The Indy Ignite added another strong performance Sunday at Fishers Event Center, sweeping the Atlanta Vibe 25-19, 28-26, 27-25 to improve to 18-4 and remain in first place in Major League Volleyball. The victory came three days after Indy clinched a postseason berth, and it left the Ignite 1.5 games ahead of Dallas with six regular-season matches remaining.

Any thought of a letdown after the playoff-clinching win at San Diego did not show up for long. Indy handled the opening set comfortably, then found a way to finish off the final two sets when Atlanta pushed the match into extra points.

Ignite coach Lauren Bertolacci said afterward that Atlanta is the kind of opponent that keeps applying pressure. “It’s good we could manage it and win those,” she told Our Sports Central, noting the value of closing out tight sets late in the season.

Indy again leaned on its veteran firepower. Azhani Tealer led the Ignite with 19 kills while hitting 55.8 percent, and Leketor Member-Meneh added 13 kills. According to the team’s post-match release, the two were especially important late in the second set, combining for eight of Indy’s final nine points to secure the 28-26 win and put the Ignite firmly in control.

Atlanta did not go quietly. Taylor Smith led the Vibe with 12 kills and 14 digs for her second straight double-double, while Anna Dixon provided 11 kills off the bench and Maggie Mendelson added seven kills, two aces and a block. Atlanta coach Kayla Banwarth said her team competed better as the match went on, particularly after a slow start.

The sweep continued what has become a dominant stretch for the Ignite. WTHR described Sunday’s result as another straight-set win for the playoff-bound, league-leading club, which had already improved to 17-4 by rallying past San Diego on April 9 to lock up a championship spot for the second straight season.

Indy’s next match is April 17 at Grand Rapids. The Ignite then return home April 19 to face Dallas in what could be one of the most important regular-season matches left on the schedule.

The Indy Fuel picked up two critical points Sunday, but their playoff fate remains very much in doubt.

With the 4-3 shootout win over the Iowa Heartlanders, Indy now has 76 points and sits in third place in the ECHL’s Western Conference Central Division. Close behind, both Bloomington Bison and Cincinnati Cyclones have 75 points, Kalamazoo has 74, leaving little margin for error.

The top four teams in the division qualify for the playoffs, and the Fuel have just two regular-season games remaining—both on the road—against strong opponents in Fort Wayne on Wednesday and Wheeling on Saturday. Those games could ultimately determine whether Indy reaches the postseason.

Sunday’s win in Iowa did not come easily.

The Heartlanders struck first when Isaac Johnson scored an unassisted goal just 3:31 into the opening period. Iowa controlled much of the early play, outshooting Indy 14-9 and carrying a 1-0 lead into the second.

Iowa extended the advantage early in the second period on a goal by Elliot Desnoyers, but the Fuel responded. Defenseman Matt Petgrave cut the deficit in half and, in the process, set a new franchise single-season record for points by a defenseman with 45.

Later in the period, Cody Laskosky tied the game with a power-play goal, evening the score at 2-2 heading into the third.

Indy briefly took its first lead of the game when Alex DiPaolo scored early in the third period, but Iowa answered quickly to tie it at 3-3. Despite several late chances and five total power-play opportunities, the Fuel could not regain the lead in regulation.

After a scoreless overtime, the game moved to a shootout that stretched six rounds.

Goaltender Owen Flores proved to be the difference, stopping five of six Iowa shooters. Marcus Joughin and Jadon Joseph each converted in the shootout to secure the victory.

Indy outshot Iowa 34-32 overall, but led for only about three minutes of game time.

Now, with the standings tightly packed and no room for missteps, the Fuel head into their final two games knowing every point could make the difference between extending their season—or heading home early.

A recent claim about which Indianapolis television news operation is “number one” has sparked a public back-and-forth — and a closer look shows the answer is not as simple as it once was.

Jacob Stewart, an opinion columnist for The Indianapolis Star, recently wrote that WTHR holds the top spot in the local market. That prompted a response on social media from Angela Ganote of WXIN (Fox59), who countered that her station is actually No. 1.

So, who is right?

In today’s fragmented media environment, both sides can make a case — depending on how “number one” is defined.

Stewart’s claim is rooted in a recent Federal Communications Commission filing tied to the proposed merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc.. Nexstar owns Fox59, while Tegna owns WTHR. The deal has been stalled by a federal court injunction, with a final ruling still pending.

That FCC filing cites Nielsen data showing WTHR ranked No. 1 overall in the Indianapolis market, with Fox59 a close second. The ranking is based on total audience share across a broad broadcast day, not a single newscast.

That distinction matters.

Television ratings are typically broken into “dayparts” — morning, midday, evening and late night — and it is common for different stations to lead in different time slots. A station may dominate mornings, for example, while another leads at 11 p.m. Without seeing those individual breakdowns, a single “No. 1” label can oversimplify the picture.

The FCC filing also suggests WTHR generates more overall revenue, another traditional indicator of market strength.

