> SOUTHERN INDIANA — VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW CAPSULES

COMPILED BY KEVIN HARRIS



BORDEN

• COACH: D.J. Zipp

• KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Morgan Mast (Sr., setter); Paige Kruer (Sr., libero); Megan Frascella (Sr., defensive specialist); Leslie Beatty (Sr., middle hitter); Kristen Nestor (So., outside hitter).

• KEY VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Caitlin McKinley (Jr., opposite hitter); Shelbie Farvour (Jr., outside hitter); Danielle Pace (So., middle hitter).

• KEY DATES: Aug. 18, Borden Invitational; Sept. 8, Loogootee Invitational; Oct. 13, Jennings County Invitational.

• OUTLOOK: Zipp is searching for offensive players who can make up for the graduation losses of former Braves’ standouts Erin Mikel and Allison Rademacher. Zipp says defense and serving will be critical for his team to be successful this season.

• ZIPP SAYS: “We are trying to find offense to fill that gap [left by] Erin Mikel and Allison Rademacher. We have a very short team. We will need to win with defense and tough serving. [The Southern Athletic] conference and sectional are very tough this year. There are lots of very good teams in both. We just have to continue to get better every day.”



CHARLESTOWN

• COACH: Kaitlin Cook.

• KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Emily Young (Sr., middle hitter); Alyssa Price (Sr., middle hitter); Megan Brooks (Jr., setter); Alli Webster (Sr., setter).

• KEY VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Lauren Crowe (Jr., outside hitter/defensive specialist); Cassie Martin (Jr., defensive specialist).

• KEY DATES: Aug. 14, at Corydon; Aug. 18, vs. Brownstown at Clarksville; Aug. 30, at Silver Creek.

• OUTLOOK: Cook thinks the year of experience her returning players gained last season should help them in 2012. The Pirates’ coach believes that experience will help her team pull out the close matches they ended up losing a season ago.

• COOK SAYS: “We don’t have as young of a team as we did last year. We look to be a little stronger against teams we were neck-and-neck with last year. This year, we think we have some key returning players with more experience that will help.”



CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF INDIANA

• COACH: Walter Pauly

• KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Rachel Boesing (Sr., middle hitter); Krista Boesing (So., middle hitter); Hannah Staggers (Jr., outside hitter); Ezra Staggers (Jr., outside hitter); Meghan Curry (Sr., defensive specialist); Michaela Roberts (Sr., opposite hitter); Alex Dale (Sr., outside hitter); Rachel Jones (Jr., outside hitter); Nicole Kauchak (Sr., outside hitter).

• KEY VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Emily Haworth (Jr., outside hitter); Brooklyn Garrison (So., outside hitter); Alex Lyons (So., libero/setter); Alexis Falcone (Fr., setter).

• KEY DATES: Sept. 10, at Borden; Sept. 17, home vs. New Washington; Oct. 4, home vs. Trinity Lutheran.

• OUTLOOK: With several returnees, the Warriors have high hopes for this season after finishing runners-up in the Class A New Washington Sectional last season. CAI will be hosting the sectional this year, which is giving the Warriors extra motivation to win the sectional crown. Pauly is relying on the Boesing sisters to provide lots of leadership.

• PAULY SAYS: “The Boesing sisters will play a huge role in our team’s success. They are leaders on and off the court. I expect this team to make a run at sectionals. We have a great group of girls returning and a nice mix of transfers that will make this team stronger. I look for this team to be really playing well by mid-September.”



CLARKSVILLE

• COACH: John McEwen

• KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Ali Sparkman (Jr., middle hitter); Katey Duggan (Sr., setter); Chloe Stephens (Sr., libero); Hannah Heintzman (Sr., outside hitter).

• KEY VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Haley Jenkins (Jr., outside hitter).

• KEY DATES: Aug. 18, home vs. Brownstown; Sept. 11, home vs. Providence; Sept. 26, home vs. Silver Creek.

• OUTLOOK: The Generals have not won a match the past two seasons. But McEwen thinks his players’ hard work during the summer will make them more competitive this season. McEwen is trying to change the culture within the Generals’ program, and he thinks his players are buying into his system during the offseason and preseason practice.

• MCEWEN SAYS: “It’s definitely a rebuilding year. But I think everybody will be surprised with our team because they’ve worked hard in the offseason. We’ve got them running an offense and running a defense. The girls are trying to buy into what we’re trying to teach them, and these girls are going to look like a volleyball team this year.”



FLOYD CENTRAL

• COACH: Bart Powell

• KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Sydney Engle (Jr., outside hitter); Jordan Alvey (Sr., outside hitter); Sarah Engle (Sr., defensive specialist); Morgan Cambron (Sr., defensive specialist); Tierney Flaherty (Jr., opposite hitter); Remi Bowman (So., setter); Brooke Hinton (Jr., defensive specialist).

• KEY VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Lauren Koopman (So., middle hitter); Hannah Joly (So., middle hitter); Riley Kaiser (Jr., setter/defensive specialist); Madison Kaiser (So., outside hitter); Gwyn Jones (Fr., middle hitter).

