From 'Barbie' reviews to DJ duties, get to know 2023 IndyStar volleyball Super Team

Indiana is stacked with high school volleyball stars. Here is the 2023 preseason ALL-USA Central Indiana Super Team, recognizing 18 of the area's top players entering the new season.

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FIRST TEAM

Raegan Durbin, Western Boone

5-10, Jr., OH-DS

College: Not committed

Why she's here: After battling injuries as a freshman, Durbin demonstrated what she's capable of when completely healthy for an entire season, tallying 458 kills (.399 hitting percentage), 322 digs, 24 total blocks (14 solo) and 94 aces over 97 sets. A highly-coveted Division I recruit, she had WeBo within a set of taking out eventual Class 3A champion Providence in semistate.

Favorite TV show: "SWAT"

Favorite recent movie: "Top Gun Maverick"

Fun fact: In addition to skiing (water and snow), Durbin taught herself how to juggle during COVID lockdown. She watched a video on YouTube, ordered some balls off Amazon and practiced for hours on end. Now she can juggle just about anything spherical, like softballs and volleyballs. Next on the list: Fire (probably).

Lauren Harden, Hamilton Southeastern

6-3, Sr., OH

College: Florida

Why she's here: The top attacker on a team that's overloaded with standout hitters, Harden is an influential presence on the floor — especially at the net — and was the Class 4A state champion Royals' go-to hitter alongside Duquesne freshman Avery Hobson last season. The future Gator hit .317 with 337 kills, plus 69 total blocks, 95 digs, 12 aces and 15 assists.

Interviewed by Breonna Goss

Her car, a navy blue H3 Hummer named Roscoe: "It is my pride and joy and my child. I love that car so much. It has been through a lot with me, driving a lot of places, emptying my parents' bank account for gas, but it's the best car in the world. It's kind of my dad's also. I think he bought it more for himself than me — he's going to drive it when I go to college and he also got it before I even had my permit. But it's OK. It's mine for now."

Wearing leggings instead of spandex: Harden made the switch for the Royals' regular-season match at Yorktown last season. They ripped, but: "Ever since I've just really liked them. For me just being taller, it's a longer way to the ground and I feel like the leggings help me dive easier — and they keep my legs warm."

Macy Hinshaw, Hamilton Southeastern

5-9, Sr., S

College: Santa Clara

Why she's here: Hinshaw has arguably the most enviable position of anyone on this list — and maybe even the state — running an HSE offense that's stacked with talented attackers. She had 751 assists with only seven ball-handling errors on 1,291 attempts in her first full season as setter, and has 1,231 career assists.

Interviewed by Sophie Ledbetter

Best dancer on the team: "I think I know why you're asking this, but I would say Sophie's the best dancer just because she's funny."

Favorite hobby outside volleyball: "I have a boat, so I like going boating and tubing. I also just learned how to surf."

Favorite TV shows: "Gossip Girl" and "One Tree Hill"

Teammate most likely to give the stirring speech: Harden. "She always has something to say."

Aly Kirkhoff, Roncalli

5-6, Sr., L

College: LSU

Why she's here: The soon-to-be Bayou Bengal had the unenviable task of replacing Emma Halter at libero, and she did so with aplomb. Kirkhoff averaged 6.5 digs over 97 sets (628 total) and was charged with just 29 reception errors on 395 attempts. She also served up 39 aces and logged 71 assists.

Go-to show: "Grey's Anatomy"

Best movie she saw this summer: "Little Mermaid"

On her aux responsibilities: "We have a playlist that's been pretty much the same since my freshman year. We're all super superstitious, so we listen to the same music, we have dance circles and everything. It's a lot of fun in the locker room before games."

Best dancer on the team: "I'd like to say me. I don't know if I actually am, but I go out in the middle of the circle and have a lot of fun." Are you the one to start it? "Oh yeah. I'm like, is it dance time yet? Do you guys have your stuff on? I'm ready to dance. Let's go."

Taylor Lewis, Cathedral

6-1, Sr., MH-OH

College: Villanova

Why she's here: A three-sport standout, Lewis cleared 20 kills in seven matches, including the sectional semifinal vs. North Central wherein she scored 21 terminations on a .485 hitting percentage. She finished the season with career-highs in kills (395), aces (38) and digs (239), and totaled 23 blocks (11 solo).

