Indiana

State finalists & record-setters: Meet Central Indiana’s top sophomore volleyball players

Published

6 months ago

November 18, 2025

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State finalists & record-setters: Meet Central Indiana’s top sophomore volleyball players

Meet Central Indiana’s top performing volleyball players from the Class of 2028

The Class of 2028 was heavily involved in a number of deep volleyball state tournament runs this fall, including a pair of state finalists.

Let’s meet the top Indy-area sophomores from the 2025 IHSAA high school volleyball season.

FIRST TEAM

Blaine Adams, Cathedral, OH-OPP

The 5-9 attacker led the Irish with 276 kills. She reached double-digit kills in a dozen matches (14 in a five-set win over Roncalli) and tacked 110 digs and 25 blocks onto her season line.

Charlee Groninger, Plainfield, S

Groninger established herself among the area’s best at her position, piling up 1,249 assists — quadruple her total from a season ago — across 117 sets for the Class 4A state runner-up Quakers. She added 98 kills, 34 aces, 38 total blocks and 244 digs.

Caitlyn Gutt, Fishers, S

The 5-10 sophomore worked in tandem with senior Ava Tester, registering 416 assists with only 16 errors on 1,205 attempts. She also picked up 146 digs, 36 aces and 17 kills. Gutt reached 20 assists in five-set decisions vs. Hamilton Heights and Center Grove, and had 19 in three other outings.

Ryelle Koomler, Franklin Central, OH

The 5-10 attacker led the sectional runner-up Flashes with 382 kills on .226 hitting. She added 222 digs, 39 aces, 11 blocks and a couple aces to her season line. Koomler’s campaign was highlighted by a pair of 22-kill performances, and she had 19 terminations in a five-set loss to Center Grove in early September.

Sophie Orlando, Brownsburg, OPP

The right-side hitter shined in her first full varsity season. 36 of her 60 total blocks were solo efforts and she hit .253 en route to her 248 kills. Orlando, who rounded out her line with 51 digs, set a career-high with 20 kills on .293 hitting in a five-set loss to Roncalli.

Maggie Sliwa, Hamilton Southeastern, S

Sliwa split time running the Royals’ offense with senior Jasmine Daniels, recording 378 assists and 94 digs in 96 sets. The 6-2 setter clocked double-digit assists in 20 matches, including 25 against both Westfield and Center Grove.

Rosanna Spearing, Roncalli, OH

One of the state champion Royals’ top attackers, Spearing finished the year with 262 kills, plus 43 aces, 255 digs, 20 total blocks and 13 assists. The 5-8 rising standout cleared double-digit kills in 12 matches, including 17 vs. Brownsburg in October.

Audrey Utterback, Plainfield, OH

A prolific attacker, the 5-9 outside cleared 1,000 career kills, totaling 606 (.280 hit%) in her second varsity season. She also served 52 aces, blocked 42 shots, racked up 349 digs (591 career) and setting a career-high with 22 assists.

Amaya Zander, Lawrence North, OH

Zander enjoyed a record-setting fall, recording 449 kills (single-season record) on .222 hitting, leaving her with 582 for her career. She had 37 terminations (.301 hit%) in a five-set loss to Hamilton Heights in August, one of five matches with 20-plus kills. Zander recorded 17 aces, 18 blocks, 89 digs and 10 assists across 107 sets.

SECOND TEAM

Karis Barnes, Lawrence Central, OH

Barnes shined on the Bears’ attack, racking up 327 kills (3.4 per set) on .230 hitting. She also set career-highs in aces (87) and digs (244), and matched her previous high with 12 kills. Barnes set her season-high with 20 kills on .224 hitting against Warren Central, one of her eight outings with 15-plus kills.

Caroline Brown, Lebanon, S

Brown recorded a career-high 893 assists in her second season running the Tigers’ offense, with only 14 errors on 2,174 attempts. That highlighted a well-rounded line by the sophomore setter, who also registered 58 aces, 145 digs, 19 blocks and 72 kills.

Alaina Darlage, Triton Central, L-DS

The sophomore libero was excellent in her first full varsity season, averaging 10.8 digs per match (336 total). She also served 56 aces and 246 points, and logged 92 assists. Darlage has 361 career digs entering her junior year.

