Springs Valley Community High School

Each year an ensemble of the best small-school volleyball programs descend on Blue River Valley High School in New Castle to compete in one of the premier regular-season tournaments in the state, the Class A Showdown. For roughly two decades, Springs Valley has been one of those programs and for roughly two decades, Springs Valley has failed to win the championship. It was one of the few things that the Blackhawks had yet to win in their history. It was, at least, until Saturday. On Saturday, Springs Valley walked into Blue River Valley and walked out with a quartet of wins, some assorted milestones and accolades, and a trophy. “This was such a special moment for our team, coaches, parents, and program,” Springs Valley coach Erin Carnes said. “We’ve been participating in this Showdown for about 20 years and to finally get over the hump was a great feeling. The ride back didn't seem so long this year.” The Blackhawks started the day with a 25-8, 25-8 drubbing of Cowan, then moved on to a 25-7, 25-18 victory over Indianapolis Lutheran. They were pushed in their final pool play match, falling behind Wes-Del 18-10 before roaring back to win the match 26-24, 25-14 and the championship match against Lafayette Central Catholic followed a similar narrative. Springs Valley lost the first set 25-22, then fought their way to 25-22 and 15-11 wins in the final two sets to get the win. The run was and will continue to be huge for Springs Valley as according to MaxPreps, Lutheran is a top 30 team in Class 1A, Wes-Del is ranked 18th in Class 2A, and Lafayette Central Catholic is the No. 11 team in Class 2A. “This accomplishment was a very important moment in our season,” Carnes said. “Not only did we check another box on our to-do list, but we did that after coming back from behind in two of the biggest matches. I think it shows that we’re tournament-ready and are willing to tackle anyone who gets in our way to our next goal.” Leading the way for the Blackhawks across all four matches was Leigh Carnes. The junior impacted each match in a multitude of ways, finishing with 32 kills, 52 assists, 23 digs, six aces, and four blocks in nine sets to earn most valuable player honors for the tourney. She also reached a major career milestone against Lutheran, eclipsing the 1,000 career assists mark in the first set. “I thought Leigh had a great tournament from start to finish contributing in so many different areas,” Erin Carnes said. “She made a lot of big time plays and smart decisions when we needed them the most and that’s something that her team can consistently depend on.” Joining Leigh Carnes on the all-tournament team was classmate Bella Nottger. She continued the hot streak that’s made her the Class 1A leader in hitting percentage, throwing down 26 kills on 39 attempts with just six errors all day. She also had eight blocks, five digs, and three aces to contribute to the Blackhawks’ championship run. “Bella was huge on Saturday. I’ve said it many times, but she just causes so much to happen at the net, be it on the offensive or defensive end,” Erin Carnes said. “She and Leigh both were very deserving of the recognition they received.” Springs Valley’s seniors also reached a major milestone on Saturday. As a group, they collected their 100th career win as the Blackhawks downed Lafayette Central Catholic. That marker will likely be the beginning of the end for Brynne Buchanan, Alayna Denbo, Kenzie Harrell, and Tynley Kluesner as in the coming weeks that special group will attempt to clinch its final Patoka Lake Athletic Conference championship and then make its final State Tournament run. “I have coached this particular group of girls from the time they were very young. I took some of them to their first-ever volleyball tournament down in Louisville back when they were only about 10 years old, so we’ve spent quite a bit of time together over the years,” Erin Carnes said. “Obviously, we all share the love of volleyball, but that aside, they’re caring and down-to-earth individuals and are so much fun to be around. I have a lot of love for these four girls and watching them walk off the court their final time is going to be tough.” Saturday’s achievements were also special to Springs Valley (22-4, 4-0 PLAC) for another reason. Saturday would’ve been the 80th birthday of program legend and Hall of Fame coach Leslie Akers, who passed away in 2021. On top of the nearly 600 wins and various titles her teams won over the course of her decades-long career, Akers was also the person who got Springs Valley into the Class A Showdown in the first place. “Mrs. Akers knew that for us to get better, we had to play better teams. We’ve been battling every year since, getting closer and closer, and on Saturday, this team accomplished a goal that so many teams before them couldn't,” Erin Carnes said. “To do that on her birthday was sentimental and when we were driving home, we came across the most gorgeous sunset. The few of us on the bus felt it was her smiling down and giving us her wink of approval.” SPRINGS VALLEY 2, COWAN 0 Cowan 8 8 — 0 Springs Valley 25 25 — 2 Springs Valley: Bella Nottger 6 kills, 1 dig, 1 ace; Tynley Kluesner 4 kills, 3 digs, 3 aces; Leigh Carnes 4 kills, 13 assists, 3 digs, 1 block, 4 aces; Alayna Denbo 3 kills; Maddie Carnes 3 kills, 7 assists, 3 digs, 1 block, 1 ace; Brynne Buchanan 2 kills, 4 digs, 1 ace; Molly Tucker 9 digs. SPRINGS VALLEY 2, INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN 0 Indianapolis Lutheran 7 18 — 0 Springs Valley 25 25 — 2 Springs Valley: Leigh Carnes 8 kills, 13 assists, 1 dig, 1 block, 1 ace; Tynley Kluesner 7 kills, 3 digs, 1 block; Bella Nottger 5 kills, 3 blocks; Maddie Carnes 5 kills, 17 assists, 10 digs, 1 block, 4 aces; Alayna Denbo 4 kills, 1 block; Brynne Buchanan 1 kill, 6 digs, 4 aces; Molly Tucker 6 digs; Kinsey Saliba 1 dig. SPRINGS VALLEY 2, WES-DEL 0 Wes-Del 24 14 — 0 Springs Valley 26 25 — 2 Springs Valley: Leigh Carnes 8 kills, 13 assists, 9 digs, 1 ace; Bella Nottger 8 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace; Alayna Denbo 4 kills, 1 block; Maddie Carnes 4 kills, 14 assists, 9 digs, 1 block; Tynley Kluesner 3 kills, 4 digs; Brynne Buchanan 1 kill, 1 assists, 7 digs, 1 ace; Molly Tucker 9 digs, 2 aces. SPRINGS VALLEY 2, LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 1 Laf. Central Catholic 25 22 11 — 1 Springs Valley 22 25 25 — 2 Springs Valley: Leigh Carnes 12 kills, 13 assists, 10 digs, 2 blocks; Bella Nottger 7 kills, 4 digs, 3 blocks, 1 ace; Alayna Denbo 6 kills, 1 dig; Maddie Carnes 6 kills, 23 assists, 17 digs, 1 block, 1 ace; Tynley Kluesner 4 kills, 14 digs, 1 block; Brynne Buchanan 2 kills, 4 digs, 1 ace; Molly Tucker 15 digs.