A sport for every season: In addition to volleyball, Lewis also plays basketball and tennis. She's been hooping since she was in first grade — "It's been part of my life for so long, I can't really imagine where I'd be without it," she said — and started playing tennis again her freshman year.

Pregame ritual: Lewis takes three little hops and three tuck jumps to make sure her legs are warm before beginning warmups.

Best book she read this summer: "The Great Alone" by Kristin Hannah

Best dancer on the team: "Kamryn Utley's pretty good, so is sophomore Annabelle Hoban. And my sister Avery's weirdly good — she's just tall. I'm not sure what it is. I'm not a very good dancer. I can keep a rhythm; I just can't move my body very well."

Lola Schumacher, Brebeuf Jesuit

5-4, Sr., OH-L

College: Wisconsin

Why she's here: Schumacher, who chose Wisconsin over North Carolina, Washington and Southern California, led Brebeuf to a sectional championship in its first 4A season. The savvy back-row standout averaged 5.1 digs per set (431 total), with 63 assists, 33 aces, four solo blocks and 43 kills. She is within reach of 2,000 career digs (1,537), but will be moving to outside hitter for her senior season.

Start in volleyball: Schumacher first started playing volleyball her eighth-grade year (she was a basketball player — and went to her first tryout in basketball shorts and shoes). "My sister played volleyball, and I always wanted to beat her in everything. She played at The Academy, so I joined Team Indiana. Then I realized they're sponsored by Under Armour — Steph Curry is also sponsored by Under Armour and he's my favorite player. So whenever people ask, it's because of Steph Curry and the gear."

Random skill: Schumacher can play the ukulele. She bought one from a music store while on vacation with her family and learned to play via YouTube tutorials. "When you're by the campfire you can just whip it out and start playing, then everyone starts singing. It's like the person I've always wanted to be (that person) with the guitar. That's me now."

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SECOND TEAM

Logan Bell, Roncalli

5-11, Jr., OH

College: Oregon

Why she's here: The Royals' rising standout followed a strong freshman campaign by increasing both her efficiency (.242 hit%) and kill total (274) on the attack. Bell, who also recorded 307 digs, 22 blocks and 29 aces, has 538 kills and 656 digs through two seasons.

Special talent: Handstands. (She used to be a gymnast.)

Favorite hiking trip: Bell and her family went to Utah a couple years ago and hiked The Mighty 5: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. "It was beautiful out there. Pictures don't do it justice."

Go-to TV shows: "Fixer Upper", "Good Bones" — "just anything that's HGTV-related."

Who's going to get aux in the locker room? Aly Kirkhoff. "I'm excited. She's great with the aux." What do you think she'll play? "Probably some Rihanna or Beyonce, something like that."

Lauren Evans, Carmel

6-0, Sr., OH

College: Butler

Why she's here: Evans registered 295 kills, 59 aces, 24 total blocks, 48 assists and 332 digs, with only 18 errors on 548 receptions. The future Butler Bulldog missed two months of the club season with a quad injury, but was able to travel with her Munciana club team to nationals (they won).

Fun fact: Evans played basketball growing up, but stopped around seventh grade. "My dad played, so he coached me and I would get annoyed, so there came a time when I was just like, 'Volleyball is better.' (laughs)"

What she likes about volleyball: "Every play is intense. You have to be locked in and focused to better the ball for the next girl. And everyone's getting action. There's no hiding in volleyball. Everyone has an essential role."

Who are the team's hype people? Juniors Avery Carroll or Noema Philisten-Lynch. "They get us pumped up. They have good energy before games. If anyone is ever nervous or anything, they joke around and it lightens the mood."

Breonna Goss, Hamilton Southeastern

5-11, Sr., MH

College: Duke

Why she's here: Goss played a starring role in the Royals' championship run. She caught fire against defending 4A champ McCutcheon in regionals (10 kills, .643 hit%, six blocks) and was of equal importance in the final with eight kills vs. Yorktown. She finished the season with 163 kills (.397 hit%) and 125 total blocks (17 solo).

Interviewed by Lauren Harden

Current TV show: "The Summer I Turned Pretty"

Why she chose Duke: "I chose Duke for the academic experience as well as the athletic experience. The coaches and the faculty are really nice, and they have long-term connections that can help after volleyball."

Who gets aux in the locker room? Lauren Harden.

