IHSAA volleyball preseason Fab 15: HSE is clear favorite, but the rest is up for debate

Starting this article with a spoiler warning: Hamilton Southeastern volleyball arrives as the best team in the area, the state and perhaps even the country. The reigning Class 4A state champions are a no-brainer for the top spot in our preseason rankings, but everything from there is up for debate with basically every other team in the state graduating at least one (usually more) key pieces.

Here's my best attempt at ranking the top 15 teams in Central Indiana.

IHSAA volleyball preview: Getting you ready for 2023 season

1. Hamilton Southeastern (34-1, 4A champions)

The best high school volleyball team in the country arguably resides in Fishers, Ind. That's not to say the Royals are shoe-ins for a repeat Class 4A title run (there are formidable threats within their own sectional), but man, their roster is incredibly talented and remarkably deep.

The offense, run by setters Macy Hinshaw (Santa Clara commit) and up-and-comer Ava Hunter, features seniors Lauren Harden (Florida), Breonna Goss (Duke), Tiffany Snook (Memphis) and Maddi Evett, plus junior Lindsey Mangelson, who's had an excellent summer. Ball State commit Sophie Ledbetter anchors the back row at libero alongside DS Kaylyn Christy, who is recovering from an offseason injury.

Another name to know: Sophomore Madi Miles, who is expected to see time at outside hitter and on the right side (because you can never have too many talented attackers, apparently).

The biggest challenge facing this group will be rekindling the chemistry of a year ago.

2. Cathedral (23-10, regionals)

The Fighting Irish graduated seven seniors, including four college recruits, but the battery of their offense is for a final season with Villanova commit Taylor Lewis at outside hitter and Lehigh commit Kamryn Utley at setter.

The defense will be anchored by senior Addison Bakemeyer, who's another of Cathedral's seven key returners (hitters Jordan Peter and Kate Kubacki, and middle blockers Josie Myers and Avery Lewis are the others).

That core of returners will be bolstered by nine newcomers (four freshmen and two sophomores).

3. North Central (18-12)

The Panthers were one of the most talked-about teams during media day last week — and for good reason. They return basically their entire lineup from last season, and add back senior middle blocker Marlina Anderson, who missed last season due to injury. That core of returners is highlighted by Butler commit Alaleh Tolliver (outside hitter) and Penn commit Emery Moore (setter), both of whom were Junior All-Stars, as well as middle blocker Daya Vestal, setter Whitney Scherrer and hitter Addison Decker.

North Central will have to replace libero Brooke Brown, who's out due to injury.

NC travels to Crown Point this weekend where it will have matches against Cathedral and Brownsburg, among others.

4. Roncalli (22-9)

The Royals will be retooling their attack after graduating their top four leaders in kills, but the two top returners — juniors Logan Bell and Mackenzie Kruer — ranked first and fourth in that category, with Bell hitting .242 and Kruer hitting .358. Addie Haberthy is expected to help step in for Monica Jones as setter, while Aly Kirkhoff reprises her role as starting libero (she was excellent in her first varsity season at the position).

A September stretch of Center Grove, Mt. Vernon and Brebeuf Jesuit should give an idea of where this team's at.

5. Lawrence North (16-18)

The Wildcats return nearly their entire lineup from a year ago, including Western Michigan-bound setter Leah Richmond, who's one of six returning seniors. She'll be running an offense that features junior Jasmine Glenn and Brayah Conley — the team's kills leaders — on the outside, plus middles Aolani Cannon and Lilah Odegard (also plays right side), who combined for 156 blocks.

Richmond also spoke highly of libero Bella Dafforn, who registered 47 aces and 359 digs as a sophomore.

LN also returns seniors Megan Fasbender on the right side and Emily Knox at defensive specialist. Junior Nile Johnson, a 5-10 middle, is the team's only addition to the varsity roster.

6. Brebeuf Jesuit (26-4, regionals)

It will be a new-look Braves outfit in their second season at the Class 4A level, and perhaps the most notable change involves Wisconsin commit Lola Schumacher, who's moving from libero to outside hitter with fellow senior Meryl Zunk, who totaled 223 kills. (In case you were wondering, this isn't an entirely new position for Schumacher, who began her career as an outside hitter — and played there during last year's regular-season match vs. Yorktown).

Junior Penn State commit Lexi Gin will replace Schumacher at libero, with sophomores Reese Blanchard and Harper Krautkramer joining the varsity roster at setter and defensive specialist, respectively.

7. Brownsburg (25-8, regionals)

It's the start of a new era for the Bulldogs, who are replacing star hitter Quinci Thomas (1,894 career kills) and libero Ella Hemmings. But there are a couple experienced players ready to step up offensively — senior middle blocker Abby Sollenberger and sophomore London Smith — as well as a pair of notable newcomers in junior outside Delaney Steers and sophomore middle Sophia N'gbesso. Junior Aysa Thomas will reprise her role as setter.

8. Westfield (14-12)

North Central was the talk among the players, and the Shamrocks are on the radar for a number of area coaches. Senior Lilly Tucker was very good at defensive specialist, while senior Lilly Stanton and Isabelle Jackson both shined at setter with 476 and 459 assists, respectively. Stella Terpening and Chloe Sutake — the team leaders in blocks — return, as do three of the team's top-four attackers (Sutake, Ella Jenkins and Terpening).

9. Zionsville (20-12)

Keep an eye on the Eagles this fall. They return four of their top five attackers, all of whom had at least 140 kills (three over 170). That group's led by Boston College commit Isabelle Poehlein, who led the way with 253 terminations with a .280 hit%, and 5-10 sophomore Josie Imes, who ranked second. Sadie Meenan and Sophia Poehlein (Isabelle's twin sister) also return to the attack.

