Last season, a relatively young Hamilton Heights volleyball team finished with an 18-14 record.
With most of those players back, the Huskies should be on their way to another winning season. This year’s team has a plurality of seniors, with six 12th-graders on the roster.
That includes the leading hitter and the top two setters. Senior Ana Collar did a little bit of everything last season; as a junior she put down 213 kills last year, averaging 2.1 per set.
Another senior, Tori Hayden, hit 190 kills last season, while junior Hanna Crist made 170.
Collar shared setting duties with Emma Knowles, who led the assist category with 383. Collar handed out 366 assists.
On defense, Collar returns the most digs with 336 and is third on the blocking list with 55 total stops. Heights returns its top four blockers: Hayden made 72 blocks, junior Syd Griffey had 64 and Crist made 50.
Knowles returns the most service aces with 37. The Huskies are well-balanced in serving, as six returners delivered at least 10 aces last season.
Heights opens its season on Tuesday by hosting Guerin Catholic, then welcomes Lebanon on Wednesday.
ROSTER
Seniors: Ana Collar, Tori Hayden, Emma Knowles, Jenae Osswald, Brooke Pennington, Kylie Rose.
Juniors: Hanna Crist, Syd Griffey, Rachel Howie, Kennedy Lewis.
Sophomores: Jordan Beck, Kennedy McGill, Carlie Ward.
Freshman: Chloe Thomas.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 15: Guerin Catholic, 6 p.m.
Aug. 16: Lebanon, 6 p.m.
Aug. 17: at Sheridan, 6 p.m.
Aug. 19: at Cardinal Ritter Invitational, 9 a.m.
Aug. 22: at Tipton, 6 p.m.
Aug. 23: New Palestine, 6 p.m.
Aug. 24: at Northwestern, 6 p.m.
Aug. 28: at Alexandria, 6 p.m.
Aug. 29: at Frankton, 6 p.m.
Aug. 31: at Lewis Cass, 6 p.m.
Sept: 5: Brebeuf Jesuit, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 7: Western, 6 p.m.
Sept. 9: at New Castle Invitational, 10 a.m.
Sept. 12: Noblesville, 6 p.m.
Sept. 13: at Tri-Central, 6 p.m.
Sept. 18: at Zionsville, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: at Lapel, 6 p.m.
Sept. 25: Scecina, 6 p.m.
Sept. 26: at Heritage Christian, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 28: Fishers, 6 p.m.
Sept. 30: Hoosier Conference meet, 10 a.m. at Western
Oct. 3: at Westfield, 5:30 p.m.
Ana Collar (left) was a key leader in several stats for the Hamilton Heights volleyball team last season. This year, Collar is one of six Huskies seniors. In the background is Hanna Crist, a returning junior. (Brian Reddick/File photo)