LAKEVILLE - Who will fill their shoes? With the graduation of five players from the 2023 LaVille volleyball team, Lancer coach Pat Gring is looking to the group to step up. LHS finished 14-19 overall and 2-5 in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference a year ago. Picking up their diplomas were Kate Aschenbrenner, Elaina Borton, Ava Fuchs, Caitlyn Goffinet, and Lily Smith. Both Borton and Fuchs earned all-conference recognition. Included in the graduates were LaVille's top two setters in Borton and Aschenbrenner, the top three attackers, the top five defenders, and the top two blockers. "They started with us as the only five freshmen (in 2020) and stayed that way throughout," Gring said of the five graduates. "The chemistry and team bond they formed was so good and that's hard to duplicate." Gring now looks to a new group to step in and make their mark. "Moriah Richhart and Madi Singleton have really brought the intensity to our summer session," noted the Lancer coach. "Both are outside hitters. Faith Mejer and Ragen Wagoner are handling the middle position aggressively and should be adding some kills to the count. It's anyone's game at this point, but we are lucky to have players who can step up." Richhart played in just under 100 varsity sets last season, while Singleton's varsity appearances were approximately 20% of the total sets played. Those two, in addition to Mejer and Wagoner, look to contribute at the net offensively and defensively. "I think our starting 7 absolutely realizes the shoes they are filling and the opportunity is there for them to be seen and appreciated," Gring said when asked about this year's team understanding the opportunities in front of them and the potential to shine. "They are competitive players and have a true desire to make their mark." Setting up the net attack is another important aspect of the game so serve receive and setting will be crucial components. Aschenbrenner and Borton were the top two setters in coach Gring's 6-2 offense. According to the fifth-year boss, LaVille will continue with that 6-2 offense. "We will be running a 6-2 with Reagan Bollenbacher and Olivia Markin," explained Gring. "They have soft sets and good control so we're confident they will get the job done. They also have good right side defensive coverage at the net and are decent RS hitters." Six players fill out the LaVille roster and are looking to contribute themselves. "Our newcomers are some of the most coachable, energetic, good-natured players we could hope to have, so helping them step up has been an easy task as coaches," said Gring, who is 66-84 in her fifth season in Lakeville. "They are also versatile, so placing them just about anywhere on the court is an option." Joining the varsity this fall are senior Madison Grove, junior Lilly Higley, sophomores Lorelai Carey, Sarah Tharp, Lily Voss, and freshman Avery Lee. Carey, Tharp, Voss, and Lee will swing between the junior varsity and varsity. Among the regular season matches, LaVille is scheduled to participate in the Peru Invitational (Aug. 17) and the Caston Invitational (Oct. 5), along with joining the Indiana Northern State Conference. The Lancers join Bremen, Jimtown, John Glenn, Knox, and Tippecanoe Valley beginning in 2024-25. "The new conference is a nice change and I look forward to our matches," coach Gring said when asked about the new conference and home-and-home scheduling. "As a coach, my personal preference is to limit the number of times we see any team during the season; I like variety. That being said, seeing every conference team twice is a challenge we look forward to accepting. Raegan Bollenbacher and Moriah Richhart have been selected captains for the 2024 team. LaVille will close the season in the Indiana High School Athletic Association state volleyball tournament. LHS is set to participate in the Class 2A sectional along with Bremen, Career Academy South Bend, Jimtown, Knox, and Winamac. The sectional host is yet to be determined. * * * * * LAVILLE LANCERS Coach: Pat Gring (66-84 in 5th season) Assistants: Addison Downer, Sydney Coblentz Letterwinners Lost (4): Kate Aschenbrenner, Elaina Borton, Ava Fuchs, Caitlyn Goffinet, Lily Smith. Letterwinners Returning (6): Seniors - Reagan Bollenbacher, Moriah Richhart. Juniors - Olivia Markin, Faith Mejer, Madi Singleton, Ragen Wagoner. Newcomers (6): Senior - Madison Grove (DS). Junior - Lilly Higley (L). Sophomores - Lorelei Carey (MB), Sarah Tharp (DS/OH), Lily Voss (OH/DS).Freshman - Avery Lee (S). 2023 Record: 14-19 (2-5 HNAC) Conference: Indiana Northern State Conference (Bremen, Jimtown, John Glenn, Knox, LaVille, Tippecanoe Valley) Season Opener: Aug. 17 at Peru Invitational, 9 a.m.