Roncalli Royals enter St. Vincent Health Field for IHSAA Sectional semifinal game against host Brebeuf Jesuit. Leading the Royals are, from left, seniors AJ Richardson (44), Johnny Jaffe (53), Henry Adams (26), Sam Neu (41), and Nick Bastida (49). Roncalli won 55-27.
​(JOHN D. SMITH PHOTOS)

By Al Stilley
Editor

How good is girls’ high school volleyball on the Southside?

Four Southside teams – Roncalli, Franklin Central, Southport, and Lutheran – reached the Marion County tourney Final Four Saturday at Lawrence North.

3A No. 1-ranked Roncalli came away with the championship trophy by sweeping Class A Lutheran 25-14, 25-10, 25-11 and tiring Franklin Central 25-13, 25-10, 25-11. They were able to snare the title on the passing of junior setter Abbie Haberthy with 28 assists against the Saints and 34 against the Flashes. Senior Logan Bell, an Oregon commit, showed extreme power and versatility with 14 kills, 10 digs, and five aces in the title match. The Royals had 13 aces against Lutheran and were strong up front with junior Lydia Stahley, 15 kills, and senior Mackenzie Kruer, 11 kills.

“We are so aggressive in every aspect of our game,” Royals coach Christina Erazmus said. “We distributed the ball well, we blocked, and our all-around defense was good.”

Franklin Central defeated determined Southport 3-1 (25-17, 15-25, 25-19, 25-21). The Flashes were plagued by slow starts in all three sets, trailing 5-0, 7-0, and 9-0.

The Royals triumph and the progress of Southside teams bodes well for the IHSAA playoffs that begin Tuesday.

Also, 4A No. 7 Center Grove, as expected, handily won the Johnson County tourney for the 12th consecutive time Thursday at Edinburgh, defeating Indian Creek and sweeping Greenwood Christian. The Trojans opened the tourney by defeating rival Franklin.

Here’s a look at the 12 Southside teams, individual stats through Sept. 1:
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BEECH GROVE (3A, 2-21)
This has been a tough season for Hornets. Coach Cathy Kates squad won season opener against Crispus Attucks and defeated Purdue Polytechnic Sept. 5. Losing skid has reached 11 consecutive games.
Team leaders are: 5-11 senior Alexys Turner, 73 kills, 85 blocks; senior Gabrielle Boggs, 55 kills; soph Addelyn Wiggins-Veach, 54 kills; senior Neveah Lyte, 151 digs; sophomore Shelby Cates, 97 assists.
BG has six seniors. Hornets finish regular season Thursday against ICC foe Speedway in The Hive.

The Beech Grove Hornets are, from left, front row, Lilliana Castro, Mariah Shrum, middle row, Alicen Stevens, Addelyn Wiggins-veach, Shelby Kates, Raelee Biro, Neveah Lyte, back row, Alexys Turner, Brookelynne Rucker, Nola Alford, Addison Corn, and Gabrielle Boggs.
(SUBMITTED PHOTO)

CENTER GROVE (4A, 22-7)
4A No. 7 Trojans opened last week and defeated rival Franklin in thriller 25-20, 25-22, 27-25 on opening night of the Johnson County tourney for second sweep against Grizzly Cubs this season. The triumph was their 10th in a row for CG following a loss at 3A No. 1 Roncalli last month after playing six matches in four days, including a 2-2 mark in the Providence invitational.

In Miller Invitational Saturday, CG fell to highly regarded Noblesville and 4A No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern in a serious tune-up for upcoming playoffs.

Last year, CG reached finals of Bloomington North Regional before losing to state runner-up Castle.

Stanford recruit 6-3 Reese Dunkel, a towering middle hitter, and classmate outside hitter Ellen Zapp are a tough 1-2 punch. Dunkel has 228 kills, 88 blocks; Zapp has 344 kills, 38 aces; senior libero Maddi Higginson leads back row with 290 digs.
 
A trio of sophomores has come through for the Trojans. Setter Annabelle Schembra has 701 assists,182 digs, and 48 aces. Classmates 5-10 Kaylen Plunkard has 183 digs and 45 aces with middle hitter Kaelyn Groce with 48 blocks.