Harper Drzakowski, Danville, L

Drzakowski accumulated 419 digs, 30 aces and 69 assists in her first full varsity season. She was charged with just 31 reception errors on 407 attempts, and set her season-high with 37 digs in a five-set loss to Hamilton Heights in early September.

Josie Hunt, Eastern Hancock, OH

The 5-7 pin scored 25 kills against Shenandoah, 23 vs. Greenfield-Central and 21 vs. Lapel. Those outings highlighted a strong sophomore campaign, wherein she racked up 375 kills, 195 digs, 51 aces and 15 blocks for the 25-win Royals.

Maddison Judge, Greenwood, MH

The 6-foot sophomore led the Woodmen with 320 kills on an impressive .384 hitting. She also blocked 81 shots, served 19 aces and dug out 61 shots. Judge set her season-high with 20 kills (.375 hit%) vs. Perry Meridian in late September, then eclipsed that mark with 22 (.553 hit%) in a four-set win over Southport in early October.

Adria Jump, Sheridan, S

The multi-sport athlete registered 599 assists to move past 1,200 for her career. She was also the sectional champions’ second-leading attacker with 126 kills on .261 hitting. Jump also recorded 95 aces, 26 blocks (15 solo) and a career-high 363 digs.

Lainey Mendenhall, Sheridan, OH-MB

Mendenhall set career-highs in kills (404), aces (46), digs (264) and assists (32), and notched 30 total blocks (18 solo). She matched her season-high in the sectional championship match vs. Lapel, accumulating 26 kills on .258 hitting (she also logged 20 digs).

Brooke Neale, Westfield, DS

The 5-6 defensive specialist averaged 8.4 digs per match, totaling 235 over 94 sets. She scored a kill for the consecutive season and exceeded her previous high for aces (44) and service points (202). Neale had 23 digs in a five-set win over HSE in the sectional semifinals.

Cecilia Prather, Danville, S

Prather totaled 820 assists over 95 sets in her first varsity season. She cleared 20 assists in all but five matches, with 40-plus in four. Prather set her season-high with 51 assists in a five-set win vs. Franklin, and rounded out her season line with 60 kills, 39 aces, 34 blocks and 251 digs.

Larkin Prosser, Mooresville, S

The second-year starter maintained her progression in year two, improving both her assists total (530) and efficiency (seven in 1,606 attempts). Prosser, who has 941 career assists, tallied 262 digs, 18 blocks, 75 aces and 87 kills across 85 sets played.

Krosley Riggs, Lapel, OH

Riggs clocked 208 kills and 304 digs in her second varsity season, leaving her with 400 kills and 567 digs for her career. She also added 72 aces (223 points), five blocks and 10 assists. Riggs had 34 digs and eight kills in the sectional championship match vs. Sheridan.

THIRD TEAM

Chloe Canada, Tri-West, OPP

Canada tallied 197 kills on .226 hitting and 36 blocks in her first varsity season (she played two sets as a freshman). She added 234 digs, two aces and seven assists. Canada recorded 21 digs at semistate vs. Jasper, and 11 kills on .333 hitting against Plainfield in September.

Myra Finnity, Greenwood Christian, MB

The 6-1 sophomore recorded 84 blocks, 35 of which were solo efforts. She reached seven blocks against Perry Meridian and Scecina, and logged five in both matches vs. 3A’s New Palestine. Finnity rounded out her line with 99 kills on .227 hitting, eight aces, 44 digs and 10 assists for the regional champions.

Evaana Galbreath, Lawrence Central, S-OPP

Galbreath accumulated 571 assists, 198 digs, 52 aces and 12 blocks over 92 sets. She had four matches with 30-plus assists, including a career-high 40 in a four-set win over Speedway in August.

Stella Hamood, Avon, L-DS

Hamood scored 466 digs across 88 sets, averaging 16.6 per match. She posted 30 aces and seven kills, as well, plus 69 assists – three more than her total from 2024. Hamood reached a season-high 31 digs in a four-set loss to Bellmont.

Allie Kizzee, Monrovia, OPP-DS

Kizzee recorded 71 aces and 167 service points across 101 sets. She had seven aces in a three-set sweep of Beech Grove, and has 84 for her career. Kizzee picked up 221 digs, as well.

Mckenna Muncy, Danville, MB

The second-year middle reset her career-high with 231 kills on .351 hitting. She also racked up 49 blocks, 26 digs and eight assists. Muncy had nine matches with 10-plus kills, led by 17 on .400 hitting vs. Terre Haute North.

