Tag: Carter Glotzbach

Youth not an obstacle for volleyball team

Red Devils face New Albany tonight

by Carter Glotzbach 

This past year JHS girls’ volleyball had one of their best seasons yet, and with a solid start to this year’s season and rival New Albany visiting tonight, it’s clear that the young team is ready to grow up.

Head coach Wes Briscoe sees new potential for growth in this year’s team. 

“This year’s team is one of my favorites, but it’s really hard to say how they stack up to last year considering how young they are. I also think that you’ll see some breakout seasons from new key players because they’re not having to wait behind older ones,” said Briscoe. 

Managers like junior Ryder Lott agree with the head coach’s sentiment. 

“I think the team is really young, but working with them I see a lot of potential in them,” said Lott.

While a younger team is usually viewed as a disadvantage, some see an opportunity. Assistant coach Mackenzie Wilkins said a younger team often provides best opportunity to teach new skills.  

“A younger team is a gift, in my opinion, because they are much more willing to learn and try new things,” she said. 

Junior Kaylee McDaniel states the team is unified despite the youth. 

“I think our team is definitely younger, but we have a much stronger bond and are more willing to play as a team,” she said. 

Junior Haliun Otgonbayar serves an ace during the JHS game against Rock Creek Academy. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.

Junior Haliun Otgonbayar agrees that the Red Devils have an exceptionally strong connection this year.

“We definitely are a tighter knit group and have a closer bond with each other. I think that definitely makes us more dedicated to the team,” said Otgonbayar.

Coach Briscoe recognizes the team’s unity, stating, “I’ve seen it a lot during practice. This year’s team has a much stronger bond than last year’s, and they are definitely more willing to play as a team.”

Players will rely on these bonds as they face local competition this season.

“Some of our biggest competitors are always at the Providence tournament, and last year they gave us some great competition. This year I hope we can make it further than last year’s team, but we’re still really young,” said Briscoe.

The Red Devils understand the strength of their schedule. 

“Providence is definitely a team to look out, for as well as New Albany, Charlestown and Floyd Central,” said McDaniel.

“I think that Floyd Central and New Albany are definitely the biggest competition that we have this year,” added Otgonbayar. 

Coach Briscoe sees the possibility of break-out performances this season. 

“I would keep an eye out for Kaylie Fuller,” he said. “She has shown a lot of potential in practice and could definitely be a high-level player with a few years of work. She’s a great practice player.”

Leadership from team veterans is expected as the volleyball team continues to play in the coming weeks.

“Jordyn Miller is a player I expect to do well this year. She’s a multi-sport athlete, but she’s definitely been working hard to earn her place on the team. Another player with good work ethic is Charlotte Hatfield — she has shown a lot of potential and worked hard in the off-season,” said Briscoe  

The Red Devils huddle up before the game against Christian Academy. Photo by Logan Vidt.

Lott said consistent play will be important as the season continues.

“I see a lot of potential in the team offensively, but I think they need to work on their consistency. If they can keep it up throughout the sets then I think they could have a top tier offense.”

JHS faces New Albany at home tonight, and will visit North Harrison on Sept. 21 before hosting Floyd Central Sept. 29.

by jhshyphen

Boys’ soccer aims for another sectional title

by Carter Glotzbach

After finishing last season with 15 wins, the boys’ soccer team expects to come back stronger this year with hopes for another sectional championship to maintain their streak.

The team has strong chemistry, with hints of it potentially edging out last year’s bond. According to players and coaches, this will be a strong suit of the team and will be put to the test throughout the season. 

“Our team looks very strong and my hope is to win back to back at sectionals,” said sophomore striker Joao Beya.

The 2026-27 varsity sophomore Red Devils pose for the camera during the soccer Media Day. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

Other players agreed, saying that the team is cohesive this year.

“Our team has a great bond this year, and I’m looking forward to the season. I definitely enjoyed last year’s season, but summer training has left me excited for what is ahead this year,” said junior Kevyn Santiago. 

“I’m very impressed with the bond our team made over the summer,” agreed junior Javier Santiago-Cortez. “We all played well with each other, and I think I enjoyed it more than last year.”

Senior Xavier Santiago-Cortez sits while senior Oscar Arredondo uses his cleat to mimic giving a haircut during the soccer Media Day. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

Coaches have also noticed the new team’s connection and acknowledge former players.

“I’m well impressed with the team’s bond; it has been an almost seamless transition, even with our lost seniors,” said head coach Colin Bell.

To prepare for the new season the team put in hours and hard work with early practices and conditioning sessions throughout the summer. 

“We put in a lot of good work and looked good on the field, but what I think puts us ahead of our opponents is the work we put in off the field as well,” said Santiago.

More players shared Santiago’s sentiment.

 “I put in a lot of hours on the field; I also had many hours off the field, and I know other players did too,” said Beya. 

Santiago-Cortez added that while practice was important, some teammates also practiced with each other outside of practice as well. 

“We were definitely well conditioned during the off-season. I felt in much better shape after the first month of practice,” said Santiago-Cortez.

The team’s hard work was led by the coaches, who praised the effort they’ve seen so far.

“Our summer training was very beneficial for us. We learned a lot about each player’s capabilities and their commitment to the team when we had them waking up early for practice,” said Bell. 

All this hard work has the team wondering where they will place this year at sectionals and potentially even regionals. They wonder not only how far they can make it, but also which teams will pose the greatest challenge on their way there. 

New Albany presents the biggest challenge, but the team looks forward to this dynamic this season.

“I think that our biggest competition is definitely New Albany. I think they were our hardest fought win last year, and I’m excited to match up with them again,” said Santiago. 

However, another sectional win is the goal for the Red Devils.

“Honestly, I think that we are the best in our sectionals, but if I had to pick a team that I think would give us the best competition, I think it would be New Albany,” said Santiago-Cortez. 

Bell said Southern Indiana will feature competitive soccer teams this season. 

“I think that competition is pretty equal across the sectional tournament. I think that the team that’s considered the best has an equal chance when compared to the team that’s the worst, but also I think that if we show up and play our best we have the best chance of winning the tournament,” he said.

After hearing about the team’s chemistry, hard work, and competition one might wonder about where they would place in regionals.

“I think a season success would be to win sectionals, but also moving onto regionals and making it further than last year is the ultimate goal,” said Santiago-Cortez.

The 2026-27 varsity senior boys’ Red Devils pose for the camera. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

Other players agree with his sentiment. “I would be very happy to win back to back at sectionals, and continuing on to regionals would be great,” said Beya.

However, the coaching staff is looking at the bigger picture of potentially advancing in the regional tournament.

“Obviously, the goal is a sectional win, but I think a performance in regionals that is better than last year’s would satisfy my expectations,” said Bell.

by jhshyphen