Top Five 4A Teams Entering Week Six

<p>We wrap up our week six coverage of the top five teams in Indiana in 4A, and are not surprised by the results. These five teams have clearly separated themselves from the pack, but no one team has been the true "for sure" anchor of volleyball mastery. Here are our top five, courtesy of Zach McCrite and indianaprepvolleyball.com, and the big kids that have helped them get there.</p> <p><strong>#5: Roncalli (18-3)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous Ranking: #5</strong></em></p> <p>Staying in the #5 spot are the first of two sets of Royals on this ranking. A loss to 3A #2 Brebeuf last week all but awards the Braves with the Circle City Conference title, but that didn’t stop Roncalli’s winning ways. Picking up a rivalry win against Perry Meridian this week, the rest of their schedule is manageable, and should be on another win streak entering the sectional. Of the bigs on this squad, I’m a fan of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85851" first="Sarah" last="Lezon"] (’22, 5-11 MB), </strong>whose physicality brings nearly three kills per set at a .387 clip to the court, along with her team lead in blocks.</p> <p><strong>#4: Munster (20-3)</strong></p> <p><b><i>Previous Ranking: #4</i></b></p> <p>No sense in changing this ranking either. With the Mustangs’ last loss to Yorktown on August 28, they’ve run off twelve straight wins. Getting out of their sectional should be a reasonable task, so let’s hope they get a favorable draw and stay healthy. <strong>Sydney Lash (’22, 5-10 MB)</strong> is the underrated middle on this squad. With an offense based around their pin attackers, it helps having a kid that can slow balls down and make it easier to get the ball to them.</p> <p><strong>#3: Yorktown (16-3)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous Ranking: #2</strong></em></p> <p>With two straight five-set losses to 4A powers Brownsburg and Hamilton Southeastern, one could argue age and experience might be the culprit. Those Tigers, however, beg to differ. