Crown Point and Chesterton take the top two spots and could vie for the Duneland Athletic Conference title.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Crown Point (22-13): The Bulldogs’ list of returning players starts with junior outside hitter Elle Schara, a Purdue commit who led the team in kills (558), digs (385) and aces (47) last season. Opponents also have to deal with senior outside hitter Elisa Algozine (200 kills) and senior middle blockers Macie Keilman (team-high 72 blocks) and Alayna Panepinto (69 blocks) as Crown Point tries to reclaim the Duneland Athletic Conference title and win its first Class 4A regional title since 2019.
2. Chesterton (22-12): Few teams will have a better pair of outside hitters than Chesterton junior Tenley Davis (team-high 395 kills) and sophomore Luca Bombacino (316 kills). With senior middle blocker Marissa Roe (team-high 98 blocks) and junior setter Abigail Parrish (team-high 773 assists) also returning, the Trojans should make noise in the DAC.
3. Lake Central (16-16): There’s a young duo of outside hitters that will likely lead the way for the Indians, too, with junior Lexi Iwema (team-high 211 kills and 28 blocks) and sophomore Kailey Skurka. Keep an eye on junior libero Brooklyn Barth.
4. Valparaiso (18-13): Veterans will guide the Vikings’ offense, led by senior outside hitter Aylea Sutherland and junior outside hitters Abbie Henson and Avery Mullin. Freshman setter Nicole Bontrager will make her debut, becoming the latest member of her family to wear the green and white.
5. LaPorte (32-5): According to coach TR Harlan’s math, the defending DAC and Class 4A regional champion Slicers lost 95% of their kills, digs and assists from last season after a strong class graduated. Senior setter Elizabeth Anglin is the lone returning starter and will be counted on heavily to lead the inexperienced lineup.
6. Bishop Noll (28-9): Coach Dave Rodriguez said this could be the strongest team he’s ever had at Bishop Noll. A group of seniors have been varsity fixtures since their sophomore year: outside hitters Sophia Nowacki and Zariah Winton, middle hitter Molly Whelan, setter Raniyah Preston and defensive specialists Addison Clark and Daniella Zvonar.
7. Andrean (22-10): Senior outside hitter Caroline Linklater (196 kills), junior middle blocker Lizzie Cusick and senior setter Ava Hernandez-Trost return for the 59ers, who should be among the contenders in the Northwest Crossroads Conference.
8. Munster (17-16): The Mustangs won the NCC last season but lost their statistical leaders in kills, digs, blocks and assists via graduation and Gracyn Gilliard‘s transfer to Center Grove. Junior middle blocker Emma Robbins and senior libero Lily Gena will lead the way, and coach Kalin Miller said she convinced basketball standout Nina Garner to give volleyball a try and play on the right side.
9. Illiana Christian (22-11): Senior outside hitter Alexa Miedema and senior middle blocker Lydia VanderLaan are the top two returnees for the Vikings, who are coming off the first sectional title in program history.
10. Kankakee Valley (21-13): Well-rounded junior setter/outside hitter Gabrielle Diener returns for the Kougars after finishing first in kills (186), second in assists (334), second in digs (246), second in aces (52) and third in blocks (45). Senior middle blocker Ava Dase, who was second on the team with 77 blocks, also returns.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Elizabeth Anglin, LaPorte, setter, senior
- Luca Bombacino, Chesterton, sophomore, outside hitter
- Nicole Bontrager, Valparaiso, freshman, setter
- Tenley Davis, Chesterton, junior, outside hitter
- Bella Del Real, Crown Point, junior, libero
- Gabrielle Diener, Kankakee Valley, junior, setter/outside hitter
- Gabi Esparza, Hanover Central, junior, setter
- Riley Fox, Wheeler, senior, outside hitter
- Lily Gena, Munster, senior, libero
- Lexi Iwema, Lake Central, junior, outside hitter
- Macie Keilman, Crown Point, senior, middle blocker
- Lindsey Krueger, Kouts, senior, outside hitter
- Caroline Linklater, Andrean, senior, outside hitter
- Lucy McCollum, Merrillville, junior, setter
- Alexa Miedema, Illiana Christian, senior, outside hitter
- Sophia Nowacki, Bishop Noll, senior, outside hitter
- Maria Otero, Boone Grove, senior, setter
- Abigail Parrish, Chesterton, junior, setter
- Sophia Pelton, Bishop Noll, senior, outside hitter
- Raniyah Preston, Bishop Noll, senior, setter
- Sierra Ricke, Morgan Township, sophomore, setter
- Emma Robbins, Munster, junior, middle blocker
- Elle Schara, Crown Point, junior, outside hitter
- Kailey Skurka, Lake Central, sophomore, outside hitter
- Lydia VanderLaan, Illiana Christian, senior, middle blocker
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter.