But television is no longer just television.

Digital platforms now play a major role in how audiences consume local news, and by that measure, Fox59 appears to have the edge. Publicly available web traffic estimates consistently show Fox59 drawing significantly more online visitors than its competitors, indicating a larger digital audience.

On another major platform — YouTube — the advantage shifts again. WTHR’s channel leads the Indianapolis market with roughly 385,000 subscribers, well ahead of other local stations.

The bottom line: there is no single, universally accepted measure of “number one” anymore.

On traditional broadcast ratings, the best publicly available data points to WTHR as the market leader, with Fox59 close behind. On digital platforms, particularly web traffic, Fox59 appears to hold the top spot. On YouTube, WTHR leads again.

In other words, the answer depends on which scoreboard you are using — and in today’s media landscape, there are several.

The Indy Fuel built an early two-goal advantage but could not hold on Saturday night, falling 4-3 to the Iowa Heartlanders in a Central Division matchup.

After a slow start to the opening period, the Fuel struck first at 13:01 when Chris Cameron fired a shot from the point for a 1-0 lead. Indy added to that margin late in the period as Jadon Joseph split two defenders and finished a breakaway goal, giving the Fuel a 2-0 edge heading into the first intermission.

The momentum shifted in the second period. Iowa cut the deficit in half at 6:06 on a goal by Matthew Argentina, then quickly tied the game at 8:14 when Cameron Butler scored on one of two rapid-fire shots by the Heartlanders.

The Fuel responded midway through the period. Jesse Tucker found the net at 12:49, assisted by Matt Petgrave, restoring a 3-2 Indy lead. Despite several penalties on both sides and a late power-play opportunity, the Fuel carried that one-goal advantage into the third.

Iowa drew even early in the final period, with Keltie Jeri-Leon scoring at 2:01 to make it 3-3. The Fuel had multiple chances on the power play later in the period but were unable to convert.

The decisive moment came during 4-on-4 play at 13:23, when Butler scored his second goal of the night to give Iowa its first lead at 4-3.

Indy pulled its goaltender in the final minutes, but could not find the equalizer. Despite outshooting Iowa 37-24, the Fuel were unable to capitalize on their chances and dropped the one-goal decision.

The loss comes as the Fuel continue to battle for positioning in a tight Central Division playoff race.

If Dixie Wooten had any concerns about a letdown following last week’s statement win over Arizona, his team quickly put those to rest Saturday night.

The Fishers Freight turned in a dominant performance at the Fishers Event Center, defeating the Iowa Barnstormers 63-33.

Fishers took control by capitalizing on Iowa’s special teams mistakes, most notably a blocked kick late in the first half that set up a short touchdown drive from the 10-yard line.

The contest was competitive early, but that pivotal sequence helped swing momentum decisively in the Freight’s favor. Iowa answered with a late first-half drive, aided by three Fishers penalties, to score as time expired. Still, the Freight held a comfortable 32-19 lead at the break.

The second half belonged entirely to Fishers.

The Freight extended their lead to 52-26 by the end of the third quarter, effectively putting the game out of reach. Entering the game as 16.5-point favorites, Fishers had little trouble covering the spread.

Offensively, it was a familiar formula under Wooten—establishing the running game early and using it to open up the passing attack. With the outcome well in hand in the fourth quarter, quarterback Felix Harper ceded snaps to wide receiver Jordan Davis, who handled the offense in the closing minutes.

Wooten also dipped into his bag of tricks with an onside kick attempt—one of his signature calls—but despite the Freight recovering the ball, the play was negated by an offsides penalty. A coach’s challenge did not overturn the ruling.

Iowa, now under first-year head coach Andre Coles, continues to rebuild after a one-win season in 2025. The Barnstormers have overhauled much of their roster, but Saturday’s result underscored that the process remains a work in progress.

The Freight now hit the road for back-to-back games, traveling to face the Tulsa Oilers next Saturday before visiting Iowa the following week.

Fishers returns home to the Fishers Event Center on Saturday, May 2, for a key matchup against the Green Bay Blizzard.

As we enter the heart of the spring season, we see a busy road construction listing from the City of Fishers.

Here is the complete list, as provided by the City of Fishers, for the work week starting the week of Sunday, April 12:

Continue reading Weekly road construction report for the week starting Sunday, April 12 →

The Fishers Freight return home Saturday night looking to continue their early-season momentum, but standing in their way is an Iowa Barnstormers team still searching for its first win—and trying to rebuild on the fly.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Fishers Event Center, with the Freight listed as a 16.5-point favorite.

Fishers enters the game at 2-1 and coming off an impressive win over Arizona, a team led by one of the Indoor Football League’s top quarterbacks. That victory helped push the Freight up to No. 3 in the latest IFL Coaches Poll and reinforced the growing belief that this team is a legitimate contender in 2026.

Iowa, meanwhile, comes into the game at 0-2, but its record may not tell the full story.