• KEY DATES: Sept. 1, Brebeuf Invitational; Sept. 15, Active Ankle Challenge at New Albany; Sept. 29, Hoosier Hills Conference Tournament at home; Oct. 13, Carmel Invitational.

• OUTLOOK: Powell likes the collection of players he has at Floyd Central this year. The key returnees are expected to play huge roles on a squad that is expected to contend for the HHC title and the Class 4A sectional championship. The Highlanders will play their typical tough schedule, which should get them ready for the postseason.

• POWELL SAYS: “This is definitely the most talented and athletic group that I have had since being at FC. With some time and patience, we should move forward towards the goals that we have made. Our schedule is extremely tough.”



HENRYVILLE

• COACH: Shallon Hill

• KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Jasmine Harrell (Sr., libero); Chelsea Lamotte (Sr., setter); Courtney Rappe (Jr., outside hitter).

• KEY VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Kerri Cochran (So., outside hitter); Cassidy Mull (Fr., right-side hitter).

• KEY DATES: Aug. 27, at Providence; Sept. 13, at Madison; Sept. 24, home vs. Crothersville; Oct. 11, home vs. Silver Creek.

• OUTLOOK: Despite having several inexperienced players, the Hornets expect to be competitive and contend for the SAC championship. Hill has been stressing to her players to communicate with each other and work together.

• HILL SAYS: “We need to work well together. I expect a lot of intensity and a lot of heart. I expect to win a lot of games. We’re young, but we expect to win.”



JEFFERSONVILLE

• COACH: Tim Cox

• KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Abby Powell (Sr., middle hitter); Samantha Grider (Sr., middle hitter); Sam Keeling (Sr., left-side hitter); Marley Edwards (Sr., libero); Ali Whitlow (Sr., defensive specialist); Shelby Rose (Sr., defensive specialist); Avery Brumit (Sr., outside hitter); Jena Reinhardt (Jr., setter); Hannah Samuel (Jr., left-side hitter); Shelby Moore (Jr., left-side hitter); Makenzi Johnson (Jr., right-side hitter); Sara Garwood (Jr., defensive specialist); Rachel Williams (Jr., defensive specialist, right-side hitter); Emma Coons (Jr., left-side hitter, middle hitter).

• KEY VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Mary Pat Geary (So., middle hitter); Mallory O’Brien (Fr., setter); Grace Lowe (Fr., setter).

• KEY DATES: Aug. 25, River City Invitational at New Albany; Sept. 4, at Silver Creek; Sept. 8, Jeff Invitational; Sept. 11, home vs. New Albany; Sept. 15, Active Ankle Challenge at New Albany.

• OUTLOOK: This is the most experienced Jeff team in years with seven seniors and seven juniors. Brumit will be the Red Devils’ leader as she paced the team in kills last year. But Cox is looking for players to step up and take the attack load off of Brumit’s shoulders. Cox also is stressing to his players to be fundamentally strong, limit their errors and believe they can beat some of the top teams in the area. Jeff faces a challenging schedule that includes New Albany, Floyd Central, Seymour, Silver Creek and Providence.

• COX SAYS: “This group of seniors has been a good group and our motto this year that the girls thought of is ‘believe.’ We believe we can have a winning season. We believe we can beat anyone on any given day. So believing in ourselves is our main goal this year. I think last year we did not believe we could beat New Albany, Providence or the better teams. But winning is believing in my opinion, and we must believe in ourselves as a team.”



NEW ALBANY

• COACH: John Breeding

• KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Catlin Lilly (Sr., left-side hitter); Sara Schad (Sr., libero); Samantha Miszkiel (Sr., defensive specialist); McKenzie Prince (Sr., setter); Nicole Jones (Sr., left-side hitter); Alexis Lete (So., middle hitter).

• KEY VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Kelsey Guess (Jr., middle hitter); Audrey Donastorg (So., right-side hitter); Madison Almon (So., defensive specialist/setter); Brook McCoy (So., defensive specialist); Madison Dibble (So., defensive specialist); Olivia Balmer (Jr., right-side hitter).

• KEY DATES: Aug. 25, River City Invitational at New Albany; Aug. 30, home vs. Brownstown; Sept. 5, home vs. Louisville Assumption; Sept. 6, at Floyd Central; Sept. 13, home vs. Columbus East; Sept. 15, Active Ankle Challenge at New Albany; Sept. 20, at Seymour; Sept. 22, at Indianapolis Cathedral Invitational; Sept. 29, HHC Tournament at Floyd Central; Oct. 2, at Providence; Oct. 4, home vs. Silver Creek.

• OUTLOOK: New Albany has several key players back, including Lilly who was named the 2011 News and Tribune Area Player of the Year. Lilly also made the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association Class 4A All-State first team. Lilly and Schad were South All-Star team members last season. Breeding has lauded the hard work his players have put in over the summer and in preseason practice. New Albany should be one of the top contenders for the HHC title and the Class 4A sectional crown.

• BREEDING SAYS: “I have really high hopes. It’s my 30th year at New Albany and I’m excited about this group because of their work ethic. Their potential is unlimited. Later on in the season, I think we can be extremely good. It’s just a fun, fun group.”



