Senior leadership guiding Benton Central volleyball into IHSAA regionals

Benton Central has rarely found itself out of rhythm during a historical 2023 season heading into the IHSAA 3A regional on Saturday at Norwell High School.

Setting the tone for Benton Central (34-1) has been a strong cast of underclassmen along with three senior captain outside hitters Sienna Foster, Jaycee Strawsma and middle hitter Rachel Tolen.

Foster (249 kills, 47.3 kill percentage, .395 hit percentage) is committed to Purdue as a defensive specialist while Strawsma (181 kills, 40.9 kill percentage, .255 hit percentage) has committed to Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne.

"I feel like this year's team is all about culture, not just about skill," Foster said. "I feel that all the personalities we have on the team allow us to be as successful as we are."

Rounding out Benton Central is Tolen, a player head coach Scott Mattson described as "hitting her stride as a volleyball player."

"It's important to recognize the seniors because they've been leaders on and off the court," Mattson said. "They've been good to each other and their teammates. They hold themselves accountable and they are able to relate to their teammates that holds them accountable without putting them down."

Foster is hoping to have her team's focus in check as the program looks to capture its first 3A State Championship by getting through this Saturday's grueling 2-game single-elimination circuit.

Facing Benton Central is New Castle (26-8) at 11 a.m., a team led by 6-foot-2 outside hitter Lauren Wilson (497 kills, 39.6 kill percentage and .267 hitting percentage) and senior setter Ella Young (755 assists)

Young is committed to Lees-McRae, an NCAA Division II school located in Banner Elk, North Carolina.

The winner of the morning matchup will play in the Regional Championships at 7 p.m. against either Angola (33-1) or Bellmont (31-2).

Strawsma, a player described as Benton Central's off-the-court leader, believes there's been a higher level of commitment in 2023. The Bison started the season winning 23 games and have dropped just six sets.

"Hopefully that will carry us through regionals," Strawsma said.

Rounding out the team is Tolen as she tries to provide strong support as an additional hitter for New Castle to think about on Saturday morning.

"We've just been working hard, put we haven't been trying to kill ourselves," Tolen said. "We've just been focusing and trying to prepare."

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Benton Central girls volleyball guided by three senior leaders