68 Lafayette-area players to watch in 2024

LAFAYETTE – High school girls volleyball is back in full swing throughout the Lafayette area, and with it comes a ton of local talent ready to lead their programs to victories and championships.

Two players have committed to Division I schools and more are expected to announce their college commitments throughout the season.

Harrison won the 4A section in Logansport, while Benton Central won the 3A section in Frankfort and advanced to the regional finals in Norwell last season. Meanwhile, Central Catholic won the 2A section in Covington and Faith Christian won the 1A section in Rossville en route to the regional finals in Southwood in 2023.

Here is a list of 68 players named to the Journal & Courier’s volleyball watch list and the preseason Big School and Small All-Area teams.

More: 3 things we learned from watching Benton Central and Harrison girls play volleyball

Journal & Courier All-Area Big Schools Preseason Team

Cali Foster, Benton Central

The junior outside hitter and defensive specialist is a step faster and a whole lot more powerful after a successful summer with the Boiler Juniors club team. Foster chose Western Kentucky after earning 2023 Journal & Courier All-Area honors while recording 372 kills with a .390 hitting percentage, 48.7 kill percentage and 285 digs. Foster powered her team on offense and receiving, defeating Harrison in four sets on Tuesday.

Della Bossung, Harrison

Bossung is the returning kills leader for the Raiders, who had an impressive run in 2023. She had 219 kills, along with 21 aces, 26 blocks and 89 digs, ending the Raiders’ nine-season drought without a sectional title.

Audrey Alexander, West Lafayette

Alexander returns as part of a veteran hitting unit for the Red Devils. The sophomore was strong in many ways, posting the team’s most kills in 2023 with 313 kills and a .319 hitting percentage, along with 33 blocks, 160 digs and 13 aces.

Reanna Lee, McCutcheon

Lee is the Mavericks’ best outside attacker, recording 241 kills and 76 blocks with a .376 hitting percentage in 2023.

Taylor Woods, West Lafayette

Woods has recovered from a knee injury she suffered in 2022 and now joins a program looking to outperform its 3A rivals from Benton Central. Woods posted 273 kills with a nearly .300 hitting percentage and made quality shot catches with 231 digs and 21 blocks.

Jillian Deno, Harrison

Deno is a reliable veteran setter who collected 636 assists as a sophomore. During a tournament in Crown Point last Saturday, Deno surpassed the 1,000-career assist mark.

Lexi Shondell, McCutcheon

There is no stronger Purdue queen than Shondell, the junior setter and niece of Boilermakers head coach Dave Shondell. Lexi held her own and led an offense that had 1,240 kills in 2023. Shondell finished the season with 753 assists and 176 digs.

Bella Widmer, Benton Central

Returning with the Bison background is veteran defensive specialist and libero Widmer. Widmer led her team as a sophomore with 361 digs and 40 aces.

Addi Gehres, West Lafayette

Young West Lafayette setter Gehres was a fundamental building block for the team’s success in 2023. The Red Devils finished the season 23-8, with Gehres providing 645 assists and 143 digs last season.

Riley Hoaks, Benton Central

Hoaks keeps the Bison playing in transition with her soft hands and leadership. Hoaks recorded 610 assists, 150 digs and 54 aces in 2023.

Julia Vallier, Lafayette Jeff

Vallier, the Bronchos’ captain, led her team with 167 kills and 250 digs in 2023. Vallier is looking to once again lead Lafayette Jeff, which hasn’t won a sectional title since 2004.

Clare Peacock, Crawfordsville

Peacock had an impressive season as a freshman setter, recording 312 assists with 40 aces for the Athenians, who finished 10-21.

Journal & Courier All-Area Small Schools Preseason Team

Taylor Cripe, South Newton

Cripe has been one of the best athletes in the Lafayette area over the past four seasons. Cripe had a .388 hitting percentage with 360 kills, which is a 3.9 per set average in 2023. Cripe has over 1,000 kills in her career and made 183 digs and 17 blocks last season. Cripe has served up over 200 aces in her career and is committed to Western Michigan.

Kaitlyn Kuckkan, Central Catholic

The returning senior led Central Catholic to another 2A sectional title, posting 816 assists, 66 kills and 41 aces to go along with 51 blocks and 265 digs in 2023.

Sara Zarse, Tri-County

Zarse led Tri-County to its first sectional championship in 37 years. Tri-County, led by Zarse, finished the season 25-4 and she recorded 456 kills, 66 aces, 45 blocks and 266 digs.

Abbey Swan, Clinton Prairie

Swan was a force for the Gophers, finishing 2023 with 372 kills, 292 digs and 27 blocks.

Chase Lemming, Seeger

Lemming hits hard and accurately for the Patriots. Lemming had a hit rate of .432 with 443 kills, 362 digs and 16 blocks.

Olivia Barber, Faith Christian

Barber returns after a standout sophomore year as a setter, posting 784 assists and 15 blocks and adding 33 kills and 85 digs for the Eagles, who repeated as sectional champions.

Rylee Simko, Fountain Central

Simko is a returning libero for Fountain Central who made 300 digs in 2023. Simko owns 650 career digs.

Carley Barrett, Central Catholic

Barrett is a dual-sport athlete whose skills as a small forward match her abilities as a left-handed outside hitter. The senior led the Knights in 2023 with 319 kills and a .227 hitting percentage on 144 digs.

Hannah Arvin, Tri-County

Arvin played a key offensive role for Tri-County and paired with Zarse to form one of the best small-school hitting duos in the region. Arvin hit 329 kills with a .357 hitting percentage and 207 digs in 2023.

