By Greg
Seiter
Contributing
Writer
Writer
Brownstown has made more state runner-up volleyball appearances (five)
than any other Indiana
school. In fact, the Braves have come within one match of winning their first
state volleyball title three times in the last four years.
than any other Indiana
school. In fact, the Braves have come within one match of winning their first
state volleyball title three times in the last four years.
While itâ??s yet to be determined if the 2006 Brownstown team can surpass
the achievements of last yearâ??s squad in the state tournament, itâ??s highly
unlikely that any other Mid-Southern Conference team will seriously challenge
for the league crown. Charlestown, North
Harrison, Corydon, Eastern (Pekin),
and Scottsburg could all potentially battle for second place, however.
the achievements of last yearâ??s squad in the state tournament, itâ??s highly
unlikely that any other Mid-Southern Conference team will seriously challenge
for the league crown. Charlestown, North
Harrison, Corydon, Eastern (Pekin),
and Scottsburg could all potentially battle for second place, however.
Top team
Brownstown: The
Braves posted a 27-8 regular-season record before dropping the Class 2A state
title match to Muncie Burris last
season. Brownstown, a five-time 2A runner-up, is traditionally the team to beat
in the Mid-Southern Conference, and this year should be no exception. Four of
the teamâ??s seven returning varsity players were starters in 2005, including a
freshman outside hitter, a sophomore middle hitter, and a sophomore outside
hitter. Expect the Braves to feature an extremely strong front line this season
anchored by junior middle hitter Buff Crawford. Additional leadership will come
from setter Kinzey Soladine.
Braves posted a 27-8 regular-season record before dropping the Class 2A state
title match to Muncie Burris last
season. Brownstown, a five-time 2A runner-up, is traditionally the team to beat
in the Mid-Southern Conference, and this year should be no exception. Four of
the teamâ??s seven returning varsity players were starters in 2005, including a
freshman outside hitter, a sophomore middle hitter, and a sophomore outside
hitter. Expect the Braves to feature an extremely strong front line this season
anchored by junior middle hitter Buff Crawford. Additional leadership will come
from setter Kinzey Soladine.
Sleepers
Charlestown: The Pirates return all but one
player from last seasonâ??s 20-13 squad that tied for fourth place in the conference.
The team will need strong contributions from senior outside hitter Jennifer Carlisle, junior outside hitter Katie
Jackson, and senior setter Lindsey Davis to hold off other upper-tier
challengers, however.
player from last seasonâ??s 20-13 squad that tied for fourth place in the conference.
The team will need strong contributions from senior outside hitter Jennifer Carlisle, junior outside hitter Katie
Jackson, and senior setter Lindsey Davis to hold off other upper-tier
challengers, however.
North
Harrison: This could be the best team Wes Briscoe has
coached at North Harrison. The Lady Cats were a
solid 19-13 in 2005 after suffering a first-round sectional loss to conference
foe Silver Creek, and the team returns all but three graduated seniors from one
year ago. North Harrison lacks size, which could create blocking problems, but
seniors Kim Doty (setter), Liz Casabella (outside hitter), Rachael Adams
(outside hitter), and Sam Hoen (libero) should combine to make North Harrison one
of the leagueâ??s strongest teams.
Harrison: This could be the best team Wes Briscoe has
coached at North Harrison. The Lady Cats were a
solid 19-13 in 2005 after suffering a first-round sectional loss to conference
foe Silver Creek, and the team returns all but three graduated seniors from one
year ago. North Harrison lacks size, which could create blocking problems, but
seniors Kim Doty (setter), Liz Casabella (outside hitter), Rachael Adams
(outside hitter), and Sam Hoen (libero) should combine to make North Harrison one
of the leagueâ??s strongest teams.
Corydon:
With four returning seniors, including outside hitter Bethany Shewmaker
and setter Kim Barth, the Panthers have the potential to improve on last yearâ??s
19-15 mark.
With four returning seniors, including outside hitter Bethany Shewmaker
and setter Kim Barth, the Panthers have the potential to improve on last yearâ??s
19-15 mark.
Eastern
(Pekin): The Musketeers have already suffered an early setback for 2006 with the
loss of returning starter Emily Bonnet, who suffered a torn ACL on the second
day of summer conditioning. But Eastern should still be very competitive thanks
to a lineup that will feature five girls who stand 6 feet or taller, including 6â??2â?
sophomore outside hitter Debra Atkins. In addition, junior outside hitters
Laura Purlee and Jessica Jackson, along with returning setter Erin Newcomb,
should help the Musketeers move up in the conference standings.
(Pekin): The Musketeers have already suffered an early setback for 2006 with the
loss of returning starter Emily Bonnet, who suffered a torn ACL on the second
day of summer conditioning. But Eastern should still be very competitive thanks
to a lineup that will feature five girls who stand 6 feet or taller, including 6â??2â?
sophomore outside hitter Debra Atkins. In addition, junior outside hitters
Laura Purlee and Jessica Jackson, along with returning setter Erin Newcomb,
should help the Musketeers move up in the conference standings.
Scottsburg: All but
three players are expected to return for the Warriorettes this season.
