Eastern’s volleyball team had a somewhat bittersweet season in 2023. The Comets posted an outstanding 26-4 record, but had to settle for runner-up finishes in the Hoosier Heartland Conference and in Class 2A Sectional 39.
In the HHC, Clinton Prairie beat Eastern in five sets in the match that ultimately decided the championship. And in Sectional 39, Madison-Grant beat Eastern in five sets in the title match.
Eastern has to replace middle hitter Jenna Odle, who was named the Howard County Player of the Year at the Tribune’s Sports Awards program, and defensive ace Shelby Rice, but the Comets also have reasons for optimism.
“We’ve had great turnout at open gyms and 18 of the 23 girls played club. Proud of how hard these girls have worked in the offseason,” coach Liza Flanary said.
The Comets return seniors Audra Flanary and Katie Hendricks and sophomores Josie Odle and Kenzie Appleton. Last season, Audra Flanary ranked second on team in kills, blocks and digs and first in aces, Hendricks was third in digs, Josie Odle was first in assists and Appleton was third in kills.
“We have a few big hitters returning and good leadership,” Liza Flanary said.
She has plenty of options to fill out her rotation and bench including seniors Hadlie Cipriano and Hayden Brovont, juniors Gracie Petty and Kyah Hembree, sophomores Savannah Smith and Jaelynn DeWitt and freshmen Lauren Hendricks and Emelia Flook.
Liza Flanary likes how the Comets “work well as a team and are scrappy.”
The Comets will look to challenge once again in the HHC and in the postseason.
“[The] HHC, you just never know what is going to happen. Teams could have great incoming freshman and then some could have lost some great players. And it really depends on how well the new players work in with last year’s starters,” Liza Flanary said.
Eastern was moved to Class 2A Sectional 38 where it’s grouped with Lewis Cass, Manchester, Oak Hill, Rochester, Southwood and Wabash. Southwood won the Class A state title last year.
“Sectionals are going to be different this year. Southwood has moved up into our sectional so I know they will be a tough opponent,” Liza Flanary said.
The following are looks at the other county teams.
WESTERN
The Panthers went 22-8 last season, but need to reload after graduating a strong senior class that including leading hitter Lacy Rathbun and setter Kayleigh Turner.
“Preseason was pretty good this summer,” coach Jessica Oliver said. “We played in a Monday night league so the younger girls got a chance to hang out and play with the upperclassman before coming into practices and tryouts. I feel like this was a great opportunity to play together without the stress of the season. We also had good numbers out this summer so that was helpful.”
The Panthers return four regular players in seniors Rhiana Bowman and Reyce Gibson and juniors Ellie Kretz and Caitlin Sylvester. Last season, Bowman led the team in blocks, Gibson was second in digs, Kretz was second in assists and Sylvester was second in kills.
Oliver also returns senior Addi Hoover and juniors Rylynn Gibbs and Natalie Hoover. In addition, junior Emily Scott is back after missing last season due to a knee injury.
Senior Kylie Miller, junior Brynley Erb and sophomore Ella Rawlings are new to the roster.
Oliver is looking for the Panthers to develop crisp attacks and a strong defense.
“As a program we consistently work on aggressive serving and moving the ball to different zones,” she said. “Defensively we have multiple people who can play well in the back row so that is a definite bonus.”
Western plays in Class 3A Sectional 23 where it’s grouped with fellow Hoosier Conference schools Logansport, Twin Lakes and West Lafayette along with Maconaquah, Northwestern and Peru.
“We have great potential and am I excited to see what this team can do,” Oliver said. “We play a good mix of opponents and I think we can play with all of them. By the end of the season the hope will be to have worked through the adversity that comes with the season and all being playing together at the right time.”
KOKOMO
Former assistant coach Kelly Hopkins has taken the reins of Kokomo’s program from previous coach Haley Peckinpaugh.
“I’m super excited to be the head coach this year,” she said. “After being the head coach for the first boys volleyball team at Kokomo, I gained a lot of confidence in my ability to lead and develop a team.”
Hopkins knows the program well. She was a two-time team MVP and a two-time All-North Central Conference player for the VolleyKats. She went on to play four years at Ball State where she made the 2014 All-Mid-American Conference first team.
“As a Kokomo volleyball alum, I’m ready to bring my own approach to leading the Kats,” she said. “This program means a lot to me, and I’m committed to taking it to a new level. I’m looking forward to building on what we’ve accomplished and pushing the program to new heights.”
