Carmel Boys Volleyball opened the 2026 season with a strong performance at their home invitational, finishing the weekend with a 3-1 record and a runner-up finish at the Aletto Center. The Greyhounds earned impressive wins over New Palestine, Southport, and Monrovia, showcasing depth and balance throughout the lineup. Carmel’s ability to control matches offensively while maintaining consistency in serve receive and defense proved to be a key factor throughout the day. Carmel advanced to the championship match before falling to North Central, one of the top-ranked teams in the state returning significant experience from last season. Despite the loss, the Greyhounds showed early-season promise competing against one of Indiana’s premier programs. Individually, Carmel was led by sophomore Eli Philistin-Lynch, who had a breakout weekend, averaging 3.4 kills per set and totaling 27 kills across the tournament. His ability to terminate in key moments provided a consistent offensive spark for the Greyhounds. Sophomore Dylan Kaiser also made a strong impact at the net, finishing the weekend with an efficient .357 hitting percentage, highlighting Carmel’s ability to generate production from multiple attackers. In the back row, junior libero Thomas Kuehl anchored the defense with a steady presence. Kuehl recorded a standout 2.30 serve receive rating while averaging 6 digs per match, helping the Greyhounds stay composed in both serve receive and defensive transition. With a solid opening weekend behind them, Carmel now turns its attention to a pair of early-season matchups. The Greyhounds will travel to Hamilton Southeastern on Tuesday, March 24th for a key sectional showdown before returning home to host Franklin Community on March 25th.