26 East Central Indiana volleyball players to watch in 2023 IHSAA fall sports season

MUNCIE, Ind. — The IHSAA volleyball season officially begins this week for East Central Indiana teams.

Local squads enjoyed a terrific 2022 season, which saw Wapahani win a Class 2A state title, Yorktown finish as the 4A runner-up and Delaware County overall win four sectional titles in four different classes with the success of Delta (3A) and Daleville (1A).

The area is once again a hotbed for volleyball talent both in the state and nationally, and there are several returning and new players eager to make their mark on the 2023 season.

Here are some of the top local players to watch this fall:

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Addison Annen (Muncie Central, senior DS)

Annen tallied 112 digs last season, making her the Bearcats' most productive defensive specialist returning this fall. She will help lead an overall young roster that graduated seven seniors.

Addie Applegate (Yorktown, junior libero/OH)

Applegate has played for perennial powerhouse Yorktown since her freshman season and showed growth in 2022, earning an IHSVCA First Team All-State selection after tallying 485 digs (13th in Class 4A, first in Hoosier Heritage Conference). Her defensive instincts are obvious and were a major factor in the team's run to the state finals a year ago.

She could also take on more responsibilities as an offensive player this fall as the Tigers deal with graduating another All-State player, Emilee Hill, and losing a key younger offensive piece to injury.

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Sophia Beeson (Wapahani, junior OH/DS)

Beeson broke out in 2022, becoming a key offensive piece during Wapahani's state championship season. She notched 159 kills, 73 digs and 30 total blocks.

But after graduating five terrific seniors and hiring new head coach Valorie Wells, the Raiders enter a rebuilding year. Beeson will be thrust into a larger role but will also have to become more of a leader to help transition the next generation of Wapahani volleyball.

Alaina Bowman (New Castle, senior MH)

Last year, Bowman led the Trojans in total blocks (87, second in HHC) and ranked second in kills (209). She is the team's presence in the middle of the court and at the net, a pivotal role.

Kaylyn Denney (Blue River, senior setter)

Denney enjoyed a strong junior season, leading Blue River in assists (462) while adding 215 digs. She will again be in charge of organizing the Vikings' offense.

Maiciah Driskill (Blue River, senior OH/MH)

Driskill's 356 kills ranked 14th in 1A and third in the Mid-Eastern Conference a season ago. She also added 41 aces and team highs in digs (277) and total blocks (17), making her arguably the Vikings' most valuable player heading into 2023.

Layla Gonzales (Muncie Burris, senior libero)

Gonzales blossomed as a junior for Burris, leading the team in digs (387) while adding 39 aces and 416 service receptions en route to All-Conference and All-District honors. She should again be a key part of the Owls' roster as one of the area's better defenders.

Emily Grow (New Castle, junior OH/DS)

Grow was a solid multi-faceted player for New Castle last season, leading the team in aces (72, first in HHC), digs (346) and service receptions (532). She should again be one of the team's top players and a major factor in its success.

Brenna Haines (Jay County, senior DS)

Haines is one of the area's most experienced varsity players, already with over 1,000 career digs in addition to notching a team-high 52 aces a season ago. She will again be an on and off-court leader for the Patriots, who this year feel they can compete at a higher level with a better overall defensive roster.

Lilly Howell (Muncie Burris, junior MH)

After a strong freshman season, Howell came into her own in 2022 and ranked 18th in the state in hitting percentage (0.382) and 13th in total blocks (126). She earned All-Conference and All-District honors for her performance and should continue developing into one of the area's top players.

Trishell Johnson (Daleville, junior OH/MH)

Johnson erupted as Daleville's top offensive player in 2022 and was a major reason why the team won another sectional title. She led the squad with 297 kills and was second in total blocks (46), and with the Broncos graduating five key seniors from last year's team, Johnson should be at the center of the game plan every night.

Emily Luce (Wapahani, sophomore libero)

Luce was the youngest Raider to receive consistent playing time in 2022, carving out a role alongside several veterans to notch 65 aces and 228 digs. But with the team's new-look roster, Luce will be thrust into the libero position and be a top player.

Mackenzie Meadows (Winchester, senior OH)

Winchester graduated six key seniors after last season, so Meadows will be asked to embrace a larger role in 2023. She notched 142 kills, 39 aces and 52 total blocks last year and should have more opportunities to accumulate stats as a senior.

