A new look offense will lead the charge for Crawfordsville volleyball in 2024. The Athenians are hoping to improve upon a 10-21 mark from 2023 in coach Allison Manwell’s second season.
“The return on investment of a tough season and what’s going to come out on the other side of it,” Manwell said heading into the fall. “It’s taken a lot hard work in the last eight months to restore trust, teamwork and pride, but we have a fresh mindset and whole-heartedly believe in this group. They have the talent and care for each other to do great things this season.”
The Athenians will move from a 6-2 to a 5-1 offensive system.
“We know we have to be a great serving and passing team first and foremost to compete with our conference, because when we’re in-system, we have a handful of hitters that can terminate the ball,” Manwell added.
Katy Grace Whitecotton, Emma Buser, Ally Strickland, Reese Price, and Claire Peacock are the key returners for Crawfordsville. A group that Manwell is excited about being leaders this season.
“Our depth as well as senior buy-in and leadership is a major asset,” she said. “Our JV group is strong, and the girls playing at all levels give our best players a good push every day and that’s making us better as a program.”
As a freshman last season, Price had 140 kills. Strickland had 118 and Whitecotton 90. Peacock and Buser return as the top defenders recording 163 and 137 digs respectively last season.
Crawfordsville opens the season at home against Sheridan on Aug. 19.
“We have talked about some measurable and tangible outcomes we would like to see happen,” Manwell said. “but we’ve really returned to a culture-building mindset this summer and are working on these less tangible outcomes. We know our systems, attention to details, and actions have to be stronger than our goals.”
