With nine seniors, this year’s edition of the Noblesville volleyball team is definitely “veteran heavy,” said Millers coach Steve Hawthorne.
In addition to all the upperclassmen – four of whom will be playing Division I at the collegiate level – there are several great younger players who will be contributing.
“The Millers have set high goals for this season and hope to build on their success from the last few years,” said Hawthorne.
Noblesville returns its three kill leaders. Sophomore Lexie Almodovar had 227 kills last season, followed by two seniors: Alexa Roberts put down 208 kills, with Lexie Bowler making 189. Another senior, Emily Kiser, hit 132; Kiser made news over the summer by committing to the University of Michigan for basketball.
Senior Maddie Hine brings back the most aces for the Millers, serving 35 last season. Hine, in fact, is one five seniors returning to compiled at least 20 service aces for Noblesville last year. Hine also handed out 371 assists.
On the defensive side, Bowler was the leading blocker from last year with 66 stops, followed by Kiser with 48. Junior Claire Foster made 34 blocks. Senior Brenna Everingham made 400 digs last year, with another senior, Stephanie Meysembourg, getting 239.
The Millers open their season Tuesday by hosting North Central at The Mill.
ROSTER
Seniors: Lexie Bowler, Abbey Brown, Brenna Everingham, Grace Harris, Maddie Hine, Olivia Kile, Emily Kiser, Stephanie Meysembourg, Alexa Roberts.
Juniors: Claire Foster, Kayla Thompson.
Sophomore: Lexie Almodovar.
Freshmen: Rose Crist, Ava Nichols.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 15: North Central, 7 p.m.
Aug. 17: Bishop Chatard, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 22: at Pendleton Heights, 7 p.m.
Aug. 23: at Perry Meridian, 7 p.m.
Aug. 24: Avon, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26: New Castle, 11:30 a.m.
Aug. 29: at Lafayette Central Catholic, 7 p.m.
Aug. 31: at Fishers, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 2: Muncie Burris Shondell Invitational, 9 a.m.
Sept. 5: McCutcheon, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 7: Westfield, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 9: Noblesville Invitational, 9 a.m.
Sept. 11: Yorktown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12: at Hamilton Heights, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14: at Zionsville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20: Carmel, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28: Hamilton Southeastern, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 30: at North/South Invitational, 10 a.m.
Oct. 2: New Palestine, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3: at Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5: at Brownsburg, 7 p.m.
Oct. 7: at Carmel Invitational, 9 a.m.