“This season has had some extremely bright moments and some surprisingly low moments,” coach Jennifer Gandolph Hawk said. “We have a high level of experience in our returners, so my expectations were very high for this team coming into this season.”

CG’s other losses came from Roncalli twice, Cathedral twice, and Trinity Lutheran.

“Hawk observed, “The past couple of weeks we have found some new aspects of the game that we have given a lot of attention to and see some great progress there. We have really worked on relationships on and off the court and growth as a team.”

The former CG and University of Michigan standout added, “We are getting down to the nitty gritty of the season and every detail becomes important. Every contact on the ball, every team meeting, every moment together can play a big part how this season ends. We keep focusing on one day at a time and continuing to improve where needed. I’m excited to see where this team goes in coming weeks.”
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CG closes its regular season at Tri-West tonight (Wednesday). 

Team members of highly-ranked Center Grove are, from left, Skylyr Merriman, Maddi Higginson, Kaylen Plunkard, Ellen Zapp, Kaelyn Groce, Reese Dunkle, Natalie Vance, Samantha Bowen, Izzy Wheeler, Anabelle Schembra, Avery Bastein, and Savannah Cook.
(SUBMITTED PHOTO)

CHRISTEL HOUSE MANUAL (2A, 12-6)
Eagles put together five wins in last six matches before meeting Providence Cristo Rey Thursday in final home match. Eleven of their 12 wins have been 3-0 sweeps.

Young team has only two seniors, 5-7 Jocelyn Guerrero, a defensive specialist and outside hitter, and middle blocker/right-side hitter Allie Shultz.

Coach Destiny Hayes’ squad has key leaders with sophomores 6-2 Maleah Jackson, 79 kills, and Lizbeth Perez, 74 aces, and juniors Alyssa Shultz, 76 kills, and Emily Salcedo, 35 digs.

The Eagles edged Central Christian Academy 3-2 in their last outing by winning the first two sets 25-16 and 25-18 but dropped the next two sets 25-20 and 25-17 before grabbing the fifth set 15-12. CHM was led by Jackson with 10 kills and eight blocks, Allie Shultz with eight aces, and junior Salcedo with eight digs.

The Eagles, “surprise” team on the Southside wrap up their regular season Thursday against visiting Providence Cristo Rey.

DECATUR CENTRAL (4A, 7-15)
Hawks have had up and down campaign, fell in first round last week of Marion County tourney. DC lost five of first six matches this season. Recent wins were against Greenwood, Lawrene Central, and Warren Central.
Coach Tandace Joseph has young team with only three seniors, defensive specialist Lydia McWhirter, middle hitter Miranda Woodard, and setter Jaynie Tweedy.

Joseph realized it would take time for youth movement to take hold with six sophomores and trying to overcome injuries.

“We have had a most challenging season, plagued with injuries and lost three players in one week’s time,” noted coach Joseph. “Our dynamics have changed, but these obstacles have made us stronger and has not hindered our performance. The only obstacle we face is ourselves. 

“We have the ability to compete, but sustaining our level of competition sometimes is the challenge, and not the competition.  We have two games and one tournament to prepare us for sectionals.”

Woodard leads net attack with 107 kills and 38 blocks, also has 94 digs. Tweedy has team-high 252 assists. Hawks have recorded 146 aces with junior Madi Padgett and sophomore Mackenzie Cummings getting 24 each. Sophomore Kaylynn Napier has 97 digs with sophomores Garilynn Sprague and L. Burton, 63 digs apiece.
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Close regular season Thursday against visiting rival Ben Davis.

Decatur Central coach Tandace Joseph watches as Hawks pursue a win on their home court.
​(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY STEVE PAGE)

FRANKLIN CENTRAL (4A, 11-12)
Flashes started season with five wins in first seven matches but ran into the rugged Hoosier Crossroads Conference. Coach Emily Sellers’ team is more competitive, having pushed Westfield and Brownsburg to five sets. They entered the Marion County tourney after winning two of their last nine matchers and reached title match. Assistant coach Josh Page guided team Saturday in county Final Four.

Senior Abby Kaminski, a 5-10 outside hitter, has filled the stat sheet throughout the season. The all-around competitor has 213 kills, 146 digs, 323 serves received, and 22 aces. Junior Brenda Storz, a 6-2 middle blocker, leads the team with a .333 hitting percentage at the net. Sophomores Emily Williams, a 5-8 setter, has 465 assists, 30 aces, and 6-0 middle blocker Brooklyn Wake adds strength to the front line.

