We wrap up the Central Indiana girls volleyball position previews with a look at some of the area’s top back-line players.
Indiana high school volleyball preview: Everything you need to know for 2024 season
Claudia Antcliff, Zionsville
The senior anchored the Eagles’ defense, recording 498 digs and 23 aces over 100 sets played to help Zionsville to a 26-7 finish. Antcliff has 646 career digs over 195 sets entering her final season.
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Brittain Bills, Avon
Now entering her third varsity season, Bills continued her steady defense for the Orioles, recording 392 digs across 104 sets. She also contributed 70 assists, 66 aces and three kills, and is nearing the 1,000-dig mark for her career (738).
Kennedy Cherry, Hamilton Heights
One of the area’s top 2025s, the Western Kentucky-bound Cherry enters her senior year leading an experienced and talented Huskies outfit. She recorded 485 digs, 72 assists and 39 aces to help the team to a regional runner-up finish last season, and has 1,326 career digs.
Kaylyn Christy, Hamilton Southeastern
Christy overcame an offseason knee injury to make it back in time for her junior season, recording 167 digs, 12 assists and 29 aces over 97 sets. She was a defensive specialist with Sophie Ledbetter, now a freshman at Ball State, playing libero last season, and was charged with only 18 errors on 172 receptions.
Bella Dafforn, Hamilton Southeastern
The Royals are known for their prolific offense, but they have one of the best defensive pairings in the state with Christy and Dafforn, who was terrific for Lawrence North last season, recording 463 digs and 57 aces over 98 sets. She also notched 52 assists, and four kills.
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Kendall Eden, Indian Creek
A Ball State commit, Eden averaged 5.8 receptions per set (442 total) as a junior last season, notching 307 digs and 49 assists. She also tallied 55 aces. IU basketball commit Faith Wiseman and Grayson Burkett leave sizable holes, but Indian Creek still returns the majority of its lineup.
Alana Eastridge, Eastern Hancock
The junior continued her steady improvement last season, recording 421 receptions (30 errors) and 372 digs over 86 sets for the 20-win Royals. She also served 28 aces (133 points) and recorded 37 assists. Scecina will once again be a difficult out in sectional, but EH returns most of its key contributors.
Cathryn Erwin, Lutheran
The Saints graduated six seniors, but Erwin’s return gives them a solid cornerstone to rely upon while the newer players settle in. The 5-3 senior eclipsed 1,000 career digs last season, registering a career-best 505 over 97 sets. She also notched 40 aces and 40 assists.
Azure Flagle, New Palestine
The Dragons reeled off 26 wins last season and among the most notable returners is its starting libero. Flagle registered 499 digs over 96 sets (5.2 per set), plus 52 aces and 69 assists. She was charged with only 28 errors on 394 receptions. The backline stability will help while NP finds its way on the attack (graduated three of five kills leaders).
Lexi Gin, Brebeuf Jesuit
Lola Schumacher’s shift to outside hitter last season moved Gin into the starting libero role a year earlier than most likely expected and she flourished, racking up 511 digs, 41 assists, 37 aces and four kills over 76 sets. The senior Penn State commit has 1,058 career digs. Brebeuf returns to Class 3A this season.
Tatum Harper, Lapel
A two-sport standout, Harper was very good on the back line for Lapel, notching 58 aces and 185 service points across 95 sets. She also logged 369 digs, 60 assists and had only 37 errors on 494 receptions.
Eva Hurrle, Roncalli
The DePaul commit registered 172 digs, 34 aces, 22 assists and was charged with 13 errors on 184 receptions as a junior. Hurrle is coming off a strong summer, having played high-level club volleyball with a number of other area standouts, including Roncalli teammate Logan Bell.
Lillyanna Joseph, Franklin Central
The Flashes senior stepped into an expanded role last season, recording career-highs in receptions (422), digs (224), aces (45) and assists (21). She and senior outside hitter Abby Kaminski are FC’s top two returners this season.
Isabelle Martinelle, Scecina
The 5-4 senior notched 515 digs (4.6 per set) and 32 assists for the Crusaders. She also picked up her first career kill and served 12 aces. Martinelle has 559 career digs.
Kate Pinnick, Franklin
Ranked top-30 for her position by Prep Dig Indiana , Pinnick tallied 484 digs, 37 aces and 71 assists over 98 sets for the Grizzly Cubs.
Reagan Turk, Roncalli
The 5-6 West Virginia-bound junior was solid alongside Aly Kirkhoff on the Royals back line, picking up 200 digs with only 13 reception errors on 271 receptions. She also picked up 24 assists and served up 27 aces.
Kate Vrabel, Brownsburg
Vrabel is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign wherein she registered 470 digs, 73 assists and 34 aces. The 5-9 junior also scored five kills on six attempts.
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen .
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA volleyball: Central Indiana's top liberos, defensive specialists to watch in 2024
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