Springs Valley Community High School

The Springs Valley volleyball team knew that this season could be special before it even began. Springs Valley coach Erin Carnes figured out some time ago that her 2022 squad could have a unique mixture of talent, size, experience, and depth and as the season drew closer, her players figured it out as well. As the season progressed, the Blackhawks delivered time and time again on their potential. They took down Class 2A power Evansville Mater Dei and Class 1A No. 4 Trinity Lutheran at the Pioneer Kickoff Classic to open the season. They defeated Class 3A foe Edgewood to win the Leslie Akers Classic. They swept the entire Patoka Lake Athletic Conference — including Class 2A No. 9 Mitchell — for their eighth consecutive undefeated conference championship. They stormed through the Class A Showdown, finally winning the heralded tournament after decades of trying. They beat Class 1A No. 9 Loogootee for the first time since 2018, then did it again by an even greater margin almost three weeks later on the way to a sectional championship. On Saturday, they had a chance to pull off a feat that would surpass every single one of those: winning Springs Valley’s first regional championship since 1999. They took care of business in the regional semifinal, sweeping Lanesville out of the tournament, but that’s where Springs Valley’s success would end. That evening, the Blackhawks fell to Class 1A No. 2 Tecumseh 25-21, 19-25, 25-19, 25-16 in the regional championship match. “Disappointed for them is an understatement, because it’s something we’ve discussed at length and planned for,” Carnes said. “Losing wasn’t part of this team’s vocabulary and I was heartbroken for them when it came to an end.” Though the Blackhawks fell short, they did have success for stretches against Tecumseh. Many of their successes had to do with the play of Bella Nottger. In one of her best matches of the season, the junior was Springs Valley’s only efficient attacking option. She put down 10 kills on 21 attempts with only two errors for a hitting percentage of .381. She was also a menace at the net on defense, racking up a career-high seven blocks. It was the latest example of Nottger stepping up in big games, something she’s shown throughout this season. “Bella has shown many times over what a tremendous player she is, so I wasn’t surprised she came out and performed the way she did,” Carnes said. “She gave every ounce that she had and earned the respect of the Tecumseh team.” Brynne Buchanan also stood out for Springs Valley in the loss. In her final match as a Blackhawk, the senior constantly hit the floor to keep plays alive for her team. She finished with four digs and a team-high 30 serve receptions. She also had a career-high three blocks despite having a significant size disadvantage against most of Tecumseh’s hitters. “Brynne hates to lose more than she likes to win and when you have kids with that mindset, great things happen,” Carnes said. “She’s a true competitor through and through and the phrase ‘back down’ isn’t in her vocabulary. Brynne’s fiery mentality will get her far in life.” The loss ended both Springs Valley’s season and the careers of Buchanan and her classmates — Tynley Kluesner, Alayna Denbo, and Kenzie Harrell. That quartet moving on marks the end of a chapter in program history. During their four seasons at Springs Valley they posted a 108-22 overall record, capped off by the first 30-win season the program has ever seen. They also went 53-8 at home, 24-0 in PLAC matches, 10-0 in sectional matches, and 13-4 in the state tournament overall. They’re the first class in program history to win four sectional championships. For all the trophies and accolades that group collected, though, they’ll be remembered just as much for their leadership, dedication, and kindness. “These four have left a mark on our program that so many teams after them will strive to reach. It’s very hard to put into words what they mean to me,” Carnes said. “We’ve spent many, many hours together over the years and to watch them grow up and become the kind-hearted people they’ve become makes me so proud. I just love them all so much. We take a big hit graduating this class, but with the examples they were setting, they were slowly passing the torch this entire season and making way for the future after they were gone.” With Saturday’s loss being its third in the last four years in the regional championship match, Springs Valley (30-5, 6-0 PLAC) will go back to the drawing board with one question in mind: What will it take to win a regional title? The Blackhawks will get a year or so to figure it out before they make another state tournament run and the obstacles they’ll face will likely be the same ones they did this year — Vincennes Rivet and Loogootee at the sectional level and, if they get past those two, Tecumseh and Trinity Lutheran at regional. They know it will be hard, but they’re also confident that they’ll inevitably break through. They always do. “It’s hard to say. No matter how much talent a team has, there will always be other talented teams who are after the same goal. For our returning players, I hope it ignites a fire in the bellies that slow-burns for the next year and I hope they continue to train in the offseason, because these other elite teams will do the same,” Carnes said. “It took us 20 years to finally make our way to the top at the Class A Showdown. It may be next year or it may be 10 years after I’m gone before we get past the regional, but I know that Springs Valley will find a way. That’s just who we are.” TECUMSEH 3, SPRINGS VALLEY 1 Tecumseh 25 19 25 25 — 3 Springs Valley 21 25 19 16 — 1 Springs Valley: Maddie Carnes 14 kills, 18 assists, 13 digs, 1 block; Bella Nottger 10 kills, 3 digs, 7 blocks, 1 ace; Leigh Carnes 8 kills, 18 assists, 8 digs, 2 blocks; Tynley Kluesner 4 kills, 7 digs, 1 ace; Alayna Denbo 3 kills, 2 blocks; Brynne Buchanan 1 kill, 4 digs, 3 blocks, 1 ace; Molly Tucker 5 digs, 2 aces.