Page 3 - 2024 IBVCA State Tournament Program

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WELCOME
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President
KRISTEN WEBSTER
K R I S T E N W E B S T E R P r e s i d e n t LAST

Welcome to the 31st Annual IBVCA State Tournament Finals
at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse! ROUND

Thirty years ago, someone could have said boys play volleyball and most
of us in the Hoosier state would have laughed while rolling a basketball BEST
their way. Little did we know that everything would change in the span of a
couple generations. Boys who grew to love the sport in the ‘90s became
Over the last 15 years, I have had many wonderful experiences as a part ROUND
fathers who raised their sons to play the game, and now some of those
sons are in the bleachers at volleyball matches across Indiana.

of the IBVCA community. Every season, I am constantly reminded of the
passion, persistence, and commitment to excellence that exists in Indiana high school gyms. I’ve met
people who have not only helped me grow in the sport, but as a human. And that’s what it’s really all
about, right? The actual volleyball is just a small part of it. We’re here to play a game, but also to help
student-athletes gain the skills and confidence they need to go out into the world and build big, bold,
impactful lives for themselves. If this year’s list of post-season award recipients is any indication of
success, we’re doing it right.
In just a few short weeks, the IHSAA will bring boys volleyball beneath its umbrella of recognized Varsity
sports in Indiana, a victory that is built on the shoulders of humble giants. Many of them are here today,
so please make sure you thank them for their unwillingness to accept “No.” For them, it was always “Not
yet.” As we come together to celebrate the IBVCA’s final state tournament, let’s honor the foundation
that was built for boys volleyball over the last 31 seasons so that we can crown the 2024 IBVCA
Champion and move forward together towards a resounding “Yes!” LAST ROUND, BEST ROUND.
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Historic HINKLE FIELDHOUSE
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IBVCA, we are making history as the first boys volleyball state championship in the country to compete
in a collegiate facility. Every moment you spend in Hinkle Fieldhouse is one for the record books, so we
wanted to share a little bit about the almost 100 year old arena. From the Butler University website:
“Known as Indiana’s Basketball Cathedral, Hinkle Fieldhouse has reigned as one of the nation’s great
sports arenas for more than nine decades. The classic facility was constructed in 1928 and has stood
the test of time, maintaining the splendor, character and atmosphere that has made it one of the
nation’s most famous basketball arenas for nearly a century.
Indiana high school basketball and Hinkle Fieldhouse share a rich history together beginning with the
first state title in 1928 when Muncie Central defeated Martinsville. Hinkle served as a sectional,
regional, semi-state and championship site through 1971. The final sectional game was played in 1993.
The iconic sports film Hoosiers shot its final climatic scenes in Hinkle, reminiscent of Milan High School
who won the title there in 1954. The 1986 movie, loosely based on this ultimate David versus Goliath
story, continues to inspire visitors to make the pilgrimage to Hinkle and repeat enduring lines from the
film such as “I’ll make it”, shout “Hickory!”, or check to see if the basket is still 10 feet high!“
The main concourse is filled with memorabilia, records, and stories about all of the “greats” who have
competed and visited Hinkle Fieldhouse over the years. Take a walk around and see what other
amazing things this building has witnessed.