1A Preview: #13-16

<p>We’ve covered our top returning All-State honorees for the state of Indiana, so why not talk about the top returning teams for 2020? Each of these articles will break down teams in groups of four and identify the MVR, or Most Valuable Returner. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the help I’m receiving---Zach McCrite, a fellow ref and longtime former high school coach, has his own method on his website, IndianaPrepVolleyball.com that you can check out. If you’re an Indiana high school volleydork like myself, it’s well worth it to check it out.</p> <p><strong>#16 Kouts, 17-10</strong></p> <p>When a Final Four team comes from your sectional (Morgan Township), it’s hard to get any notice. Kouts does have a pretty deep tradition in volleyball, and also has a boys team that plays at the club level in the state of Indiana. Graduating only a libero, Olivia Kropp, from their major statistical losses might make this young team better, but you still have Morgan Township to deal with. Good luck.</p> <p><strong>MVR: Makenzie Martin, ’21, 5-7, OH, Prep Dig NR</strong></p> <p>Tops in kills and near the top in digs, this six-rotation player will be the heart and soul of leading the Mustangs to another double-digit win season. Joining her will be four other rising seniors hoping to do the same.</p> <p><strong>#15 Hauser, 27-8</strong></p> <p>The Jets pump out athletic girls. I don’t know if it’s in the water in Hope, Indiana, or if they just "get it", but it seems that Hauser is always around the top 15 every year. These multi-sport athletes are absolute gym rats, and this coming season should be no different. Sectional winners again in 2019 and barely losing in five to Final Four team Bloomfield in the regional final, I expect Hauser to make another deep run in the playoffs.</p> <p><strong>MVR: Hannah Johnson, ’21, 5-10, MB/OH, Prep Dig NR</strong></p> <p>This dual sport stud in volleyball and basketball brings back nearly four kills per set while hitting over .300 for the season. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again---when everyone in the gym knows where the ball is going and you STILL find a way to score points, you’re doing something right. </p> <p><strong>#14 Lakewood Park Christian, 20-10</strong></p> <p>Losing in the regional semifinal to 1A #4 Pioneer is nothing to be disappointed in. However, the Panthers bring back almost everyone, and look to blast through a weaker-than-average sectional. </p> <p><strong>MVR: [player_tooltip player_id="95563" first="Haley" last="Kruse"], ’22, 5-7, OH/DS, Prep Dig #55</strong></p> <p>And it isn’t close. She bombs topspin jump serves, averaging over an ace per set. She’s in the four-kills-per-set area against an unprepared 1A opponent list. She led the team in kills, digs and aces. To top it all off, she’s the emotional leader for her high school AND her club teams (Empowered in 2020). Where Haley goes, so go the Panthers.</p> <p><strong>#13 Northfield, 21-7</strong></p> <p>Yet another team that ran into Pioneer, the #4 team in the state of Indiana in 1A in 2019, at the worst time. Bringing back almost everyone to the Norsemen (or is it Norsewomen?) is a bonus, but until they figure out Pioneer, they’re unfortunately a little stuck.</p> <p><strong>MVR: Addison Baker, ’21, 5-9, OH, Prep Dig NR</strong></p> <p>Over four kills per set and hitting near .300, this All-State honoree and Wabash County player of the year is the clear leader of the Norsemen. She’s also tops in aces and second in digs on the squad. </p>