New 1A Top Five!

<p>We are into week four of Indiana’s high school season, and things are shuffling quickly in all classes. With the help of Zach McCrite and indianaprepvolleyball.com, here are the top five 1A schools this week and the players that led them.</p> <p><strong>#5: Lafayette Central Catholic (5-3)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous ranking: #5</strong></em></p> <p>Four straight wins, including one over defending state champ Pioneer, led the Knights to this spot. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104212" first="Grace" last="Roach"] (’23, 6-1 MB)</strong> continues to pound away at opposing blocks to the tune of three kills per set while hitting north of .300. Lafayette Jefferson looks to steal a win tonight, as you can throw out records in this matchup.</p> <p><strong>#4: Trinity Lutheran (9-4)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous ranking: NR</strong></em></p> <p>It was only a matter of time before the Cougars made their annual appearance on the top five in 1A. Tough early losses to 4A schools Providence, Seymour and Terre Haute South might have derailed most teams, but not TL. They schedule this tough every year, and it prepares them for a deep October run seemingly annually. Oldenburg Academy and BNL await this week, which aren’t exactly easy outs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104217" first="Bailey" last="Tabeling"] (’23, 5-9 OH/MB), </strong>a basketball stud, leads the Cougars with her physicality and aggression at nearly four kills per set while hitting near .350.</p> <p><strong>#3: Springs Valley (9-1)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous ranking: NR</strong></em></p> <p>Another noob to the top five is the school that Larry Bird came from. French Lick certainly has its basketball history, but is trying to make some volleyball history for the time being. A match against former defending 2A champ Barr-Reeve looms tonight, and should be a great litmus test for the Blackhawks moving forward. Junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145467" first="Alayna" last="Denbo"]</strong> paces SV with three kills per set while hitting north of .350.</p> <p><strong>#2: Loogootee (6-3)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous ranking: #1</strong></em></p> <p>Losses to Jasper and Terre Haute South are not bad losses for this 1A squad. However, a most recent loss to 1A #4 Trinity Lutheran will knock you from the top spot if you’re wanting to contend for a state title again. The Lions have a somewhat easier schedule this week, with none of the teams having a record over .500. Vincennes Rivet lurks as a matchup a week from today, which we’ll keep an eye on. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101318" first="Kylie" last="VanHoy"] (’22, 5-9 S/MB)</strong> is the do-everything player the Lions need to compete at that state championship level, and I’m wondering where they’d be without those six kills per set while hitting nearly .500.</p> <p><strong>#1: Wes-Del (9-1)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous ranking: NR</strong></em></p> <p>With wins over Blue River Valley and previous top-ten team Shenandoah under their belts, the Warriors’ only blemish is to 3A Wapahani. That being said, Wes-Del is one of many teams from Delaware County that call Munciana their training grounds, as their ball control is second to none in this class. Look for <strong>Tori Clements (’22, 5-7 OH/DS)</strong> to make a difference going forward.</p>