Malia Norfleet, Lawrence North, MB

The 5-9 middle averaged over a block per match, totaling 47 (15 solo) over 106 sets played. She also registered 145 kills, four aces, 12 digs and three assists. Norfleet had seven blocks in a three-set loss to two-time defending Class A state champion Trinity Lutheran in August.

Lillian Pass, Lutheran, OH-OPP

Pass built upon a strong freshman campaign, recording 277 kills on .209 hitting, 55 aces, 134 digs and eight assists — all career-highs. She completed her line with 24 blocks, two off her total from a year ago.

Kenleigh Raby, Western Boone, S

Raby ran the Stars’ retooled offense at a high-level, averaging 7.4 assists over 84 sets (620 total). She also notched 192 digs, 22 aces, 26 kills and 14 blocks. Raby tallied 45 assists in a five-set win over Frankfort and 40 in a five-set loss to Cascade.

Olivia Reeves, Greenfield-Central, OH-OPP

Reeves will be the Cougars’ top returning attacker next season. She scored 279 kills, second most on the team, as a sophomore, and rounded out her line with 38 aces, 107 digs, eight blocks and eight assists.

Olivia Schiffli, Hamilton Heights, OH

Schiffli shined alongside Macie Smith on the Huskies’ attack, piling up 279 kills in 95 sets. She also recorded 173 digs, 44 aces, 16 blocks and eight assists for the regional champions, and will be a cornerstone for this program entering next season.

Genevieve Schroeder, Greenwood, OH

Schroeder picked up 149 kills, 43 aces, eight blocks and 129 digs in her first full varsity season. She had four matches with 10-plus terminations, led by 12 in a four-set win over Southport. She also tallied 11 kills on .400 hitting in a three-set loss to New Palestine.

Micah Shanklin, Lawrence North, MB

Shanklin led the Wildcats with her 49 blocks, 14 of which were solo efforts. She set her season-high with six blocks against Warren Central and had four against Trinity Lutheran. Shanklin logged seven kills in three matches, and finished the season with 114 terminations (.303 hitting).

Stella Short, Pendleton Heights, L

The second-year libero averaged 6.5 digs per match and 2.2 per set, with 206 over 95 sets. She was among the team leaders with 61 aces and logged 75 assists. Short had five aces in two matches, and cleared 10 digs on eight occasions.

Tay Walker, Greenfield-Central, OH-OPP

Walker logged 218 terminations, 15 blocks, 13 aces and 118 digs in her first varsity season. She reached double-digit kills in four matches, tallying 15 apiece against Shelbyville (.429 hitting) and Lawrence Central.

Regan Ward, Pike, OH-MB

The 6-foot attacker put together a career year with the Red Devils, notching 229 kills on .251 hitting. She also collected 21 aces, 56 total blocks (19 solo), 98 digs and 14 assists. Ward had 10-plus kills in 10 matches, led by 13 on .500 hitting in a 2-1 loss to Rising Sun. She had a season-high five blocks against Seymour and logged four in three sets vs. Zionsville.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Brynn Baker, Fishers, MB; Izzy Bigelow, Speedway, S; Jordyn Blair, Westfield, MB; Anna Cope, Covenant Christian, DS; Addison Corn, Beech Grove, MB-DS; Emmi Custer, Pendleton Heights; Brooklyn Deppe, Danville, DS-OPP; Rachel Filimoeulie, Lawrence Central, OH-DS; Reagan Futa, Cathedral, DS; Amelia Hartman, Perry Meridian, RS; DeAsia John, Pike, OH-MB; Landry LePage, Lebanon, DS; Alexa Massingill, Western Boone, OPP-OH; Madelynn Matelic, Speedway, MH-fRS; Reese Morrow, Pendleton Heights; Sydney Reed, Pike, OH; Emily Shepherd, Western Boone, OH; Ava Stone, Roncalli, MB; Molly Tucker, Danville, OH

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.

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Indiana

Suspect in custody after Muncie triple shooting leaves 1 woman dead, 2 men injured

Published

11 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Suspect in custody after Muncie triple shooting leaves 1 woman dead, 2 men injured

MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — Police are investigating a triple shooting that took place on Muncie’s south side Sunday evening that left a woman dead and two men injured.

