Harrison reaches boys volleyball sectional title match against Westfield

WEST LAFAYETTE - Harrison seniors Conner Blevins and Andrew Hostetler gave each other a warm embrace after the final whistle sounded on their historic 2024 season.

The Raiders found themselves in their second straight and final IBVCA boys volleyball sectional championship before the sport officially joins the IHSAA in 2025.

Harrison (19-8), a program still in its infancy after finishing its second season, saw both what it was capable of and where it needed to head next in order to be a state championship level squad.

After a grueling four set grind out win on Saturday afternoon against area rival Lafayette Jeff, the Raiders were outplayed by No. 1 seed Westfield.

Westfield was quick and sharp with its ball control and displaced the Raiders backrow routinely in a 25-17 25-17 25-23 sweep to win the IBVCA Sectional title game at Crawley Center.

"It's going to take a little bit of time and I think as a community between Harrison, McCutcheon and Lafayette Jeff we are raising eyebrows," Hostetler said.

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Westfield (25-4) was led by explosive 6-foot-2 outside hitter Carlo Huisden, 6-foot-3 outside hitter Dominick Parisi with strong passing, setting and backrow support from juniors libero Chase Graff, right side CJ Fox and sophomore setter Graham France.

Huisden slammed 14 kills, Parisi added 11 kills while Graff led the back row with 12 digs, Fox had 11 digs and six kills and France delivered 37 assists.

"We are getting kids out of here (into college) and I don't see why we won't be competing at the same level the Indy schools are competing at," Hostetler said.

Hostetler and Blevins part ways after leading the program for two seasons and guiding the Raiders to their first sectional title in 2023.

Blevins player finding love for their sport in their own way.

Hostetler's mom Kristie coached the team and had innate skills with all the games and skills he practiced with her at their West Lafayette home. Now Hostetler is making the next step after signing a volleyball scholarship to Wabash College in April.

"It's kind of nice knowing we are the foundation of this program and what happens in the future is because of us," Hostetler said.

Blevins has been an avid fan of volleyball and served as the girls volleyball manager for Harrison. He helped the Raiders earn the IHSAA Class 4A Sectional title over McCutcheon in the fall.

"It was definitely rewarding with all the work we put in," Blevins said. "Managing with the girls is a great experience to learn the game at such a high level especially with Grace (Klemme) and Riley (Whitlock). We played at such a high level learning from them and practicing with them teaches you so much."

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Now Blevins plans to pursue coaching and put the wisdom he gained from Kristie Hostetler and girls varsity coach Jacklyn Lehe into action.

"I've learned from them to stay calm and stay confident," Blevins said. "They've believed in me and the gifts I have so it helps me be confident in any situation so I can perform to the highest of my abilities.

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter at EthanAHansonand Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Harrison falls to Westfield in Indiana boys volleyball sectional title match