Editor's Note: The Ball State Daily News contacted Muncie Central for this article but did not receive a response.
The 2024 Delaware County volleyball season is just around the corner, and while last season had its headliners, 2024 has some hidden gems to offer as well. Head coaches around the county highlighted some athletes to watch out for throughout the campaign.
Yorktown
Head Coach: Stephanie Bloom
2023 Record: 27-6
Senior Shanese Williams - Middle Hitter
“She’s returning from a season-ending knee injury from last year,” Bloom said via email. “With being unable to play for nearly a year, she’s experienced some growing pains getting back into the swing of things. But as she’s become more confident, she’s looking more like the player she was before the injury. I believe she’ll continue to improve and be an integral part of our offense and what she can bring defensively at the net.”
Senior Ari Wright - Outside Hitter
“She is being asked to play a different role this year and we think her offense on the right side will disrupt defenses on the other side of the net,” Bloom said via email. “She is playing with more grit as a senior and will be a huge asset to the team.”
Delta
Head Coach: Kylie Johnson
2023 Record: 9-14
Senior Addie Phillips - Outside Hitter/Setter
“Addie has been a full-time varsity player for four years. She was All-County for the last two years. She committed to Polk State in Florida and will be our offensive leader.” Johnson said via email.
Senior Brylie Tuttle - Libero
“She’s our returning Libero who gets better and better every season. She is our defensive anchor and takes charge of the passer on serve receive,” Johnson said via email.
Wapahani
Head Coach: Valorie Wells
2023 Record: 19-9
Sophia Beeson - Six-Rotation Player
“Her ability to be quick and run plays with a fast arm is big for us,” Wells said via text message. “While also being a great defender / serve receiver. She can hit the ball hard and has great control with her platform in her serve receive. She is our power/grit player.”
Kami Rivers - Six-Rotation Player
“Her ability to hit different shots on the court and place the ball with power and control is a key player for us,” Wells said via text message. “She also has the ability to read the court as a defender and not let the ball drop. She is also one of the most consistent servers/aces on the team that we need. She is our IQ / grit player.”
Cowan
Head Coach: Amber Huber
2023 Record: 8-19
Sophomore Savannah Hall - Middle Hitter
“We are hoping to get her more involved in the offense this season,” Huber said via email. “She was an [Outside Hitter] last season, but she will be a [Middle Hitter] this season. Savannah is aggressive and a go-getter. Getting her involved in the offense is going to be important for us, but she is also one of our best defensive players and serve-receive passers.”
Junior Keira Drew - Outside Hitter
“She is going to see a lot more sets this year and is capable of hitting left, middle, or right side,” Huber said via email. “She has a lot of potential if she takes advantage of it. She will mostly play front row, but she has a great serve so she will see a little backcourt time as well.”
Daleville
Head Coach: Gayle Hicks
2023 Record: 20-10
Senior Trishell Johnson - Middle Hitter
“Trish could get the record of 1,000 kills for her career this year,” Hicks said via email. “She leads our team in kills and has great leadership on the court. She’s going to be one of our captains this season. Coming off a year where she earned all-conference and all-county honors, she’ll play a big role for us this season.”
Senior Cassidy Rees - Setter
“Cassidy could set another career record this season as well. She’s getting close to 1,000 sets on her career.” Hicks said via email. “She is just another great leader for us on the court. Her mission is to have her best year yet being a senior this year.”
Wes-Del
Head Coach: Jon Vernon
2023 Record: 25-7
Senior Amelia Hudson-Roberts - Outside Hitter, Middle Hitter
“She is the only returning Starter from the 27-5 team of 2023, played on Munciana Aztecs this Club Season for Pancho Alavarez, and is a tall, strong, and athletic player who will be the leader of our team this year,” Vernon said via email.
Junior Taylor Freeman - Setter
“She will be the ball-handling leader on our team for 2024. Taylor has a great work ethic every day in practice and pushes herself and others to get better. She’s just a natural leader.” Vernon said via email.
Muncie Burris
Head Coach: Jim Craig
2023 Record: 31-4 and 2A state champions
Senior Lilly Howell - Middle Blocker
“Lilly is looking forward to her senior season,” Craig said via email. “She has played in every varsity match since her freshman year and brings significant experience to the court. She has terrific skills, but her real strength is her resilience and leadership she commands each day.”
Junior Mya Trammell - Outside Hitter
“Though recovering from an ACL injury, Mya has made remarkable progress likely due in part to her considerable drive to be ready for her junior year,” Craig said via email. “She was stellar in the state championship match in November and hopes to continue her impressive play this season. Her work ethic and leadership skills have helped guide our preparation.”
Contact David Moore with comments at david.moore@bsu.edu or on X @gingninj63
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