A no-brainer as far as must-see players are concerned, Caroline’s sheer athleticism alone attracts even the most casual of volleyball fan. The SMU commit is a high-flying, full-go and no-quit pin attacker that can do what she does from anywhere in any tempo of set and at any time. I’m pretty sure no team West Noble played this fall has anyone quite like Miss Ward; at over 600 kills on the season, Caroline is one of one.

For years, I’ve sung the praises of Miss Ward, and the SMU product is an absolute athletic beast when the whistle blows. Don’t let that sweet smile fool you—her relentlessness, competitive nature, and ability to damage floorboards on a regular basis are reason enough to buy a ticket and watch this young lady play mature, ACC-ready volleyball. The offensive stalwart of a resurgent Bruin program over the last few years, Caroline is one of the best (period) players (period) in Indiana (full stop), and is worth your time to watch her work on the biggest stage.

The SMU commit is arguably the best reason to watch Tri-West play this fall. Currently one of the top attackers in the state in any class, Miss Ward is a high-flying and heavy-hitting pin attacker that has future-ACC-terminator written all over her. She never comes out, and is responsible for so much of the Bruins’ success over the last few years.

The singularly most athletic kid in this article is an SMU commit and can play either pin with ease at the next level. With an attack touch higher than anyone I’ve seen in this state, Miss Ward controls the attack for her Bruins and keeps Tri-West in the conversation as one of the top teams in 3A volleyball in the early fall. When she attacks, the ball SOUNDS different coming off of her hand. If you watch her live, you’ll know what that means first-hand.

I implore even the most basic of volleyball fans to come watch Caroline play. Most of the rest of the ‘27 class plays high level volleyball year round. Caroline’s version is more how grown women play. With a heavy hand, a quick shoulder, jumping ability that defies gravity and the ability to take over a match single-handedly, Miss Ward is SMU-bound and a great representation of the future of volleyball in the ACC.

It’s not considered professional of me to place emojis in my articles. But if I was allowed to do so, it would be the face with the HUGE eyes. While watching Caroline play, I caught myself making that face, as her speed, jumping ability and attacking pace were off the charts in comparison to any other single attacker I saw Sunday. A lot of blocks looked irrelevant when she attacked, and it’s not like they were small. Due to injury happening with a couple of her teammates, Miss Ward will be asked to do a bunch more attacking this spring, and she looked as if she were asking for seconds. Strong, powerful, athletic and tough, Caroline fits right in with SMU and the ACC.

Caroline is a high-flying, SMU-committed right side who can terminate from anywhere. This season, she pounded 681 kills, carrying her Bruins squad to a second-straight semi-state. That number of kills led the ENTIRE state, regardless of class, and was clear of the second-place attacker by almost 50 kills. All of those point-scoring opportunities, plus her next-level play, earned her a 1st Team All-State nod.

Speaking of adding value, Caroline had to add a whole lot more when fellow teammate from a year ago, Izzy Masten Izzy Masten OH IN , chose to graduate early to play at top five Pitt. Fast-forward to this week, and the Bruins are once again winning the regional. Caroline’s 24 kill, 14 dig, 5 ace and 5 block show-out against 3A top-ten Northview was much-needed in order to win, and SMU must be elated to see a future Mustang take over a match like Miss Ward just did.

After going undefeated at the Show Me Qualifier (10-0!), Caroline and the rest of the Boiler Juniors squad put the midwest on notice. This high-flying right side who can terminate from anywhere in both serve receive and transition is ready for her close up. Springy and quick, smart and powerful, we’re starting to run out of superlatives to describe her. Even on the block, Caroline plays bigger than her narrow frame, with well-spaced arms, hands that wrap around the ball and an instinct to know exactly where the ball is going before it happens. It shouldn’t be long now before Miss Ward lets us all know where we can watch her at the next level starting in the fall of ’27. Oh, and did I mention she’s playing up a year in club?

Playing up a year for Boiler Juniors for years now, Caroline is a high-flying, hard-hitting right side that is the quintessential pin attacker for the next level. She has a multitude of shots at her disposal, can hit over or through blocks, and her net defense is smart and disciplined. In short, she makes this game look easy, and she makes gravity look irrelevant.