She grew up with 7 siblings in Fort Wayne. How this volleyball star became 'a pure friend'

FORT WAYNE — Three canvases hang on the wall just above Steve and Sarah Cresse’s tall frame as the two sit on the brown micro fiber couch inside their Fort Wayne home.

The 24-by-30 fall-themed photo of the married couple and their children dominates the space, while two miniature family portraits rest adjacent.

There are eight children in the picture.

Steve and Sarah begin to describe each one in order, now seated in a gray armchair inside their living room with the 8-year-old family portrait and a framed No. 13 Louisville volleyball jersey in view.

Caitlyn, 29, is driven. Stephen, 27, and the only boy, is passionate. Steady comes to mind for Steve and Sarah when they ponder Lauren, 26.

Then there’s a four-year gap to their next child, Cara, to whom the Cardinals jersey belongs.

Consumed by their daughter’s journey, Steve and Sarah don’t immediately mention the other children.

Steve labels Cara loving. Sarah views her as perseverant. Both have proven true. Stephen summed up his parents' words in one: “compassionate.”

Cara has become many things to many people over time: middle blocker for the Indy Ignite, sister to seven, pianist to her younger self, critic to her college self, volleyball player to most.

But even volleyball was once an option that needed to be weighed. What remained constant through Cara's journey to becoming the fifth pick in the 2025 Major League Volleyball draft was her compassion. Something she learned from her parents, and which her childhood experiences molded. The trait captures the essence of Cara more than her sport.

When she struggled to have it on herself, she mustered up enough to give to others. When the elder Cresse children needed a shoulder, they leaned on their younger sister.

It was her compassion that made the decision to play volleyball a challenge. It is Cara’s compassion that made Indy’s decision to draft her a wise one.

Eight children in a 2,200 square foot house

Cara and her seven siblings grew up in a 2,200-square-foot home with one shared bathroom. The house was never quiet. “Chaotic, but a good chaotic,” as Lauren described.

Their leisure time consisted of playing House, mimicking vets with stuffed animals, or a 5-year-old Cara forgetting her lines as Princess Leia during the family’s Star Wars reenactments.

Unlike her older siblings, Cara was the peacemaker and organized child, keeping her pencils color-coded and her sections of the room clean.

But she also struggled to find her place among Caitlyn, Lauren and Stephen. Cara, the unofficial “middle child,” looked up to her older siblings.

In natural fashion, the three oldest played the age card and, at times, said Cara was too young to hang with them. If Cara did something wrong, she snitched on herself ahead of time before her siblings did the honor.

“She thought she was protecting herself with that,” Stephen joked. “She turned out pretty good for having to deal with the minor bullying.”

Family photos of Cara Cresse sit Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at her childhood home in Fort Wayne. Cresse was drafted to Indy Ignite in November.

Caitlyn was the first to play volleyball for the local club, the Fort Wayne Falcons. She started in fifth grade. The sport was one of the few options available for the Cresse children since they were homeschooled. Lauren took a liking to volleyball and played later in college. Then came 9-year-old Cara.

“I obviously wanted to be like them,” Cara admitted.

Caitlyn takes credit for Cara’s success.

“I walked so she could run,” Caitlyn joked. “But she was gonna run either way, so it doesn't matter what I would have done.”

At first, volleyball was just a hobby for Cara. Theater and playing the piano accounted for most of her time. Music was her career trajectory. Until the growth spurt.

Cara entered freshman year of high school at 6 feet, which drew the attention of Empowered Volleyball Club owner William Robbins. Cara played for the Fort Wayne-based club for the entirety of high school.

Cara joined Blackhawk Christian in 10th grade since the pathway to college was more straightforward through traditional schooling. But Cara said the homeschool experience gave her the determination to “prove people wrong.”

She did.

Colleges began scouting Cara during her sophomore year, often to her surprise. Offer letters occupied the Cresse mailbox. Cara’s national ranking started to rise. With the notoriety and increased passion for volleyball came pressure to make a decision.

Music or athletics?

‘I want to play at the highest level’

Steve said it was a “tough time” for Cara as she tried to pick between her two passions. Cara began taking formal piano lessons at the age of 8 under the tutelage of music teacher Marilee Morton. For the next seven years, as Cara’s skills increased, Morton’s belief in her potential did the same.

“She had a lot of dreams for Cara,” Sarah said. “To tell her piano teacher she wasn’t going to continue was really hard.”

Cara also didn’t want to disappoint her parents, who studied music in college. But Steve and Sarah were adamant. Cara was supported and loved no matter her decision.

“We had that conversation and she said, ‘I want to play at the highest level I possibly can,’ Steve recalled. “And we said, ‘Then go.’”

Cara’s growth spurt opened the door for volleyball. But it caused insecurity.

Schoolmates stared at Cara. It was a challenge to find clothes and size 12 shoes for a 6-6 high school junior. A teenage Cara cried at times as she adjusted to her new normal.

Cara drew confidence from her Christian faith, as her parents reminded her that God made her tall for a reason and encouraged her to pursue her life's purpose.

