She may only be a junior, but if there’s a player from the SIC who has been making a splash to begin her third year of varsity, Libby Ryan of Evansville North is a major reason why her high school team is off to an impressive 7-2 start to begin the 2024 volleyball season. After helping them to a 22-12 (4-2) conference record, Ryan spent last season as the Lasy Huskies starting middle blocker where she registered 182 kills, 57 digs, 10 assists, and set a single-season record with 115 blocks! With plenty of great talent up front, Ryan says that her team has gotten better both offensively and defensively as they continue to make a solid statement this fall. The Lady Huskies provide plenty of options at outside hitter in seniors Camden Hiatt, Avery Lasher, and junior Libby Ryan which makes this year’s team a force to consider as they currently search for their first sectional title as a volleyball program.

“This North team has a lot of strengths including the height we have in our front row which has helped us to be so strong at blocking this season. We also have so many options for strong hitting across our front row and our back row is so fast and does a great job of making big plays for us. We are really strong all around this season at every position and I think that makes it hard to play us.” Ryan told Justin Hartsough of One Nation Sports Indiana.

Five days ago, Ryan was nominated by the Indy Star as player of the week after finishing a busy weekend of volleyball where she posted 31 kills, 28 blocks, and 10 digs in over six matches with the Lady Huskies. She feels very honored to be recognized for her fine achievements as an outside hitter and couldn’t have done it without the help and support of her high school coach Ashley Kaczmarski who persuaded Ryan into playing middle blocker last season which paved the way for her level of success on the volleyball court

“It is exciting to be acknowledged by the Indy Star as a middle hitter in high school volleyball since that is not my usual outside hitter position which I play for travel. Coach K asked me to step into the middle blocker role for our North team last year during my sophomore season and she has been great at pushing me to really commit to being the best middle I can be and filling the role she needs me to fill on our roster. I have bought into her plan and my blocking has been a big part of my success on the court this year and last. I know that my time in the high school season at the middle position helps me when I’m back in the outside hitter position with my travel team to transition off the net faster and helps me with my block work.” Ryan said.

If there’s one thing that the 6-1 junior has been working on to make her game even better as an outside hitter, its the fact of putting in the extra workload each day for one’s goals and dreams to come true.

“I think the time I spend outside of volleyball focusing on my strength and conditioning has improved every aspect of my playing. I spend a lot of time in the weight room and that has positively impacted my physicality as a player.” Ryan said.

When asked about her recruiting process, Ryan says that it has been quite an adventure so far as she currently searches for the right program to play college volleyball.

“The recruiting process can be stressful but super exciting at the same time. I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of great opportunities and I am excited to find the right school and program for me. I’ve been able to have a lot of great conversations with a lot of different coaches and am excited about the potential opportunities I have to play volleyball at the next level.” Ryan said.

With new goals in store for this season, the star outside hitter is on a mission to break her single-season blocking record while helping Evansville North win its first conference and sectional title as a girls’ volleyball program.

“My main personal goal of the season is breaking my own North High School single season blocking record from last season. As a North team, a conference and sectional championship is within reach this year and I’m hoping we can finally achieve that.” Ryan said.

After falling in five sets to conference opponent
Jasper, the Evansville North Lady Huskies have a busy week of volleyball ahead of them as they travel to take on a very good North Posey Lady Vikings team. Tip-off from Poseyville is slated for 6:30pm this coming Wednesday!