Secret talent: Baking.

Fun fact: Goss ran track and played basketball until her freshman year. She qualified for the Junior Olympics three times as a hurdler. As for basketball … "I don't know. My parents made me do that one."

Sophie Ledbetter, Hamilton Southeastern

5-9, Sr., L

College: Ball State

Why she's here: Last season brought a change in position for Ledbetter, who moved from hitter to libero. And she was excellent. The Ball State commit anchored the Royals' back row, accumulating 482 digs (4.4 per set), 53 aces and 134 assists over 109 sets. She had 17 reception errors in 382 attempts.

Interviewed by Macy Hinshaw

Favorite part about being a libero: "I really just love digging balls to my setter, Macy Hinshaw, and yeah, just keeping the ball off the floor."

What's your go-to hairstyle for game days? One low ponytail and some bubble braids.

Current TV binge: "Suits"

Pickleball: "I'm actually in a league. I got into it because my grandparents have a court at their house, so I used to play with them a lot and I've just loved it ever since. … I'll probably quit volleyball and play pickleball. It's my true love. (laughs)"

Sophia Mayo, Perry Meridian

6-1, Sr., OH

College: Florida International

Why she's here: A career year for Mayo resulted in a banner season for the upstart Falcons. Mayo posted career-highs in kills (377), total blocks (65) and digs (102), and led Perry Meridian to a 24-7 finish, its best since 2014. That record included 28 kills (.311 hit%) in a five-set win over Center Grove, PN's first in the series since 2013.

Hobby outside volleyball: Painting. "I paint really just anything that comes to mind. I'll take my time on it and not make myself rush — being able to take my time on it is a huge stress reliever."

Pre-match routine: "I like to be by myself, get in my zone and do my thing. I'm not a big fan of listening to music. I just like to watch what's going on before me, like the JV game, and get into it. It gets me hype and ready to play."

Music of choice in the Falcons' locker room: Classic Justin Bieber or Taylor Swift. (Dakota Elliott and Lucy Richardson control the aux)

Kamryn Utley, Cathedral

5-8, Sr., S

College: Lehigh

Why she's here: The former Lawrence North Wildcat shined in her first season with the Fighting Irish, totaling 790 assists to eclipse 1,000 for her career, plus 207 digs, 26 blocks, 30 aces and 57 kills (.495 hit%). She had over 50 assists in three matches for the sectional champs.

Current TV binge: "Bones". "I love forensic science and I really, really like that show so I've been on a binge. Five straight seasons. I'm really hoping my favorite couple gets together — that's why I'm watching it." (Utley also took an anatomy class last year and really enjoyed it, hence her interest in the show.)

Favorite movie franchise: "Fast and Furious". "That's my all-time favorite, no matter how cringey people say it is." Was the last one good? "No. Coach (Karrie Quenichet's) daughter, Kasey, and I went to see it and we were like, 'Wow, this is really — different — from how the first one was."

Thoughts on "Barbie": "I thought it was really good and had a good message. I texted my mom and told her we had to see it together because it was really good. … The mother-daughter thing, I texted my mom and told her I was crying in the theater right now."

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THIRD TEAM

Isabelle Brown, Avon

5-9, Jr., S

College: Not committed

Why she's here: Brown made her varsity debut as a sophomore last season, averaging 8.2 assists over 99 sets played (815 total). She also registered 87 kills, 45 aces, 254 digs and 56 blocks for the Orioles, who finished the season with 15 wins and runner-up in their sectional.

Summer binge: "The Office"

Christmas Every Day: Brown is a big fan of Christmas movies and watches them year-round. She doesn't have a go-to flick — "I love them all" — but her favorite is "Elf".

Match she's most looking forward to: Center Grove — club teammates Reese Dunkle and Ellen Zapp play for the Trojans — and, of course, rival Brownsburg. "We had a tough time with them last year, but I think we can step up this year."

Reese Dunkle, Center Grove

6-3, Jr., MB

College: Northwestern

Why she's here: A towering blocker, Dunkle posted 134 total blocks (15 solo; 236 for her career) and 275 kills with a .318 hit%. She also logged 48 digs and served up 11 aces over 112 sets played.

Favorite eatery: Chipotle

Academics: Dunkle plans to major in economics. "I like math, numbers — not so much a literature and social studies person."