Cara Cresse’s school awards sit Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at her childhood home in Fort Wayne. Cresse was drafted to Indy Ignite in November.

Cara embraced her height by the time she arrived at Louisville’s campus. She redshirted her freshman year, and now Cara had to learn how to embrace her new role.

“When I first got to college, I remember one of the biggest things that I would work on wasn't a volleyball-based skill, it was more having grace for myself,” Cara said. “And I feel like with that grace came a confidence that I didn't have.”

As she waited for a chance, Cara recognized her value went beyond what she offered on the court.

“She had to wait for her spot. Through that, she learned to become grateful for being that cheering teammate, that person who was able to be an encouragement,” Sarah said. “She found other aspects of herself as a person that she could give and not just as the person on the court, but as a teammate who can be supportive.”

When Cara earned her spot, it didn’t go to waste. Cara blossomed during the 2023 season, registering 111 total blocks. She was at full bloom in her final two years. Cara’s 1.5 blocks per game in 2024, then the seventh-best tally in the nation, helped lead Louisville to its third Final Four appearance in four years.

The Ignite began scouting Cara during her junior season. By senior year, now a team captain, Cara established her case as a top 10 draft pick.

Louisville staff members began to see Cara play with a new level of joy during her final season. The young woman who once held a tense expression after a bad play was able to seamlessly move on to the next. Little girls lined up to get Cara’s autograph after games. Fans handed Steve and Sarah their phone to take pictures.

“Suddenly it went from, ‘That’s Steve's daughter, Cara,’ to ‘That’s Cara's dad, Steve,” he said.

Indy Ignite middle blocker Cara Cresse (13) poses for a photo Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at Fishers Event Center in Fishers.

Teammates approached Steve and Sarah with tears on senior night, overwhelmed by the impact of Cara’s friendship. Ignite libero Elena Scott roomed with Cara at Louisville and praised her for “always listening.”

“She's a great teammate because she has experienced growing up with seven siblings. You learn very quickly that the world doesn't completely revolve around you,” Sarah said. “You're part of it, and you're an important part of it, but you have to step in and move along with everyone else.

“It developed a selflessness in her and an ability for her to get along with people.”

Cara embodies the example her parents set.

“They don't see anyone a certain way. Everyone's welcome in our home,” Cara said. “That's so important wherever you go. They really are compassionate and such kind people.”

Cara said she hopes to make Indiana “feel like home” for her foreign teammates, such as Canadian outsider hitter Emoni Bush.

Cara has reflected often since returning to her native state, a privilege she called “really awesome.” She thinks back to the homeschool days when she had to motivate herself to improve at volleyball. And the club tournaments in Indianapolis.

But the memorable childhood moments also come to mind.

Cara returns home

These are the quietest of days inside the Cresse household. Elianna (17), Bryna (15) and Gwyneth (12) remain. Abbie, 19, plays volleyball at Dayton.

But one more daughter will be back home more frequently, playing La La Land soundtracks and classical pieces on her piano. Like days of old.

“When I get the chance, I’ll go back home,” Cara said. “I don’t want to miss out on my younger sisters growing up.”

Cara’s parents and siblings described Cara’s return to Indiana as “exciting.”

The family dynamic is different. Cara tried to find her place among her older sisters and brother during her childhood. Now, at 22, her role is solidified.

Stephen flocked to Cara when he was concerned about whether he'd be able to acclimate to his wife’s family, given the Cresse’s tight-knit bond. When Lauren moved back home, Cara “never made her feel like I was taking up her space,” she said.

Caitlyn, the self-proclaimed challenger of the group, rebuked Christianity in college. Cara never judged her sister, but was “constantly compassionate on the journey of walking alongside me,” Caitlyn said. Cara was one of the first people Caitlyn spoke with when she decided to return to the faith.

“I get emotional just thinking about us sitting on my front porch crying together,” Caitlyn said. “She never agreed when I was rebelling, but made it known we can still break bread. She was always that person I felt safe talking to and it’s still true.”

“She has a compassion for people,” Stephen added. “She may disagree or agree with you, but she's gonna love you in it, and she's gonna bear burdens with people.”

The sister who had to endure “minor bullying” has now become their fortress.

“She’s not just my dear sister, she’s one of my closest friends,” Caitlyn said.

Cresse siblings (left to right): Caitlyn, Stephen, Lauren, Cara, Abigail, Eliana, Bryna, Gwyneth

The Ignite drafted Cara, the volleyball player. As the years progress and teammates go and come, they’ll realize she’s much more.

Halfway through their one-hour conversation, Sarah is reminded of Caitlyn's daughter Phoebe. The 1-year-old yells “Rara” when she FaceTimes aunt Cara or watches sports on TV.

Phoebe’s love for Cara came to Sarah’s thoughts seconds after she revealed the meaning of Cara’s name in Irish:

“Friend.”

A perfect fit.

“It's neat to see her living up to that,” Sarah said with a wide smile. “She’s a pure friend.”

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy Ignite volleyball roster: Cara Cresse siblings, piano, Louisville career