2A Early Results: Who Stands Out?

<p>With a couple of weeks under our belts here in the Hoosier State, a few teams have separated themselves from the pack in 2A. Unlike the 1A report yesterday, all five of the teams listed here were listed in our top ten in the preseason rankings.</p> <p>I would be remiss if I omitted my help in this endeavor. Zach McCrite, main administrator of the website IndianaPrepVolleyball.com, has given me a ton of good information about these teams and their rankings in this article. If you’re at all interested in high school volleyball in Indiana, go check his site out.</p> <p><strong>#5: Tecumseh, 5-0</strong></p> <p>Our preseason #9 comes up in the #5 spot in the early part of this season. Although not confirmed, their tough four-set loss to 3A Evansville Reitz might get them out of this top five come next week. For now, we keep them here, more for the fact that entering last night, they’ve only dropped one set. A balanced Brave attack, led by All-State honoree <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="95626" first="Kaybree" last="Oxley"] (’22, 5-10, MB), </strong>will allow this team to be successful come tournament time.</p> <p><strong>#4: Andrean, 6-1</strong></p> <p>A tough, five-set loss to Lake Central is keeping the Fighting 59ers from a perfect record thus far this season. This super-young squad features exactly ZERO seniors, and will be a force in 2A this year and for years to come. Our preseason #4 stays at #4, and is directed by setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103331" first="Maddie" last="Kmetz"] (’22, 5-7, S), </strong>who’s been running the offense since her freshman year.</p> <p><strong>#3: Barr-Reeve, 7-2</strong></p> <p>Our preseason #1 comes in at #3 in our first true ranking, With their only losses coming to 3A Silver Creek and 3A Evansville Reitz, the latter in five last night. With stud outside/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85713" first="Anna" last="Ballengee"]</strong> leading the way (Southern Indiana commit), this senior-heavy squad will have to lean on most of them to get back to the state semifinal and beyond. We think the x-factor in their season will come from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101225" first="Hannah" last="Graber"] (’21, 5-10, S). </strong>Averaging over 10 assists per set in the early going, we’re hoping her absence is temporary.</p> <p><strong>#2: Heritage Christian, 8-0</strong></p> <p>The defending state champs and our preseason #2 have stayed at #2, for now. With wins over 4A Franklin Central, Mount Vernon, and Decatur Central and a straight-sets win over 3A Brebeuf, the loss of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85828" first="Lovie" last="Wallace"] (’22, 6-0, MB)</strong> in a transfer to Hamilton Southeastern hasn’t seemed to faze the Eagles in the least. Their toughest upcoming match might be September 28 against 4A Roncalli for, possibly, the conference crown. Led by Purdue commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85670" first="Raven" last="Colvin"] (’21, 6-0, MB) </strong>and Arkansas State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85706" first="Elizabeth" last="Phillips"] (’21, 5-10, OH), </strong>we highlight the importance of getting their hammers the ball. Insert <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101226" first="Lilly" last="Snyder"] (’21, 5-9, S), </strong>whose nearly ten assists per set will dictate if the Eagles can repeat in November.</p> <p><strong>#1: Wapahani, 5-1</strong></p> <p>The Raiders, smack dab in the middle of Munciana territory, suffered their first loss of the season to 4A powerhouse Yorktown last night. Our preseason #3 is looking to avenge last year’s loss to Heritage Christian in the state final, and the only way to get there is to play the best of the best. There are so many that can be mentioned here in the "physical leader" category, and with only one senior, you can see why. This well-balanced offense is led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85905" first="Chloe" last="Cook"] (’23, 5-9, OH), </strong>but she’ll need a little help from those around her to put balls away, as this is a very height-challenged squad.</p>