Early Returns From Top 3A Teams

<p>With two-ish weeks under our proverbial belts, we move on to how the top 3A teams in the Hoosier State have fared so far. There are plenty of teams that are new to our rankings, and some that are the old reliables. Here are four teams and their respective difference-makers.</p> <p><strong>#9: Wapahani (4-0)</strong></p> <p>Of the three 2A teams from the ’20 campaign that moved up to 3A, Wapahani has seen the most success thus far. With wins over county rivals Delta and 1A #7 Wes-Del, it doesn’t look like the Raiders will slow down anytime soon. A match against 4A #1 Yorktown on Tuesday should prove to be a challenge, though. The Raiders are led by juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="95740" first="Camryn" last="Wise"] (’23, 5-10 MB)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85905" first="Chloe" last="Cook"] (’23, 5-9 OH).</strong> Camryn is already the offensive force this early in the season, averaging over five kills per set and hitting north of .500 so far. She’s also tops in aces and blocks for Wapahani. All-State honoree Cook is averaging almost four kills per set while hitting .413 on this young season. </p> <p><strong>#8: Muncie Burris (11-1)</strong></p> <p>The Owls started the season 11-0 before running into 4A #8 Penn, but it’s not like the eleven wins were against cupcakes. In that run, they knocked off 3A #10 New Prairie, 2A #10 Alexandria-Monroe and 2019 state champ Heritage Christian, just to name a few. Two varsity regulars are pacing the Owls, most notably <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103403" first="Abigail" last="Kesler"] (’22, 5-11 MB).</strong> Her four kills per set and .338 hitting is always there and always consistent. She’s recently committed to Division II Lincoln Memorial. Fellow senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108259" first="Lauren" last="Nixon"] (’22, 5-10 S)</strong> is once again running the show for Burris, and recently announced her commitment to Ohio University. The pleasant surprise, at least for this author, is the appearance of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="155089" first="Lilly" last="Howell"] (’25, 6-2 MB), </strong>who adds much-needed size to Burris. Her two kills per set, .300 hitting and team lead in blocks is hard to do considering the heavy hitters named above.</p> <p><strong>#2 Brebeuf (10-1)</strong></p> <p>With their only loss to 4A Carmel, Brebeuf is well on their way to another state final run. They’ve already knocked off semi-state rival 3A #5 Silver Creek in four, and will be better when they probably face each other in October. There are so many Lady Braves to mention here, most notably led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85918" first="Sydney" last="Robinson"] (’23, 5-7 OH).</strong> Nearly four kills a set and hitting over .400 is next-level for a full-time pin hitter. The other pin? None other than <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85847" first="Maddie" last="Siegel"] (’22, 5-11 OH), </strong>whose two-and-a-half kills and .300 hitting is great to have if Sydney’s off. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110498" first="Lola" last="Schumacher"] (’24, 5-5 DS/L)</strong> is the definition of libero, as her over five digs per set and constant serve receive thorn for opponents never backs down from a defensive challenge. A pleasant surprise for the Braves has to be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152936" first="Lexi" last="Gin"] (’25, 5-6 DS/L), </strong>who would be the starting ’bro on most other squads. No matter....her three-rotation contributions have her second on the team in digs and is more than capable of splitting the court in serve receive with Lola. </p> <p><strong>#1: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (8-1)</strong></p> <p>Opening the season against 4A #8 Penn was tough. However, the Saints haven’t lost since, and are even better than their state championship run from a year ago. You can’t mention Dwenger without mentioning <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85813" first="Eva" last="Hudson"] (’22, 5-10 OH, Notre Dame commit), </strong>who is averaging an astonishing 6.4 kills per set and hitting nearly .500. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="115018" first="Kristin" last="Bobay"] (’22, 5-11 OH)</strong> is her partner in crime in serve receive, and is even better than last season with her three-and-a-half kills per set and hitting .300. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="155090" first="Lexa" last="Zimmerman"] (’23, 5-5 DS/L)</strong> anchors the defense quite well, as her nearly five digs per set indicate. Finally, the stud running this whole thing is none other than <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="115017" first="Emma" last="Lyons"] (’22, 5-7 DS/L), </strong>who is a Marian commit and can do anything her team needs in a pinch. This team has state title repeat written all over it.</p>