Anna Riley, Faith Christian

Riley provided offensive depth to Faith Christian in 2023. Riley recorded 151 kills with a .317 hitting percentage and 38 blocks (the highest on the team).

Grace Bordenet, Central Catholic Church

A tough senior defensive specialist, Bordenet played in the back row for the Knights. Bordenet finished 2023 with 247 digs and 51 aces.

Addi Gorbett, Rossville

Gorbett led Rossville to a 15-19 record and an appearance in the semifinals of the Covington 1A Sectional in 2023. Gorbett recorded 220 kills, 231 digs and 31 aces.

Journal & Courier 2024 IHSAA Volleyball Preseason Watchlist

McKenna Yadon – Benton Central – Outside hitter – Sophomore – 57 kills, .312 hitting percentage in 2023.
Maya Layton – Lafayette Jeff – Outside Hitter – Junior – 226 kills, 192 digs in 2023 for Faith Christian.
Mackenzie Taylor – McCutcheon – Defensive Specialist – Junior – 128 digs, 35 aces and two kills in 2023.
Jianna Walker – Lafayette Jeff – Setter – Senior – 460 assists in 2023.
Sophia Andrew – West Lafayette – Outside Attacker – Sophomore – 79 kills in 2023.
Rylea Wetz – McCutcheon – Middle Blocker – Senior – 178 kills, .253 hitting percentage, 85 blocks, 335 digs in 2023 at Seeger.
Kamri Rowland – Rensselaer Central – Outside Attacker – Junior – 188 kills in 2023.
Jorja Timm – Twin Lakes – Outside Attacker – Sophomore – 52 Kills, 11 Digs
Alivia Cain – Rensselaer Central – Outside Attacker – Sophomore – 87 kills in 2023.
Eva Stokes – Harrison – Outside Attacker – Sophomore – Freshman on the varsity team.
Emily Louck – Rensselaer Central – Libero – Junior – 334 digs in 2023.
Grace Klemme – Harrison – Defensive Specialist – Senior – 280 digs, 441 receiving serves and 113 assists in 2023.
Brooklyn Bilyeu – Rensselaer Central – Setter – Senior – 588 assists in 2023.
Lyzzy Bahler – Tri-County – Setter – Senior – 155 assists in 2023.
Jalen Smith – Frankfort – Setter – Sophomore – 573 assists and 109 kills in 2023.
Lydia Redlin – Twin Lakes – Outside Attacker – Senior – 146 kills, 27 blocks and 213 digs in 2023.
Lily Rockhold – Frankfort – Sophomore – Outside Attacker – 214 kills, 63 digs in 2023.
Katya Hupy – Harrison – Outside Attacker – Junior – Freshman on the varsity team.
Caroline Queen – Frankfort – Sophomore – Libero – 361 digs in 2023.
Reese Price – Crawfordsville – Outside hitter – Sophomore – 140 kills, 20 aces in 2023.
Morgan Harrington – Frankfort – Defensive Specialist – Senior – 217 digs in 2023.
Grace Luck – Tri-County – Libero – Junior – 209 digs in 2023.
Rilee Clifton – Lafayette Jeff – Defensive Specialist – Sophomore – 519 digs, 293 receiving yards in 2023.
Brooklyn Perry – Faith Christian – middle blocker – junior – four kills, missed 2023 games due to injury.
Cara Turner – Twin Lakes – Setter – Sophomore – 117 kills, 87 assists in 2023.
Rhyon Deno – Benton Central – Middle Blocker – Sophomore – Freshman on the varsity team.
Teagan Coveris – Carroll – Setter – Senior – 171 kills, 175 digs and 45 aces in 2023.
Izzy Adams – Benton Central – Setter and Defensive Specialist – Junior – 472 assists, 83 digs in 2023.
Addie Bowsman – Twin Lakes – Defensive Specialist – Senior – Star basketball player joins volleyball program.
Maezi Snyder – McCutcheon – Outside Hitter – Junior – 25 kills, .269 batting average in 2023.
Kia Stillings – Faith Christian – Junior Libero – 262 digs in 2023.
Emma Buser – Crawfordsville – Libero and defensive specialist – 137 digs in 2023.
Elaina Gorringe – Lafayette Jeff – Middle Blocker – Senior – 78 kills and 37 blocks in 2023.
Ashlyn Alexander – Covington – Outside Hitter – Junior – 129 kills, 36 aces, 310 digs in 2023.
Molly Miller – Faith Christian – Outside Hitter – Senior – 125 kills, .330 hitting percentage, 34 blocks in 2023.
Autumn Reif – North White – Outside Attacker – Junior – 90 kills, 48 digs, 73 blocks in 2023.
Brooke Rottman – Covington – Middle Blocker – Sophomore – 128 kills, 283 digs, 32 blocks, 71 aces in 2023.
Sydney Rainsford – North Newton – Outside Forward – Senior – Returning Captain.
Eliza Wilderman – Covington – Outside Attacker – Freshman – New to the varsity team.
Olivia Dahlenburg – North White – Middle Blocker – Sophomore – Early 2024 Kills Leader.
Alex Sutherlin – Covington – Outside Hitter – Senior – 242 kills, 279 digs in 2023.
Sydney Mellon – West Central – Defensive Specialist – Junior – 163 digs in 2023.
Carly Davison – Clinton Central – Outside Attacker – Junior – 122 kills in 2023.
Hyleigh Wilson – Clinton Prairie – Defensive Specialist – Senior – 355 digs in 2023.