Way Too Early Preview; Indiana 3A
Continuing on our unbelievably early preview of the 2020 high school season in Indiana, we look at the second-largest class of schools in 3A. We’ll touch on the top four from last season and a possible dark horse candidate to…
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Continue ReadingContinuing on our unbelievably early preview of the 2020 high school season in Indiana, we look at the second-largest class of schools in 3A. We’ll touch on the top four from last season and a possible dark horse candidate to make a run, and each will have a prospect that should be on your radar.
Brownstown Central, 33-5
Finally—FINALLY—is the resounding cry for the Braves. They’ve been on the doorstep of the state title in multiple classes for so many years, I haven’t known a time when they HAVEN’T been competitive enough to be in the conversation. Their four-set victory over Bellmont marked the end of an outstanding career for four seniors, but their two best return. Setter Reagan Nuss Reagan Nuss 5'6" | S Brownstown Central | 2022 State IN (Cougar VBC, ’22, 5-6, S) has been running the show for two seasons now, and doesn’t look to ever relinquish the spot until after she graduates. Joining her on the 3A All-State team is Kendra McCory Kendra McCory 5'11" | MB Brownstown Central | 2021 State IN (Cougar VBC, ’21, 6-1, MB), the legitimate heart-and-soul type of player, finishing with 22 kills and 10 blocks in the title match.
Bellmont, 25-11
Unranked entering the playoffs, this resilient squad led by Craig Krull had its ups and downs, and stuck around for a string of epic wins to get this far for their five seniors, four of which had major contributions in the title match. Their clear leader, Sophie Krull (’21, 5-7, OH) finished her junior season with her best offensive match; 20 kills while hitting over .300 against the Braves. She also had 13 digs.
New Prairie, 29-8
Although they graduate four from this squad, none were even close to as effective as outside hitter Elise Swistek Elise Swistek 5'9" | OH New Prairie | 2021 State IN (Valparaiso commit) with 21 kills while hitting over .400 against Bellmont in the semi state. The future is bright, however, as super-frosh Haley Robinson (Dunes 16 Black, ’23, 5-10, OH) also contributed in that four-set loss with 11 kills of her own. The loss of their setter to graduation, however, might put the Cougars out of reach for another title run.
Evansville Reitz Memorial, 33-2
This senior-heavy squad had been mowing down opponents coming in to the semi state against eventual state champ Brownstown Central, not dropping a set for almost six weeks before their last loss. Their top returner, Margret Schulten (’21, 5-9, MB) is a solid track athlete who has a ton of upside. With all of those graduates, however, I don’t see Reitz making it back to the semi state.
Dark Horse: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, 28-5
Although the sectional final against Angola (coached by former US National Team Captain, Lloy Ball) could be considered a mild upset, Dwenger is synonymous with volleyball success, and had a rough gauntlet of teams to get through just to get that far. They were also up two sets before Angola pulled a reverse sweep on them. (I’d put Angola into this conversation, but with 11 seniors graduating, I just don’t know what they have coming back.) That being said, the Saints return Eva Hudson Eva Hudson 6'1" | OH Bishop Dwenger | 2022 State #110 Nation IN (Munciana 16 Ninjas, ’22, 5-10, OH) who had almost 400 kills, had 50 aces and hit over .400 for the season as a six-rotation outside her sophomore year.