The Warsaw Tigers JV volleyball program took a unique and impressive approach this Saturday, splitting into two full squads—Tiger Black and Tiger White—to compete simultaneously in separate pools. At a time when many programs across the state are challenged to field even a single JV team, Warsaw demonstrated the strength of its program by not only filling two rosters, but doing so with competitive depth and purpose. The decision to divide into two teams was intentional, aimed at maximizing quality playing time and providing meaningful match experience for a large and dedicated group of athletes. The result was a full day of growth, competition, and success across both squads. Tiger Black Recap Tiger Black opened pool play with a strong straight-set victory over Fort Wayne Concordia, 25-17, 25-23, showing consistency and control. They followed with a hard-fought three-set match against Valparaiso, taking the opening set 25-21 before dropping the final two, 15-25, 7-15. In bracket play, Tiger Black faced a pair of tough opponents, falling to Huntington North (19-25, 20-25) and Elkhart (16-25, 21-25). Despite the results, the group showed resilience throughout the day against quality competition. Statistically, Tiger Black was led by setter Barrett Hodorek, who totaled 55 assists while also contributing 3 aces. Offensively, Milo VanderMolen paced the team with 17 kills and 7 blocks, while Keagan Patrick added 15 kills. David Hall (12 kills) and Matthew Pierce (11 kills, 7 blocks) were also key contributors at the net. Defensively, Miles Whitaker led with 18 digs, followed by Rohit Patnala (11), and both Grayson Lincoln and Jitheash Sivakumar with 10 apiece. Lincoln and Hall each added multiple aces from the service line. Coach Jason Fleming praised his group’s effort and growth throughout the day. "This group competed hard in every match and embraced the opportunity to face strong opponents. We saw a lot of growth, especially in how we responded to adversity. I’m proud of the way they stayed together and continued to battle." Tiger White Recap Tiger White faced a challenging start in pool play, falling to Munster in straight sets (15-25, 20-25), but quickly rebounded with a dominant win over Penn, 25-11, 25-15. That momentum carried into bracket play, where Tiger White put together an impressive run. They defeated Elkhart in straight sets, 25-18, 25-13, before closing the day with a three-set victory over Huntington North, 22-25, 25-21, 15-8. Leading the way for Tiger White was Fisher Whitaker, who delivered a standout performance with 33 kills and 14 blocks. CJ Hutton added a strong presence at the net with 11 kills and 12 blocks, while Luis Neumann (6 kills, 5 blocks, 2 aces), Jonah Burgher (5 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces), and Mason Silveus (4 kills, 3 blocks) provided balanced offensive support. Setter Ryan Carnes orchestrated the offense with 63 assists, while the defensive unit was anchored by Eli Bell (23 digs), Sam Bowers (15 digs), John Conley (12 digs, 2 aces), and Owen Barker (10 digs, 5 aces). Coach Shirley Fleming highlighted the team’s response after a slow start. "I was really proud of how this group responded after the first match. They showed resilience, communicated well, and played with confidence as the day went on. It was great to see so many players contribute in meaningful ways." Program Strength on Display Beyond the wins and losses, the day represented something larger for the Warsaw program. By splitting into two competitive JV squads, the Tigers maximized development opportunities and showcased the depth of talent within the program. Both teams gained valuable match experience, and the coaching staff emphasized how important those reps are in building future varsity contributors. The Tigers left the day with more than just results—they left with growth, confidence, and a clear example of what makes the program special. Coaches from both squads expressed pride in the effort, attitude, and teamwork displayed throughout the day, reinforcing that the future of Warsaw volleyball is both deep and bright.