Rising Sun volleyball team has title aspirations

    Rising Sun volleyball coach Rich Wilson expects to field one of his most talented teams.
    That's saying something when you consider the Tigers have captured two state titles and have been fixtures in the state tournament.

    Senior outside hitter Bailey Hook will lead an experienced core which will be backed by a talented group of freshmen.
    Seniors Anna Caldwell (setter), Victoria Werner (libero), Erica Brown (defensive specialist), Rachel Bowles (middle hitter), and Christine Nietert (outside hitter) and juniors Erika Dixon (outside hitter, setter), Erin Harkey (outside hitter), Marie Hyman (defensive specialist, outside hitter), and Anna Prodoehl (right side attacker) provide a ton of experience.
    Freshmen Lacey Swartout (outside hitter), Maddy Eckerd (middle hitter), Breanne Haley (outside hitter), and Sarah Williams (setter, outside hitter) add club experience, height, and athleticism.
    "In my estimation, this is the most talented group of incoming freshmen I have seen in my 14 years at Rising Sun," Wilson said. "Which has made this year's varsity team perhaps the most talented team I have coached since the 2006 state championship team."
    Wilson says practice has been intense. "Competition has heated up between the freshmen and our returning players, allowing no one to rest on their laurels. While Bailey may be firmly ensconced at one outside hitter position, Lacey and Breanne are pushing for consideration at the other outside hitter position. And any of the outside hitters could be switched to the middle to give Rachel and Maddy competition or to the right to compete with Anna."
    "What is so unique about this year's version of Tiger volleyball is the overall talent level," Wilson said. "There is little difference in level throughout the lineup, leaving experience as the main differentiator. Even then, that might not be enough to keep the freshmen at bay. From a coaching perspective we will be able to sub players with little or no dropoff in talent level. And as we cross-train our hitters into the other hitting positions, we could become a matchup nightmare for opponents."
    Wilson said the 5-10 Swartout has been particularly impressive. "While Bailey brings a rare athleticism to the outside hitter position, Lacey is more conventional in that she uses her height to her advantage."
    Caldwell will run the offense. "In her second year as starting setter she will have to take a more varied approach to her set distribution," Wilson said. "With a lineup that could give you three "Bailey Hook" quality hitters across the front line, keeping everyone happy may be her biggest problem. Feeding the offense will primarily fall on the shoulders on Werner, Brown, and Hyman. All three players have versatility, Wilson said.
    "Predictions always falter in the face of reality," Wilson said. "Our reality is that we have a full season to work through yet. I have always said it takes three things to win a championship – talent, determination, and luck. We have the first covered. We will discover over the course of the season if we have the second. Luck, well…"