Aubrey Miller (Muncie Burris, senior OH)

Right behind Howell leading Burris' offense last season was Miller, who totaled 196 kills and 42 aces. She's also a sound defender and tallied 328 digs and 416 service receptions, making her and All-Conference and All-District honoree and one of the area's better two-way players and stat sheet stuffers.

Chloe Miller (Muncie Central, sophomore DS/OH)

Miller enjoyed a solid all-around freshman campaign, notching 30 aces, 108 digs and a team-high 261 service receptions. With seven seniors gone, Miller's role should increase and give her a chance to build upon a strong start to her high school career.

Ella Mauck (Wes-Del, senior MH)

Mauck has steadily improved throughout her college career and enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, earning 2A Second Team All-State, All-MEC and All-County honors. Her hitting percentage (0.363) ranked 12th in 2A and she led the Warriors in total blocks (55) while ranking second in kills (191).

She headlines a strong senior class that is looking to make noise this postseason.

Jaelyn Morris (Blackford, junior libero)

Morris notched 499 digs in 2022, which ranked seventh in 2A. It was a major improvement from her freshman season, and the talented junior should continue showcasing her skills even more as an upperclassman and alongside an experienced roster.

Olivia Morris (Delta, senior MH)

Morris earned All-Delaware County and All-HHC honors last season and was a major factor in Delta's sectional championship run. She finished second on the team in kills (208), first in aces (39) and first in total blocks (58).

Now as a senior, Morris is the Eagles' leader and tone-setter and should again be one of the area's top players.

Rachel McGlothin (Wes-Del, senior OH)

McGlothin led the Warriors with 206 kills a year ago while adding 186 digs, earning her All-MEC and All-County Honorable Mention honors. She will again be a top offensive option for a Wes-Del group hoping to take advantage of its ideal mix of experience and talent.

Becca Overleese (Winchester, junior setter)

Overleese did well last season in her role and totaled 240 assists, but with the graduation of Reagan Riggin, Overleese elevates into Winchester's full-time setter position. Although the team's top attackers are also gone, she should increase her production.

Addie Phillippe (Delta, junior setter)

After a breakout freshman season in 2021, Phillippe played even better last fall. Her 726 assists ranked 13th in 3A, and she also added 109 digs and 47 kills.

The All-County Honorable Mention's role could be expanded to more than just setter duties in 2023, so Phillippe should continue to impress and be a key player for Delta.

Emily Reno (Delta, senior OH)

Reno is an All-County and All-Conference player who's enjoyed consecutive productive seasons for the Eagles. Although her numbers dipped from her sophomore to junior seasons, Reno was still a pivotal player during Delta's postseason run and added 166 kills and 25 total blocks.

Now as a senior, she should be one of the team's top offensive weapons.

Lauren Rich (Wapahani, senior OH/MH)

Wapahani graduated most of its offense from a season ago, and Rich is the best returning hitter and the team's lone senior in 2023. She tallied 207 kills as a junior and should have plenty of opportunities to increase that total, but she'll also be asked to do a little bit of everything on the court and be the team's leader.

Sophie Saxman (Jay County, senior setter)

Saxman excelled as Jay County's setter last season, totaling 385 assists in addition to 45 aces. But she moves into the role of a 5-1 setter this fall, which she's never done previously, but Saxman should again be one of her team's best overall players through assisting and defense.

Charlotte Vinson (Yorktown, junior OH)

After a stellar freshman season, Vinson in 2022 developed into one of the state's best players. Her 466 kills ranked 13th in Indiana, fifth in 4A and first in the HHC, and her 64 aces ranked 11th in 4A, marks that earned her All-State honors.

The Indiana commit also won an AAU 18U national title and received All-American honors while playing for Munciana this summer. She should continue being one of the nation's most dominant prospects and a must-watch every night.

Ella Young (New Castle, senior DS/setter)

Young's 356 kills ranked third in the HHC last season, but with the departure of former setter Kate Martin, her role shifts away from the net and toward setting up her teammates. She's also a solid defender who totaled 306 digs and 295 service receptions last year, making her a key part of the Trojans' roster.

Gus Martin is a sports reporter at The Star Press. Follow him on Twitter @GusMartin_SP, and contact him at gmartin@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: 26 ECI volleyball players to watch in 2023 IHSAA fall sports season