1A State Final: Key Players

<p>We made it! The Hoosier State made it all the way through this trying year (almost) unscathed, and we’re now in sight of the finish line, the state championships inside Worthen Arena at Ball State University. With the first serve at 10:30am, Loogootee plays Pioneer for the right to be named state champion. Here’s a look at the key players and their roles.</p> <p><strong>Loogootee (31-5)</strong></p> <p>Avenging an earlier loss, the Lions upset then-#1 Trinity Lutheran in three and punched Hauser around in a sweep to make it this far. This is a battle-tested group, who have a mixture of seniors and juniors that have been their go-to’s. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101318" first="Kylie" last="VanHoy"] (’22, 5-10, S/OH) </strong>leads the squad in three different categories. Averaging four kills per set, nearly a block a set and hitting almost .400, Kylie also is second in assists and #4 in aces (57!). She’s tough, she’s fast, and is clearly the front-runner when it comes to "key players". She’s joined by a familiar face, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101317" first="Makenzie" last="VanHoy"] (’21, 5-8, OH/S), </strong>who is #2 in kills (2.4/set), #2 in aces and #1 in assists. With these two running a modified 6-2, they can’t get the job done without passers to get them the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="106451" first="Jocelyn" last="Strange"] (’22, 5-1, DS) </strong>has done the lion’s share (pun intended) of the serve receiving, leading the way with over four digs per set. She’s accompanied in the back row by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101312" first="Asia" last="Crim"] (’21, 5-5, DS), </strong>who could just as easily wear the special jersey as her teammate, and averages over three digs per set. </p> <p><strong>Pioneer (29-3)</strong></p> <p>Another junior-senior combination in this match, albeit with less players involved, the Panthers smacked around top 5 part timer Kouts and defending 1A state champ Cowan to get here. Injuries, like most teams, caused Pioneer to make midseason adjustments, but they never missed a beat. They haven’t lost since a straight sets loss in the championship match of the Harrison Classic back on September 12, a stretch of thirteen in a row, and that was to last year’s 2A state champion Heritage Christian. Far and away, the two that have led the Panthers are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101316" first="Madison" last="Blickenstaff"] (’21, 5-11, OH/MB)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108605" first="Hailey" last="Cripe"] (’22, 5-6, RS). </strong>Madison is averaging almost four kills per set, and can (and will) hit from multiple spots along the front row. Hailey should not be taken lightly because of her size; she’s at over three kills per set as well, and can take the second ball as needed.</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction: Loogootee in four sets</strong></em></p> <p>The Lions just have too many club kids that have played in too many high-leverage situations. Although Pioneer’s size is something to deal with, Loogootee serves too tough and has played a rough schedule to prepare them for this match. </p>