They have help from sophomore Katie Bailey, 105 digs and 25 aces, and senior Keira Meierant, 108 digs.
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Depth comes from seniors Lillyanna Joseph, Lilli Young, and Chloe Hunter; and freshman Kinley Houtari.
Youth movement bodes well for Flashes who face host and 4A No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern in warmup for the playoffs.

Franklin Central entered county tourney 9-11 record and emerged closer to .500 after reaching championship match. In early season photo, the Flashes are, from left, front row, Chloe Hunter, Bella Moore, Lilli Young, Katie Bailey, Briley Layton, Kinley Huotari, Amelia Nichols, Lillyanna Joseph, middle row, Leah Michael on team during early season matches, Keira Meierant, Ryelle Koomler, Bella Brown, Abby Kaminski, Sydney Hendrickson, Emily Williams, back row, head coach Emily Sellers, coach Josh Page, coach Lauren Cullison, Brenna Storz, Brooklyn Wake, and managers Olivia Stowers, Lariyah Hardin, and Anna Stinson.
(SUBMITTED PHOTO)

GREENWOOD (3A, 4-23)
Greenwood coach Zach Mackie summed up the Woodmen during the week of the Johnson County tourney and said, “We have had our fair share of growing pains throughout the season.”

With a young team of only three seniors, Greenwood defeated only four teams – Beech Grove, Decatur Central, Lawrence Central, and Purdue Polytechnic. Their last two wins were back-to-back before a four-match losing streak and a county tourney loss to Indian Creek.

The Woodmen are looking to the future with five juniors, two sophomores, and four freshmen on this year’s squad.

They have young leaders up front and on the back row. Junior outside hitter Victoria Ortman leads team with 145 kills and 39 aces plus 144 digs. Maddison Judge, a 5-11 freshman middle hitter, has shown flashes of her future already with 108 kills and a team high 48 blocks. Mia Shaffer, a 5-5 sophomore libero, has 146 digs. Addie Rosebrock, a 5-6 junior setter, has 397 assists, 24 aces, Senior Karissa Harris has added 120 digs and 85 kills.

“We have leaned heavily on our younger players this year, so struggles are expected with the inexperience we have compared to most of our competition,” coach Mackie observed. “Our freshmen and sophomores have gained a ton of experience through being able to play at the varsity level this year and our upperclassmen have gained the necessary experience to see for themselves what kind of leadership is needed to compete at a high level and improve their team chemistry.”

Looking to the playoffs, Mackie said, “In the tournament, everyone is zero-zero and you have to fight your way to the top. We have seen some great flashes in the pan and we want to continue to get one percent better each day. Everything else will take care of itself in time.”
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The Woodmen end their regular season Thursday at Southport.

Greenwood’s varsity team was joined by all juniors, sophomores, and freshmen in the traditional Woodman team photo, including, from left, back row, manager Larissa Ahmodu, Genevieve Schroeder, Elyse Theoharis, Ellie Hockersmith, Lola Trent, Maddison Judge, Bella Blythe, captain Tori Ortman, Josie Fiesel, Macie Smith, middle row, manager Shyanne DeBoard, captain Isabelle Reynolds, Bella Davis, Karissa Harris, Kylie Sommers, Selena Flores, captain Addie Rosebrock, Melisa Tefenlili, Hailey Sommers, Isabella Register, Keyara Johnson, Juliana Guimaraes, front row, manager Chloe Zuniga, Lilly Hayslett, Chloe Allen, Maleah Takacs, Addie Cotroneo, Mia Shaffer, Violet Roell, Addison Curry, Addy Rogers, Emersyn Pence (DS), and Annika Shaffer.
​(SUBMITTED PHOTO)

GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (A, 14-11)
Cougars defeated 4A Whiteland and nemesis Edinburgh in the Johnson County tourney last week in the first two rounds before being over-powered by champion Center Grove. Junior Addie Smith had six kills against CG, junior Izzy Snell recorded 11 digs, and junior Alva Kresge had 14 digs.

