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.

Also playing up (17-1) for her respective club is Caroline, whose right side play is one of the best (if not THE best) in Indiana for all classes. Long and lean for days, Caroline makes jumping look easy and gravity look irrelevant. She’s also a read-and-react blocker, and has a knack for getting touches that other right sides either (1) don’t have the size to get, or (2) don’t have the intelligence to adjust. She had a bout of injuries during the fall season, so here’s to hoping she stays healthy this club season, as watching her play is a joy and a celebration of athleticism.

Long, lean and springy, Caroline embodies the right side persona similar to Olivia Babcock of Pittsburgh. Her attack touch is already north of ten feet, and can hit with a pace that is unmatched on the right side in this class. Already receiving multiple postseason accolades at the club level with Boiler Juniors, Caroline has been playing up a year for some time now, and showing no fear whatsoever.