It feels like one of those nights (to go viral): A noted Taylor Swift fan, Dunkle joined the "Our Song" trend on TikTok in May. And the views took off faster than a green light go, drawing over 3 million views and netting Dunkle nearly 4,000 followers. Her favorite activity has been reading the comments, which range from "I love your content! Make more!" to "This is so cringey."

"The hate comments, they really get to me," she laughed.

The agreement: Dunkle and her mom agreed that if her TikTok reached a million views, she would buy her Taylor Swift tickets. "But apparently she didn't realize how expensive they were, because I am still ticketless. … It's a sore subject." (Dunkle had inside word about the extra shows in Indianapolis, but we're sad to report she did not receive a presale code.)

Riley Resmer, Noblesville

6-1, Sr., MB-RS

College: Harvard

Why she's here: Resmer was at the forefront of a breakout campaign by the Millers, whose 24 wins were their most since 2014. For her part, the Harvard recruit notched 61 total blocks, 228 kills (.414 hit%), 32 aces and 71 digs over 101 sets.

Best book she's read this summer: "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros

Favorite summer movie: "Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning". Resmer also saw "Barbie" with a group of friends. She wore a pink dress, one friend dressed up in pink cowboy boots and another went as "Pajama Party Barbie."

Best dancer: "Anna Elkin is the most willing to go without any (music), but if you get her going, Maddie Coates is great. Like at prom and homecoming, she's the one you want to be next to."

Leah Richmond, Lawrence North

5-8, Sr., S

College: Western Michigan

Why she's here: Tasked with leading a relatively inexperienced Wildcats offense, Richmond averaged 7.9 assists per set (742 total) and ranked third on the team with 191 kills (.329 hit%). She led LN in both solo blocks (25) and total blocks (100), and registered 47 aces and 156 digs.

Best handshake/celebration she has with a teammate: Chest bump with libero Bella Dafforn.

Did you know: Richmond coaches with The Academy Volleyball Club, and has been since she was an eighth grader. She says it's helped her "learn more about the game itself," as instructing players forces her to be more mindful of what she's doing as a player. "After I'm done playing, I could see myself coaching for sure."

Richmond is also involved with Lawrence North's Unified track program, doing long jump and the 100-meter dash in the spring. "It's fun and working with the kids is definitely rewarding."

Family ties: Richmond's older brother played two seasons of college baseball at a JUCO in Iowa, and is transferring to Western Michigan for his final two seasons.

Alaleh Tolliver, North Central

5-11, Sr., OH

College: Butler

Why she's here: Tolliver led the Panthers' attack with 299 kills, ranked second in aces (33) and third in digs (163). She also blocked 21 shots and registered 22 assists. Her efforts helped NC to a winning record for a second consecutive season (had none since at least 2007-08).

What she's been watching: "The Summer I Turned Pretty" and "90210" (2009)

Favorite summer movie: "Barbie". "It was real. Like, I felt it, you know? I started crying — it brought up things about moms, it was very emotional, but it was also very funny."

Who gets aux in the locker room? Junior hitter Marlina Anderson (or junior DS Maddie Wilson). "Marlina has the best playlist. It's random, but trendier songs — a lot of rap, that gets me hype. It's clean, don't worry, and there's some country in there, too." (The music played in the locker room is also played in the gym.)

Ava Utterback, Plainfield

5-11, Sr., OH

College: Louisville

Why she's here: Utterback's junior season was cut short by a stress fracture in her leg, but she still managed to accumulate 82 kills (.287 hit%) over 25 sets with 14 aces, 21 blocks and 97 digs. She enters her senior year with 714 career kills.

Benefits of last season: Utterback said focusing on being a positive force on the bench and focusing on her teammates helped keep her mind off her leg and aided her mental growth. "I was used to it by the middle of the season. I just wanted to keep going, keep doing what was best for them and keep everyone else positive, as well as myself."

Best TV show she's been watching: "Don't get mad at me, but the Kardashians. That's literally my favorite show. I love all the drama on there." Favorite one? "Khloe. She's my favorite Kardashian. She's just so real (laughs)."

Who gets aux in the locker room? Sophomore Eliana Tucker. "Every single time, if we have practice, we have workouts, we're in the locker room, she has the best music every time, so we're always looking to her. And if she's not there, it's bad."

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school girls volleyball Super Team: Indy's best players