Throughout the season, coach Kayla Back’s young team has been led by senior Faith Kresge, 166 kills, and Snell, 139 kills, 152 digs, 44 aces; Aiva Kresge, 46 aces and 21 blocks; and sophomore Kate Reed, 223 digs.
Cougars are undefeated in conference play. GCA had four matches Saturday at a tourney in Richmond and finishes regular season Thursday by hosting Morristown.

LUTHERAN (A, 14-13)
Saints schedule features most teams above Class A, so a winning record as playoffs approach is another promising result. Saints finished second in Indiana Crossroads with 5-2 record.

In the Marion County tourney, Lutheran edged two 4A opponents, Perry Meridian in a 3-2 nail-biter, and  defeated Decatur Central 3-0 before running into Roncalli in a semifinal match Saturday. The Saints won first set against PM 25-22, dropped the next two sets 25-19 and 25-18 before coming back 25-20 and 15-12 on the tourney’s opening night.
  
“Everyone has to play well for our team to be successful,” veteran coach Kathy Anderson said. “Everyone plays an important role.”

Rangy and rich in experience with five seniors, Anderson’s team is led by middle hitters Adele Evans with 143 kills and Zoe Sondag with 128 kills, 41 blocks, Rhianon Wilson with 24 aces, and libero Cathryn Erwin with 281 digs. Sophomores Reagan Crabtree (230) and Shaefer Scearce (220) lead in assists.

Depth comes from seniors Caitlyn Rose and Reese Richey, several sophomores and freshman Lillian Pass.
“Our challenge this post-season will be to get everyone playing well at the same time,” Anderson observed. “When we do that, our team is really fun to watch.”
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And the Saints aim to have fun in the post-season.

Always a threat in the playoffs because of rugged season schedule, Class A Lutheran Saints are, from left, front row, Maddox Tindall, Shaefer Scearce, Reese Richey, Faith King, Rhianon Wilson, Reagan Crabtree, Cathryn Erwin, back row, coach Kathy Anderson, Zoe Sondag, Lillian Pass, Caitlyn Rose, Adele Evans, Delaney Pass, and manager Noah Alexander.
​(SUBMITTED PHOTO)

PERRY MERIDIAN (4A, 11-10)
Falcons enjoyed a three-game winning streak until they were upended by Lutheran in an opening round match last week in the Marion County tourney.

Undaunted, Perry Meridian coach Bailey Schnell and the Falcons continue their search for a winning record to go into the IHSAA sectionals. The Falcons won five of their last eight matches before Saturday, including a 3-2 win against rival Southport in the Battle of the Birds.

Coach Schnell wants the Falcons to channel their emotions into positive energy on the court.

“We graduated a lot of talent, so this team is pretty much all new,” Schnell said. “We’re not the tallest team in the state so our back row has to be really sound, and we need more aggressive strength on the front row.”

The Falcons’ leader is 5-8 senior Lydia Hartman, who can play multiple positions. The Missouri-St. Louis recruit leads the team with 199 kills and 37 aces and is No. 2 in digs (198) and assists (219). Hartman is only senior with extensive volleyball experience. Senior middle hitter Nadia Kriech leads team with 37 blocks.
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Experienced junior defensive specialist Kendall Kocher leads with 331 digs. Junior outside hitter Kendall Garland has 143 kills. Junior setter Martina Mays leads with 291 assists.

Perry Meridian players show enthusiasm during time-out call in second set against Southport at Southport Fieldhouse. The Falcons won the Battle of the Birds in five sets. Falcons’ team members are Kendall Garland, Mackenzie Hokenson, Halie Rieck, Kendall Kocher, Jane Berkemeier, Nadia Kriech, Anny Shepherd, Amelia Lewis, Lydia Hartman, Macy Stroud, Karsyn Naue, Peyton Kocher, and Kendall Brookbank.
(SUBMITTED PHOTO)

RONCALLI (3A, 25-0)
As predicted, undefeated Royals captured Marion County tourney Saturday by sweeping surprising Franklin Central.

Coach Christina Erazmus was pleased with team’s all-around aggressiveness which holds promise for an historic year. This is a team that has been able to approach games one match at a time.

Royals fell to Castle in Jasper Semistate last year and are eager to get to state finals with potential showdown against 4A No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern looming. Host Royals handled visiting HSE 25-17, 25-20, 25-20 last month.