Setters Alexa Green and Amanda Evers are back, but Zionsville — which also adds another setter in Mya Cunningham — graduated its top two defensive specialists from 2022. Junior Claudia Antcliff logged 127 digs and 171 receptions over 86 sets.

10. Noblesville (24-7)

There are vacancies in the Millers' lineup following the graduation of kills leader Ava Harris and libero Ava Randle, but they are poised to build upon last season's success (24 wins were their most since 2014).

The Resmer sisters, senior Harvard commit Riley and sophomore Reese, give the team a pair of standout 6-foot middles, which should open things up for their pins (see: Anna Elkin and Aubrey Stitcher). Junior Chloe Macias is also expected to see time at middle blocker and right side hitter.

Sophomore Madison Brown reprises her role as starting setter.

11. Perry Meridian (24-7)

It's an obnoxiously designed sectional with both Brebeuf and Roncalli to contend with, but the Falcons are poised to build off their first 20-win campaign since 2015 with a talented and deep senior core. They should be especially good up front with Florida International commit Sophia Mayo, Izzy Egan and Bella Shepherd at hitter (Shepherd also sets), plus Dakota Elliott (184 blocks) and Alani Duncan at middle blocker.

Lucy Richardson returns as defensive specialist (libero Stevie Earley graduated), as does sophomore setter Martina Mays.

Newcomers include juniors Kendall Brookbank and Janie Berkemeier at outside hitter and defensive specialist, respectively.

12. Franklin (21-10)

The Grizzly Cubs return their top eight players from a year ago, headlined by seniors Scarlett Kimbrell (outside hitter), Veronica Whitaker (middle hitter) and Kennedy Urban (setter). They're joined by juniors Aubrey Runyon (middle hitter), Katie Pinnick (libero) and Maggie Doty (DS) as well as sophomore hitter Rose Mahin.

Franklin's 21-10 finish to last season included a runner-up finish in the Johnson County tournament, the Mid-State Conference and at the sectional tournament (lost to Columbus East in five sets).

13. Carmel (22-10)

The Greyhounds are young, having graduated a number of key seniors including hitters Emily Waddell and Jessica Pickett, but senior Butler commit Lauren Evans and junior Avery Carroll were two of the team's three leaders in kills, and freshman London Evans — Lauren's younger sister — joins the roster at setter. Other notable newcomers include freshman middle hitter Lila Bruszewski, sophomores Sarah Neglia and Lexi Kedvesh, and junior middle Noema Phillistin-Lynch.

Carmel's schedule provides exactly zero chill with Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern and Roncalli lined up over the first five days of the season. (Good lord.)

14. Fishers (19-9)

The Tigers we see in the opener against Carmel will likely look vastly different from the outfit that takes the floor for sectionals in a couple months. They graduated a ton of experience (including IU middle Ava Vickers and South Alabama setter Margo Hernandez), but have a quartet of experienced upperclassmen to lean on for leadership: seniors Lucy Kay (Belmont commit; middle blocker) and Natalie Lux (DS), and juniors Jules Kellogg (DS) and Ellen Roberts (OH).

Newcomers Niki Skudrzik, a senior outside hitter, Jurnee Hall, a junior middle blocker, and Kylie Wilson, a sophomore hitter will also help bolster the lineup.

15. Western Boone (26-7, semistate)

The Stars will be looking to reload in 2023 after coming within a set of a second consecutive state finals appearance last season. That's a tall task for a group that graduated seven seniors, including libero Elena Gubera, but they have an excellent nucleus to build upon with Super Team hitter Raegan Durbin and setter Janie Ransom both returning for their junior season, as well as senior right side Alayna Christner.

Emmerson Gott, a 6-foot sophomore outside hitter, is coming off a strong summer on the club circuit, according to Durbin, who's also excited about the team's core of defensive specialists.

WeBo's schedule includes Hamilton Heights, Zionsville, McCutcheon, Tri-West and Plainfield.

Bonus picks

Because, again, everything beyond No. 1 is anyone's guess.

Avon (15-17)

Playing in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference and sharing a sectional with Brownsburg makes for tough sledding, but the Orioles' 2022 resume included quality wins over Tri-West, Noblesville and Columbus East, plus a five-set loss to Westfield.

Avon has a quality setter in junior Belle Brown and depth surrounding her on the attack with right side Alexis Maesch and 6-0 hitter Ania Kilburn. Outside hitting will be critical to this team's success, coach Scott McQueen noted, but the young team is beginning to mature.

Sophomore Brittain Bills will start at libero.

Center Grove (19-16)

The Trojans are experienced and boast what should be a potent attack with senior Houston Baptist commit Sophie Sabol and junior Ellen Zapp both returning alongside senior setter Emma Leavitt, who earned the starting role last season. There's also junior middle blocker Reese Dunkle, a Northwestern commit, who hit .314 and blocked 134 shots.

The defense features returners Sheridan Young at libero and Maddi Higginson at DS. Anna Schembra may also see time at setter.

Lutheran (18-18, semistate)

The Saints tested themselves against a loaded regular-season schedule and reaped the rewards in October, dropping just one set en route to the semistate final vs. Tecumseh. They graduated six seniors from that group, including setter Regan Wilson, so there will undoubtedly be some growing pains offensively. But they have some size (and experience) at the net with seniors Grace King, Hadleigh Filipovich and Brooklyn Ormsby, and a quality libero in junior Cathryn Erwin (expect defense to be a strength for this group).

That experience at hitter should help freshman Reagan Crabtree settle in running the offense.

Plainfield (10-21)

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school girls volleyball rankings: Preseason Fab 15