IHSAA 1A Preview: #3 Loogootee
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The Lions were my prohibitive favorite going into last fall, and my state championship prediction in November of ’20. Then Pioneer went on an unprecedented run in three different sports to lift the big trophy at the end of each…
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Continue ReadingThe Lions were my prohibitive favorite going into last fall, and my state championship prediction in November of ’20. Then Pioneer went on an unprecedented run in three different sports to lift the big trophy at the end of each season (volleyball, basketball, softball), and that’s all she wrote. What intrigued me at the time was Pioneer’s ability to out-athletic a well-trained Loogootee squad that has many more club players. With the graduation of four, let’s see what Loogootee has coming back.
’22, Kylie VanHoy Kylie VanHoy 5'10" | S Loogootee | 2022 State IN , 5-10 S
I’m listing Kylie as a setter simply because that’s the majority of what I saw during club season at Evansville United. She locates hittable balls consistently and sees mismatches to give her hitters an advantage. But, like last fall, the Lions will be calling on her to do a LOT more offensively, including on the attack and blocking. In all, Miss VanHoy led the Lions in kills and blocks, and is the returning leader in assists. Even though they ran a 6-2 out of necessity last fall, I can’t imagine them changing to a 5-1; Kylie’s offense is too important. The questions remain—where might the offensive help come from and who might be the other setter?
’22, Jocelyn Strange Jocelyn Strange 5'1" | DS/L Loogootee | 2022 State IN , 5-1 DS/L
The team leader in digs and is up for being the libero again during her final season. This Metro-trained kid always seems to be in the right place at the right time, and her anticipation is among the best in the Evansville area. Miss Strange is also a force behind the service line, finishing third on the team in aces.
’22, Grace Lingenfelter, 5-2 DS/L
A three-rotation DS through and through, Grace’s shoulder will do some damage from behind the service line, bringing nearly an ace per set to the fold. I haven’t decided if I like her as a wing defender or in the middle back, but her footwork is so quick and efficient that I think it doesn’t matter. Between Grace and Jocelyn, you could do a lot worse in the serve receive department.