PREP BOYS VOLLEYBALL: Area teams double heading into the 2026 IHSAA postseason
MIDDLEBURY — Despite getting the head nod and fast-track to becoming a fully supported IHSAA sport two years ago, the number of new boys volleyball teams in the sectional field is seeing just a meager upgrade. A total of 136 teams enter the IHSAA postseason this week, up from 133 in the sport's first year under the IHSAA umbrella after freeing itself from emerging status. In The Goshen News coverage area, the number of varsity programs has doubled with the addition of NorthWood.
The Panthers stuck to club status a year ago before assuming varsity status under head coach Carrie O’Keefe. “I think the biggest transition is that we have a lot of new kids this year — new to volleyball in general,” said O’Keefe, who is also an assistant for the girls volleyball team in the fall. “We don’t have a lot of games as well.
We play a lot of people twice and we’ve only had 12 games this year, so that’s been the biggest struggle. ” The Panthers are 3-9 as they prepare for the program’s first sectional game this Wednesday. NorthWood plays South Bend St.
Joseph in a quarterfinal game at Northridge. The two teams played just a week ago with the Huskies winning 3-0. The host Raiders are one of the 133 teams returning from last year’s inaugural postseason.
Northridge defeated South Bend Adams before losing to Saint Joe as their 2025 tournament run expired a year ago. Now the team is scheduled to play South Bend Washington on Thursday at 5:30 p. m.
Continue to the original source for the full article.