Roncalli is strong up front and in the back row and has seven D1 players, including seniors Logan Bell (Oregon commit), Eva Hurrle (DePaul commit), and Mackenzie Kruer (Michigan State soccer commit), and juniors Lydia Stahley (Missouri commit), Reagan Turk (West Virginia commit) and classmates Addie Haberthy and Lily Jones not committed.

In her pre-playoff assessment, coach Erazmus said, “We are deep with talent. We are deep with talent.  We work well together on and off the court with the same goals in mind. Our serving and ball control has been exceptional which has given us success offensively and a major threat to our opponents.

She continued, “This season we knew we had something special after returning almost all of our starts after a semi-state appearance last year.  We have shown our maturity and growth through the battles of several top teams in the state and nation which has so far produced an undefeated season.” 
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Seemingly on a mission as a senior, Bell has 214 kills, 172 digs, and 47 aces. Haberthy has a massive 632 assists. Stahley leads with 265 kills, Turk with 203 digs, and sophomore Ella Stone with 67 blocks.
Royals close regular season at home Thursday against Columbus East and then serve as sectional host.

Roncalli junior libero Reagan Turk proudly holds newly acquired Marion County girls’ volleyball championship trophy Saturday at Lawrence North. The Royals swept Lutheran in the semifinal match and then swept Franklin Central in the championship match. Players are, from left, front row, Eva Hurrle, Josie Lexon, Reagan Turk, Faith Schoettle, Rosanna Spearing, back row, Addie Haberthy, Mackenzie Kruer, Lily Jones, Lydia Stahley, Logan Bell, Grace Troxell, Reagan Turk, Faith Schoettle, and Rosanna Spearing. They are with head coach Christina Erazmus and Jessica Bell.
​(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY AL STILLEY)

SOUTHPORT (4-A, 14-9) Resurgent Southport reached the Final Four of the Marion County tourney Saturday after sweeping Lawrence North in an opening round and North Central Thursday. The two wins put the Cardinals five games above .500. The Cardinals took a five-game winning streak into the county Final Four.

Earlier this season, Southport fell to Lawrence North in the first set 27-25 and then lost the next two sets. In the county tourney, the Cardinals put together a three-set win 25-17, 25-19, 25-19. Southport senior Ryleigh Hamilton paved the way up front with sophomore setter Marlee Chafin’s 33 assists and senior Paige Mayer’s 15 kills.

Southport’s leaders throughout the season have been Mayer (262 kills), senior Ryleigh Hamilton (200 kills, 45 aces, 33 blocks), senior Arianna Neese (286 digs), and Chafin (656 assists).
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The Cardinals close their regular season with Southport Fieldhouse matches against Greenwood Thursday and Terre Haute North Saturday.

Southport’s Cardinals are, from left, top row, Ryleigh Hamilton, Nola Linson, Madi Rayburn, Tori Rwizi, Marlee Chafin, front row, Van Tha Par Kho, Maddie Pfeiffer, Ari Neese, Aliana Par, Avanell Traylor, and Paige Mayer.
​(SUBMITTED PHOTO)

WHITELAND (4A, 6-17)
Warriors opened season with a seven-game losing skid that included losses against Plainfield, Greencastle, and Lafayette Jefferson before defeating Mid-State rival Greenwood 3-1 (26-24, 19-25, 26-24, 25-18). Later in the season, Whiteland put together back-to-back wins against South Decatur and Pike. They finished 3-4 in the Mid-State Conference.

Coach Jenny Munn has a young team with only three seniors (libero Mia Waltz, defensive specialist Lily Bedel, and setter/outside hitter Kiley Sullivan), seven juniors, one sophomore, and one freshman.
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Individual leaders are junior Sophia Dyer with 120 kills, 36 blocks; Sullivan with 100 kills, 159 digs; Waltz with 34 aces; Bedel with 151 digs; and junior Lexi Ottney with 298 assists.

Whiteland’s Warriors are, from left, Lilly Brown, Lily Bedel, Aubrey Saylor, Alyssa Laporte, Mia Waltz, middle row, Kiley Sullivan, Makayla Sanders, Karlie Roy, Mari Allee, back row, coach Stiltner, Sophia Dyer, Carly Vondielingen, Lexy Ottney, and head coach Jenny Munn.
(SUBMITTED PHOTO)