Duneland Athletic Conference rivals Crown Point and Chesterton will rely on the experience of veteran players who met in a regional final last year.
Top 10 teams
1. Crown Point (31-4): The defending Duneland Athletic Conference champion Bulldogs have plenty of pieces to replace after their run to a Class 4A semistate final last year. Alex Equihua, a former player, succeeds coach Alison Duncan, who moved into an administrative role. Senior middle blocker Kayliyah Deshields, who had 107 blocks; senior setter Cailin Duncan, who had 562 assists; senior middle blocker Ivy Henderson, who had 87 blocks; and junior libero Hayden Klimowicz provide a strong foundation.
2. Chesterton (30-4): After losing to Crown Point in five sets in a regional final, the Trojans are chasing payback. Senior outside hitter Luca Bombacino, a Michigan recruit who had 452 kills, is the DAC’s top player. Senior middle blocker Madison Gilliam, a Butler recruit who had 103 blocks, isn’t far behind.
3. Lake Central (19-11): Don’t count out the Indians in the DAC. Senior outside hitter Kailey Skurka, who had 311 kills, returns as the focal point for a deep team built to disrupt the conference hierarchy. Senior outside hitter Arielle Carter-Reed and junior outside hitter Alina Williams also are back.
4. Hanover Central (25-5): The Wildcats are the favorites in the Northwest Crossroads Conference with a strong core that won a Class 3A sectional title last year. Junior libero Liliana Chorba, who had 410 digs, and senior outside hitter Nora Edgerton, who had 386 kills, are among the area’s top players.
5. Illiana Christian (27-7): The Vikings, who also have revenge on their minds after their five-set loss to Hanover Central in a sectional final, make their debut in the NCC with high expectations. Junior middle blocker Karaline Kuiper, who had 82 blocks, could make a major leap.
6. LaPorte (17-16): The Slicers are in the midst of a youth movement in the highly competitive DAC. They’re led by sophomore setter Evelyn Shirk, who had 488 assists, and sophomore middle blocker Lauren Kirk, who had 145 blocks — the top two college prospects in Indiana’s 2029 class.
7. Valparaiso (17-15): The Vikings are led by senior defensive specialist Lily Simpson, whose 469 digs were the most of any returning player in the DAC. Junior setter Nicole Bontrager, who had 326 assists, and junior middle hitter Layla Yates, who had 61 blocks, round out a dependable trio.
8. Marquette Catholic (24-10): The Blazers, who won a Class 1A sectional title last year, should be even better this season. Their top two players return: senior outside hitter Mackenzie Snyder, who had 294 kills, and sophomore libero Olivia Zmuda, who had 682 digs. The sky is the limit for Zmuda, who made the all-state second team as a freshman.
9. Boone Grove (20-10): The Wolves are perennial favorites in the Porter County Conference. Top returnees are junior right-side hitter Brooklyn Gluth, who had 235 kills; senior libero Lauren Voudrie, who had 654 digs; and junior setter Mya Wargo, who had 898 assists.
10. Andrean (16-16): The 59ers will try to take a step forward after falling to Boone Grove in a sectional final last year. Sophomore outside hitter Aleece Ehler, who had 196 kills and 298 digs, leads the way.
25 players to watch
• Bella Birky, Kouts, senior, libero
• Luca Bombacino, Chesterton, senior, outside hitter
• Liliana Chorba, Hanover Central, junior, libero
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• Kayliyah DeShields, Crown Point, senior, middle blocker
• Avery Diener, Kankakee Valley, junior, outside hitter
• Cailin Duncan, Crown Point, senior, setter
• Nora Edgerton, Hanover Central, senior, outside hitter
• Aleece Ehler, Andrean, sophomore, outside hitter
• Madison Gilliam, Chesterton, senior, middle blocker
• Brooklyn Gluth, Boone Grove, junior, right-side hitter
• Ivy Henderson, Crown Point, senior, middle blocker
• Alissa Hope, Hobart, senior, middle hitter
• Lauren Kirk, LaPorte, sophomore, middle blocker
• Karaline Kuiper, Illiana Christian, junior, middle blocker
• Ellie Nemeth, Kouts, senior, middle hitter
• Sierra Ricke, Morgan Township, senior, setter
• Izabela Schumacher, Wheeler, senior, outside hitter
• Evelyn Shirk, LaPorte, sophomore, setter
• Lily Simpson, Valparaiso, senior, defensive specialist
• Elizabeth Skubisz, Bishop Noll, junior, outside hitter
• Kailey Skurka, Lake Central, senior, outside hitter
More Top Picks Dji Mavic Pro
• Mackenzie Snyder, Marquette Catholic, senior, outside hitter
• Lauren Voudrie, Boone Grove, senior, libero
• Mya Wargo, Boone Grove, junior, setter
• Olivia Zmuda, Marquette Catholic, sophomore, libero
Noah Poser is a freelance reporter.