NEW WASHINGTON

• COACH: Michelle McCutcheon

• KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Kriston Sarver (Sr.); Ashley Johnson (Jr.); Courtney Amick (Jr.); Caroline Ricks (Jr.).

• KEY VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Lexie James (So., setter); Katie Collins (Sr., middle hitter).

• KEY DATES: Aug. 25, Madison Invitational; Sept. 8, Corydon Invitational.

• OUTLOOK: The Mustangs have some solid returning players, especially Ricks on the frontline. New Washington should be competitive in the SAC and the Class A sectional. McCutcheon, Ricks’ mother, takes over the program from longtime New Washington coach Gary Graham.

• MCCUTCHEON SAYS: “I am hoping to have a successful season. I expect my players to work hard and give everything they have on the court. I want them to remain positive through the change in staff and always play with confidence. Being a new coach, I feel each and every game will be tough. It is always hard to adjust to a new coaching staff.”



PROVIDENCE

• COACH: Terri Purichia

• KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Kylie Flanagan (Sr., libero); Abby Spitznagel (Jr., setter); Bryana Rake (Jr., defensive specialist); Haley Libs (So., outside hitter); Patricia Mattingly (So., setter); Taylor Wilson (So., middle hitter).

• KEY VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Maddie Bivens (So., outside hitter); Carlie Combs (So., right-side hitter); Jacquie Hornung (Fr., outside hitter); Audrey Shannon (Fr., defensive specialist); Malie Daniel (Jr., middle hitter).

• KEY DATES: Aug. 15, home vs. Silver Creek; Sept. 1, Providence Early Bird Tournament; Sept. 19, home vs. Louisville Sacred Heart; Sept. 27, at Brownstown; Oct. 2, home vs. New Albany; Oct. 9, home vs. Floyd Central.

• OUTLOOK: Despite graduating six players from last year’s team that won the Class 2A sectional and regional, the Pioneers have the talent and the experience to make another run in the postseason. Purichia said her troops have been working on their mental toughness in preseason practice along with limiting their mistakes. Providence plays one of the toughest schedules in the Clark-Floyd area.

• PURICHIA SAYS: “We are working on the mental side of our team a great deal this preseason. We are working on having better ball control, making far less mistakes and being better servers. Our level of concentration during rallies is improving and our kids are really working hard to make themselves better each day. The chemistry of this team is excellent, and they enjoy being around each other. We are really looking forward to the type of team we are capable of developing into by the end of the season with the effort they have shown so far.”



ROCK CREEK ACADEMY

• COACH: Jennifer Brown

• KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Kylie Tincher (So., setter/outside hitter); Katie Clapp (So., setter/outside hitter); Susan McCoy (Jr., middle hitter); Holly Whitworth (So., outside hitter).

• KEY VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Marissa Weedin (Jr., right-side hitter).

• KEY DATES: Aug. 23, at Jeff; Aug. 30, at Borden.

• OUTLOOK: Brown has returned to coach the program, which only won one match last year. Brown is trying to instill discipline back into the Lions, and she expects to win more matches this season.

• BROWN SAYS: “The team lacked discipline and we worked on it all summer long. We plan on winning half of our games this season.”



SILVER CREEK

• COACH: Jeff Zimmerman

• KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Haley Garr (Sr., middle hitter); Alex Carlton (Sr., libero); Sammi Smith (Sr., opposite hitter); Danni Densford (Jr., middle blocker); Kenra Kirchgessner (Jr., middle hitter); Morgan Reining (Jr., outside hitter); Madi Nieman (Jr., opposite hitter); Aleisha Brown (Jr., defensive specialist); Emily Crase (Jr., defensive specialist); Kaitlyn Ramser (So., setter); Lauren Cunliffe (So., defensive specialist).

• KEY VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Liz Mann (So., outside hitter); Kelci Scott (So., opposite hitter); Brynn Ware (Fr., defensive specialist).

• KEY DATES: Aug. 15, at Providence; Aug. 20, at Trinity Lutheran; Aug. 25, Columbus East Invitational; Sept. 8, at Brownstown; Oct. 6, Brebeuf Tournament.

• OUTLOOK: The Dragons have several solid starters back, especially Garr who earned ICGSA Class 3A All-State second-team honors last season. Zimmerman liked what he saw from his team during the summer, as Silver Creek performed well in the University of Kentucky camp and the Muncie preseason gala. Zimmerman says his team’s nonconference schedule is “brutal,” as the Dragons will play matches against Columbus East, Indianapolis Warren Central, Indianapolis Ritter, Bloomington South, Brebeuf Jesuit and Bloomington South.

• ZIMMERMAN SAYS: “Our three seniors — Alex, Haley, and Sammi — started playing club ball with me as seventh-graders, my first year as head coach at Silver Creek. These three girls are the epitome of our program. Their commitment to the program is what we want out of all of our Silver Creek players. Last year was the first year that they didn’t win a sectional and they know what it takes to win and are willing to lead their teammates to do whatever it takes to get there. We definitely feel like we have the personnel to reach our goals this season.”