Scottsburg will field a heavily senior-dominated squad.
three players are expected to return for the Warriorettes this season.
Scottsburg will field a heavily senior-dominated squad.
Silver
Creek: The Dragons from Sellersburg seem to consistently field a competitive
team, but 2006 may be a bit more challenging as Silver Creek graduated most of
its offense from last season.
Creek: The Dragons from Sellersburg seem to consistently field a competitive
team, but 2006 may be a bit more challenging as Silver Creek graduated most of
its offense from last season.
Likely
to struggle
to struggle
Clarksville: With only nine players on the
squad at the conclusion of last season, the Generals were, in many ways, their
own worst enemy. The same should not hold true in 2006. Look for a solid group
of returning role players, along with leadership from senior hitters Alex Stainhour
and Megan Tudor and senior setter Sheegan Gividend, to pave the way for
improvement. Junior hitter Whitney Piatt will definitely be a player to watch.
squad at the conclusion of last season, the Generals were, in many ways, their
own worst enemy. The same should not hold true in 2006. Look for a solid group
of returning role players, along with leadership from senior hitters Alex Stainhour
and Megan Tudor and senior setter Sheegan Gividend, to pave the way for
improvement. Junior hitter Whitney Piatt will definitely be a player to watch.
Austin: The Eagles surprised a couple
of conference opponents last year, and they only graduated one senior from the
schoolâ??s 2005 team.
of conference opponents last year, and they only graduated one senior from the
schoolâ??s 2005 team.
Salem: The Lions continue to search
for ways to be more competitive in the Mid-Southern.
for ways to be more competitive in the Mid-Southern.
Changes
in the landscape
in the landscape
Scott Bostock returns for his 10th season as head coach at Clarksville
following a two-year absence, while Jacob Johanningsmeier takes over at Eastern (Pekin).
following a two-year absence, while Jacob Johanningsmeier takes over at Eastern (Pekin).
Players
to watch
to watch
Outside hitter Jennifer
Carlisle, Charlestown
Carlisle, Charlestown
Outside hitter Katie Jackson, Charlestown
Outside hitter
Laura Purlee, Eastern (Pekin)
Laura Purlee, Eastern (Pekin)
Outside hitter
Jessica Jackson, Eastern (Pekin)
Jessica Jackson, Eastern (Pekin)
Middle hitter Buff Crawford, Brownstown
Middle hitter Wynn Shroyer, North Harrison
Middle hitter Molly Eckart, Silver Creek
Hitter Alex Stainhour, Clarksville
Hitter Whitney Piatt, Clarksville
Setter Kinzey Soladine, Brownstown
Mid-Southern
big tournaments
big tournaments
Aug. 26: Columbus East Tournament, Charlestown Invitational
Sept. 9:
Corydon Invitational, Bedford North
Lawrence Tournament
Corydon Invitational, Bedford North
Lawrence Tournament
Sept. 16: North Harrison Invitational
Oct. 7: Indianapolis Chatard
Tournament
Tournament
Conference
overview
overview
â??Many of the teams in this league will be rebuilding this year. I think
our conference is going to be pretty balanced, and there are several teams that
could step up and take charge.â? â??? Corydon coach Kim Briscoe
our conference is going to be pretty balanced, and there are several teams that
could step up and take charge.â? â??? Corydon coach Kim Briscoe
â??The conference is probably going to be more well rounded this year than
it has been since Iâ??ve coached at Clarksville. Brownstown is
usually head and shoulders above everybody else, but the rest of the conference
should be pretty competitive.â? â??? Clarksville
coach Scott Bostock
it has been since Iâ??ve coached at Clarksville. Brownstown is
usually head and shoulders above everybody else, but the rest of the conference
should be pretty competitive.â? â??? Clarksville
coach Scott Bostock
â??There have been a lot of players from our conference that have gone on
to play college ball. That says a lot about the quality of play in this
conference.â? â???
Brownstown coach Jennifer Shade
to play college ball. That says a lot about the quality of play in this
conference.â? â???
Brownstown coach Jennifer Shade
â??This is a tough conference to be in because it always includes some of
the best teams in the area. With the exception of Brownstown, everybody is
pretty much on the same level of play. We always have problems with Brownstown;
everybody does. But thereâ??s still no reason why we canâ??t finish in the top
three or four this season.â? â??? Charlestown
coach Trisha Williams
the best teams in the area. With the exception of Brownstown, everybody is
pretty much on the same level of play. We always have problems with Brownstown;
everybody does. But thereâ??s still no reason why we canâ??t finish in the top
three or four this season.â? â??? Charlestown
coach Trisha Williams
â??There are
probably five teams that are going to be battling for conference positioning
below Brownstown this year.â? â??? North Harrison coach Wes Briscoe
probably five teams that are going to be battling for conference positioning
below Brownstown this year.â? â??? North Harrison coach Wes Briscoe
â??Defensively,
I know weâ??re going to be one of the best in the conference. Offensively, I know
weâ??re going to get there.â? Eastern (Pekin)
coach Jacob Johanningsmeier
I know weâ??re going to be one of the best in the conference. Offensively, I know
weâ??re going to get there.â? Eastern (Pekin)
coach Jacob Johanningsmeier
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