OTTUMWA — Pick your poison.

Want to get pulverized by an Karie Downing or Allison Uceda spike or get embarrassed by a perfectly placed tap over the net by Melanie Hackbarth?

It’s a problem Indian Hills’ volleyball opponents face each time the Warriors take the court. Indian Hills is 9-3 — including five straight wins — and ranked No. 15 in the latest NJCAA poll.

“Our sophomores have stepped up with some leadership and the freshman we brought in this year have fit into our system really well,” coach Tori Fowler said.

The Warriors run their offense through Hackbarth — a 5-10 setter. The Algona native routinely sets teammates up with a perfect lob pass for an easy kill.

“It’s amazing playing with Melanie [Hackbarth],” Downing said. “Setting is one of the toughest jobs to have in volleyball. It’s nice having a good setter like her because she makes stuff happen.”

Besides Hackbarth, the Warriors feature an array of talented players. Fowler is able to regularly rotate anywhere from eight to 10 players on a given night.

While it’s difficult to manage her players’ roles on the team, Fowler said it’s a nice problem to have.

“We have been able to bring in people off our bench and still play at a very consistent level,” she said. “In the years I’ve been in here, this is the most talented group for depth.”

Fowler specifically credited her sophomores for providing leadership to the freshmen. Amy Wetrich, Brianna Thornton, Hackbarth and Chelsea Wood each bring a different element to the team.

“Amy has stepped up in terms of being a vocal leader on the team,” Fowler said. “Brianna has done it by example and how hard she works. Melanie just kind of takes quiet control. Chelsea on the court is very much our person who gives direction.”

A class of seven freshman had little problem gelling with the five sophomores already on the roster. The team’s ability to talk on and off the floor is key, Wetrich said.

“It’s really important because we know what each other can do,” said Wetrich, an Ottumwa native. “We talk and communicate and put balls away by making sure everyone is where they are supposed to be.”

With a strong start and good team camaraderie, the Warriors envision a successful season. Fowler said the team wants to win at least 20 games, beat Iowa Western and go to nationals.

Iowa Western is the defending national champion and is ranked No. 1 in the latest NJCAA Div. I poll.