According to police, at approximately 5:27 p.m., Muncie Police Officers were dispatched to the 2700 block of South Walnut Street in reference to reports of several people being shot.

Officers arrived and located three gunshot victims: A 23-year-old female who died from “multiple wounds,” a 39-year-old male who is hospitalized in stable condition, and a 40-year-old male who was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition.

Police say a suspect is in custody, a 21-year-old man.

Police did not provide any additional information.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Muncie Police Detective Division at 765-747-4867 or dispatch at 765-747-4838.

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Indiana Pacers exec apologizes to fans after losing first-round pick

Published

23 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Indiana Pacers exec apologizes to fans after losing first-round pick

The Indiana Pacers lost 63 games this season for a chance at a franchise-changing lottery pick. On Sunday, May 10, they lost that chance, too.

All Pacers president Kevin Pritchard could do was apologize for taking the risk.

Indiana’s pick landed at No. 5 in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, one spot outside the top four protections attached to a midseason trade. The selection now belongs to the Los Angeles Clippers .

Shortly after the results were announced, Pritchard took social media and apologized.

“I’m really sorry to all our fans,” Pritchard wrote. “I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck.”

The Pacers entered the lottery with a 52.1% chance of securing a top-four pick after finishing 19-63, the second-worst record in the NBA. It wasn’t enough.

Indiana sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick to Los Angeles in the midseason deal for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown, along with the conditional 2026 first-rounder. The pick was theirs to keep only if it landed in the top four.

Zubac appeared in just five games for Indiana after the trade because of a fractured rib.

“This team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year,” Pritchard wrote. “We have always been resillient.”

Pritchard will have to be resilient if he looks at the replies to his statement. About half of the Pacers fans’ comments were not happy, and fans of other teams called him out for “tanking.”

There were also a large number of fans who were supportive of Pritchard taking that risk.

Tyrese Haliburton is expected to return next season after tearing his Achilles in last year’s NBA Finals. The Pacers will have him Pascal Siakam and a roster they think is built to compete. They just won’t have that first-round pick to add to it.

The 2026 NBA Draft begins June 23 in Brooklyn.

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Why Caitlin Clark went back to Indiana Fever locker room in season opener

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Why Caitlin Clark went back to Indiana Fever locker room in season opener

INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark has some new strategies to help keep her loose throughout games, and one garnered a lot of attention in the Indiana Fever’s season opener against the Dallas Wings.

Saturday was Clark’s first regular season WNBA game since July 2025, when she suffered a right groin injury against the Connecticut Sun. She was limited to just 13 games last season because of various injuries that compounded and lingered throughout the season, including to her left groin, right groin, left quad, and ankle.

Clark, who finished with 20 points, five rebounds and seven assists in 30 minutes, went back to the Fever’s tunnel twice throughout the 107-104 loss, and she said postgame it was just to get her back readjusted. It’s something new for the Fever star after she missed most of last season because of various injuries, but she didn’t report any major issues with her back.

“It gets out of line pretty quickly,” Clark said. “It’s just that, getting my back put back in place a little bit, but other than that, I feel great.”

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Clark also started wearing a heat therapy pad on her back as well when she’s on the bench, but that doesn’t automatically mean an injury, either. Former Fever player Natasha Howard wore one while sitting on the bench the entire 2025 season, and she did not miss a game.

These back issues, Fever coach Stephanie White said, shouldn’t keep her out of the game.

“We wouldn’t have played her 30 minutes if she wasn’t OK,” White said.

Clark’s response postgame came after ABC’s commentators reported in-game that trainers were working on Clark’s hip flexor and groin area — the same that kept her out of most of the 2025 season. When asked about ABC’s in-game report, White said: “That would be the first time I’ve heard that.”

Fever communications staff added that they did not provide an official update to ABC on why Clark left for the tunnel, so everything reported on the broadcast in-game was speculation.

“I think it’s just part of maintaining the body,” White added of the tunnel trips. “… I mean, look, when we’re all really young, we don’t learn proper mechanics, and then it doesn’t get exposed until something happens, and we’re trying to get her body mechanically the way it needs to go. This is gonna be an ongoing thing, and not just her. We’ve had multiple players who have gone back, and we don’t have a blue tent, right, but they’re gonna go back and get it adjusted and make sure that the body’s working.”

Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at chloe.peterson@indystar.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.

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