A Team in Transition

The Barnstormers are in the early stages of a rebuild under first-year head coach Andre Coles, who took over after a difficult 2025 season in which Iowa managed just one win.

The roster has been almost completely turned over, with only a handful of returning players. That lack of continuity has shown early, particularly on defense, where Iowa has allowed 46 and 50 points in its first two games.

Still, there are signs of progress.

Offensive Improvement

Quarterback Harry Roubidoux has shown steady improvement through the first two games. After a modest debut, he took a significant step forward in Iowa’s most recent game, throwing for nearly 200 yards and six touchdowns.

That kind of production suggests Iowa has the ability to keep pace offensively, particularly with a group of experienced receivers and a running game led by Nasjzae Bryant-Lelei.

Even in losses, the Barnstormers have demonstrated they can move the ball and score—something that could test a Freight defense that continues to develop.

Defensive Concerns

The bigger concern for Iowa has been stopping opponents.

In both losses, the Barnstormers fell behind early and were forced to play catch-up. That is a dangerous formula against a Fishers offense that has shown it can score quickly and often behind quarterback Felix Harper and a strong running game led by Josiah King and Dominic Roberto.

If Iowa is unable to slow down the Freight early, the game could follow a similar pattern.

A Tough Road Test

The Barnstormers’ schedule has not been easy to start the season, facing strong teams in Quad City and Green Bay before traveling to Fishers.

Saturday presents another major challenge against a Freight team that is beginning to find its identity on both sides of the ball.

For Fishers, the focus will be on avoiding a letdown.

Winless teams can be dangerous, especially those still building chemistry and looking for a breakthrough performance. Iowa has shown just enough offensive potential to make it a threat if given opportunities.

The Bottom Line

On paper, this is a game the Freight are expected to win—and win comfortably.

But Iowa arrives as a team with improving quarterback play, new leadership, and little to lose.

For Fishers, continuing its rise in the league standings will require taking care of business at home.

The Indy Ignite are headed back to the postseason.

Indy rallied Thursday night to defeat the San Diego Mojo in five sets, 25-20, 19-25, 22-25, 25-19, 15-9, at Viejas Arena, improving to 17-4 and becoming the first team to clinch a spot in the 2026 Major League Volleyball Championship.

The victory did not come easily. After taking the opening set, the Ignite dropped the next two and found themselves in danger of letting a playoff-clinching opportunity slip away. Instead, Indy regrouped in the fourth set, then opened the decisive fifth set with a 6-0 run and closed out the match from there.

The playoff berth is the second straight for the Ignite franchise. According to the team’s official release, Indy is guaranteed to be one of the four teams advancing to the league championship event, scheduled for May 7 and 9 at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas.

Azhani Tealer led the Ignite attack with 22 kills, one shy of her season high. Kayla Lund added 14 kills and a season-high 26 digs, while setter Mia Tuaniga filled the stat sheet with 56 assists, 16 digs, six kills and two service aces in the fifth set. Libero Elena Scott matched her season best with 20 digs.

The Ignite had to dig deep into their roster to finish the match. Anna DeBeer was ruled out before first serve with a back injury, and Leketor Member-Meneh left during the third set after a collision with Tuaniga. That forced Indy to lean on its depth, and the reserves responded. Lydia Martyn, returning after missing four matches with a foot injury, contributed four kills and three blocks over the final two sets. Taylor Landfair added seven kills, five digs and a block, while Emoni Bush chipped in three kills and three digs.

San Diego made Indy work for every point. The Mojo, who entered the night on a three-match winning streak, totaled 17 blocks and were led by Grace Loberg’s 20 points. But the Ignite found another gear late, using their experience and depth to finish the comeback and secure the franchise’s latest milestone.

Indy remains in first place and now turns its attention to postseason seeding. The Ignite’s next match is Sunday at Fishers Event Center against the Atlanta Vibe, with first serve set for 3 p.m. ET.

A wide range of topics — from local classrooms to global concerns — are featured in this week’s Fridays with Larry podcast.

In the April 10 episode, I talk with Jamie Follis, a teacher at Hamilton Southeastern High School, about the growing interest in filmmaking among students. Follis has long been involved with the school’s student film club and now teaches a for-credit film class, giving students an opportunity to develop skills in storytelling and video production. He is also working on a new and different project planned for this summer and discusses how others in the community may be able to get involved.

You can help support this film project at this link.

The podcast also includes commentary on international developments, focusing on how the ongoing conflict involving Iran could affect Americans, based on analysis from a range of neutral experts.

Looking ahead to the world of sports, I raise concerns about the possibility of a Major League Baseball owner lockout ahead of the 2027 season and what that could mean for fans if labor tensions escalate.

The episode concludes with a lighter segment, featuring tips from experts on how your vehicle can serve as a place to relieve stress during a busy day.

Fridays With Larry is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

You can view the April 10 edition of Fridays with Larry using this link for the  video version,  or if you prefer just listening use this link.