1A Rankings Update: The Cream Rises

<p>We are into the last two weeks of the high school regular season in Indiana, and all four of the classes are finalizing their lineups, excited for the sectional draw which comes on October 4. Coaches put the finishing touches on training. Senior players are either readying for their final season of volleyball or looking forward to club and college. Parents are happy to even HAVE a season considering the upheaval that has been 2020. With those things in mind, here are our choices for the top five in class 1A.</p> <p>A big thank you goes out to Zach McCrite for all of his work in helping us put together a top five. </p> <p><strong>#5: Pioneer, 18-3</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Last week: #2</strong></em></p> <p>The Panthers eked out a five-set thriller against unranked North Judson-San Pierre last week, followed by a pasting of 4-13 Winamac. That sent mixed messages to our hamster-driven rankings computer, and knocked Pioneer down a notch. With their next two matches against 16-6 Triton and 14-6 Frontier, their work is definitely cut out for them this week. Unsigned <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101316" first="Madison" last="Blickenstaff"] (’21, 6-0, OH/MB) </strong>averages three and a half kills per set for the Panthers.</p> <p><strong>#4: Springs Valley, 18-2</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Last week: #3</strong></em></p> <p>A tough straight-sets loss to 2A Tecumseh led to the slight slip in the rankings. No worries, though, as the Blackhawks got back on the winning track with a quick win over Shoals. The BIG match for SV is their home showdown against 1A #2 Loogootee tomorrow night. No other team should challenge them before the sectional. We’re still in awe of <strong>Leigh Carnes (’24, 5-7, OH), </strong>a Union-trained kid who can easily control a match.</p> <p><strong>#3: Northfield, 17-1</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Last week: NR</strong></em></p> <p>After a small hiatus, we welcome back the Norsemen to the rankings. Their loss to knock them from the undefeated ranks was to 4A Lake Central, which actually HELPED their strength of schedule. This is a potential twenty-win squad with aspirations to go far in the tournament. With Pioneer being their only challenge in the northern half of 1A, the possible playoff matchup between the two should be fun. Unsigned <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108839" first="Addie" last="Baker"] (’21, 5-11, OH)</strong> continues to lead the way for Northfield, averaging nearly five kills per set and hitting well over .400.</p> <p><strong>#2: Loogootee, 17-3</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Last week: #4</strong></em></p> <p>Losing to 2A #1 Barr-Reeve was a blessing in disguise; the loss helped the Lions’ strength of schedule, and their match tomorrow night against Springs Valley should decide if they stay in the top five for good. Mostly larger schools pepper the remainder of their schedule, and are great gauges for training for the sectional, and hopefully beyond. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101318" first="Kylie" last="VanHoy"] (’22, 5-10, S) </strong>leads the Lions in kills and blocks, and is second in assists. </p> <p><strong>#1: Trinity Lutheran, 23-3</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Last week: #1</strong></em></p> <p>Was there ever a doubt? The Cougars haven’t dropped a set since September 12, in a three-set tournament win over Evansville Mater Dei. Thirteen wins in a row for TL, with a 4A matchup against Center Grove tomorrow night. The Cougars seem destined to make it back to the state finals, playing everyone and anyone they can. Unsigned <strong>Kennedy Hoffman (’21, 5-11, OH)</strong> paces the Cougars with over four kills per set while hitting nearly .400.</p>