By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
After a successful season last year, the Noblesville boys volleyball team is trying to find the chemistry to make this year just as good.
The Millers returned to action Saturday by hosting their own Miller Classic tournament. Noblesville finished second in the event and currently holds an 8-4 record for the season.
The Millers sped through their pool without the loss of a set, beating Lafayette Jefferson 25-23, 25-13, Lawrence North 25-10, 25-8 and Avon 25-10, 25-14. In the championship match, Noblesville lost to Brownsburg 25-15, 25-17; the Bulldogs avenged a loss to the Millers at the start of the season.
“We’re doing decent,” said Noblesville coach Ryan Pence after the Lawrence North match. “I think we’re playing in spurts and we just haven’t found out our chemistry yet.”
Pence called his team “a work in progress,” since it graduated five seniors last year. He did note that his team is picking up steam as the season goes on.
“It’s hard to find your identity when you lose key players like you did last year and having somebody step in those roles,” said Pence. “But I think the boys are handling it pretty well, so hopefully by mid-season we’ll make a nice run. I don’t want them to peak too early, so that way they’re peaking right around state.”
This year’s senior class is stepping up as well. Andrew Libby and Aaron Brewer both have emerged as solid hitters for the Millers, with Libby a leading blocker as well. Brady Nicholson and Cameron Schlegel are among the top defensive players, with Schlegel the assist man for Noblesville.
Pence said his team’s camaraderie is one of its strengths.
“They’re all friends in school and they hang out a lot, and they’re doing a lot of team bonding when we don’t have practice,” said Pence. “So I think that’s a strength that we have. And a lot of them are returning from last year and some of them play in the off-season. But like I said, right now it’s just kind of hit and miss for us. We’re just trying to build and find our own identity from the team last year.”
Noblesville’s next match is Tuesday at Carmel. That will be a re-match of last year’s state championship match, which the Greyhounds won. The Millers will then host Brownsburg on Thursday, marking the third time they will play the Bulldogs this season.
After the regular season finishes, teams will play in the Indiana Boys Volleyball Coaches Association tournament. The tournament begins with the regional on May 12, followed by the state meet, which takes place May 18 and 19 at Southport.
NOBLESVILLE ROSTER
Seniors: Aaron Brewer, Kameron Courtney, Andrew Libby, Brady Nicholson, Luke Reks, Garrett Russell, Cameron Schlegel, Camden Shaw.
Juniors: Jacob Balazentis, Jackson Bond, Nick Robbins.
Sophomores: Landon Barrow, Gehrig Mickels.
NOBLESVILLE SCHEDULE
April 10: at Carmel, 6 p.m.
April 12: Brownsburg, 6 p.m.
April 18: Franklin Community, 6 p.m.
April 19: at Bishop Chatard, 6 p.m.
April 23: at Southport, 6 p.m.
April 24: Hamilton Southeastern, 6 p.m.
April 26: at Fishers, 6:30 p.m.
April28: Noblesville Tournament, 8 a.m. at Noblesville East Middle School
April 30: Guerin Catholic, 6 p.m.
May 1: METRO Tournament Round One, 5:30 p.m. (place TBA)
May 3: METRO Tournament semi-finals and finals, 5:30 p.m. at Cathedral
May 5: Hamilton Southeastern Pre-State Tournament, 1 p.m.
May 8: Fishers (junior varsity), 6 p.m.
May 8: Herron, 7 p.m.
May 9: Lafayette Jefferson, 6 p.m.
May 10: Ben Davis, 6 p.m. at Avon
Noblesville’s Aaron Brewer hits a serve during one of the Millers’ matches at their own Miller Classic Saturday at The Mill. Noblesville finished second at its tournament, and currently holds an 8-4 record for the season. (Richie Hall)