorktown volleyball as always. But, when over 75% of your offense and over 50% of your floor defense graduates, that might be a little to much to handle. No other top-ten 4A school loses more to graduation. If---and this is a big if---Yorktown can reinvent themselves offensively and find some size along the way, I will be more than happy to be wrong. Their sectional is still winnable, although not as an easy sweep as before. Last year's regional was against Lawrence North, which is also winnable. Beyond that, however, might be too much to bear.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->