The Kats (14-16 in 2023) return five players — seniors Regan McClain, Kinley Martin and Aubrey McGraw and juniors Tia Williams and Torre Willis. Last season, McClain led the team in total kills and total blocks, Martin was third in digs and Willis was No. 1 in assists. Willis has 993 career assists through her first two seasons.
Hopkins also has senior Gianna Smith, junior Macy Rakestraw, sophomores Bella Richards, Ava Federspill and Maddie Jin and freshman Myla Lacy in the mix for playing time.
“A majority of our girls are experienced, with several seniors and juniors who have been playing varsity for a couple of years. We’re leveraging that experience to build strong communication on the court and develop solid team chemistry,” Hopkins said.
“We’re always focusing on improving our consistency in the serve and pass game — ball control is crucial, and it’s something we’re honing in on to ensure we can compete at our best this season.”
The NCC has a new look this year with defending champion McCutcheon, Harrison and Logansport all departed. The NCC is now six teams with Anderson, Lafayette Jeff, Marion, Muncie Central and Richmond joining the Kats.
“Our team has the potential to compete with anyone on our schedule this season,” Hopkins said. “The NCC is always challenging, but with the talent and experience we have, plus the work we’ve put in during the offseason, I’m confident we can make a strong push. If we maintain our focus, continue to improve throughout the year and can stay healthy, we’ve got a shot at making some noise.”
With the reduced conference lineup, the NCC has shifted to a one-day tournament to decide its champion.
Like the NCC, Class 4A Sectional 7 is also smaller this year. Kokomo is joined by Harrison, Lafayette Jeff and McCutcheon.
NORTHWESTERN
The Tigers (12-16 last season) has big senior class to anchor their lineup.
“Things are looking pretty good,” second-year coach Brittany Perry said. “I’m seeing a lot of good things. The girls are putting in work and gearing up for the season.”
The senior class is led by Lexi Closson, Halie Koetter, Kendal Ziems, Anna Bishir and Caitlyn Pounds. All five saw regular playing time last season. Closson led the Tigers in digs and assists, Koetter led in serve receptions, Ziems and Bishir were two of the team’s top hitters and Bishir ranked No. 1 in blocks.
The Tigers’ other seniors are Aubree Braden, Savanah Markley, Blythe Collins and Madison Shearer. Perry also has juniors Tessa Ortman and Ayla Jackson and sophomore Ava Schultz.
“As a team, we have a good amount of experience at the varsity level. I think that will be an advantage for us,” Perry said. “We are improving a lot of things, but I think the most important thing is communicating on the court and learning to really trust each other.”
Northwestern is new to the Three Rivers Conference, which features 2023 Class A state champion Southwood and other solid programs.
“We are playing a lot of new teams so I’m interested to see how we handle playing teams out of our comfort zone,” Perry said. “We won’t have a conference tournament this year so that’s a big change. We will really have to focus on the in-season conference games and make those count.”
The Tigers play in Class 3A Sectional 23 where they’re grouped with fellow TRC schools Maconaquah and Peru along with Logansport, Twin Lakes, West Lafayette and Western.
“We established our main goal for the season together. I think having all of the girls on the same page will be helpful for us. Refocusing on our goals and being intentional during practice is very important,” Perry said.
TAYLOR
The Titans are looking to improve on last season’s 3-20 finish.
“Overall, things are looking good,” second-year coach Alanis Jones said. “We are continuously working on our skills and I am very excited to see how this team progresses throughout this season. They work hard every day and are eager to learn new things and overall they are great young women and student athletes.”
The Titans return seniors Ma’Leigha Smith, Amelia Collins and Jallainah Harris and junior Kaitlyn Gunning.
Juniors Morgan DeBard, Dakota Rudd and Jalisa Patterson and freshman Addy Dove are moving into roles.
“I think that one of our strengths is that our team can be very scrappy,” Jones said. “One of the downfalls is that we still struggle with regrouping after scrappy plays. We have a small team, but they fight until the very end.
“My hope for this season is that we just continue to improve as a team and never give up,” she added. ‘The one thing I am really instilling in them is that we are all one family. We are a representation of one another and of our school and we have to put out our best every day. We win as a team, we lose as a team, but we also learn as a team.”
Taylor plays in Class 2A Sectional 39 where it’s grouped with Elwood, Frankton, Lapel, Sheridan and Tipton.
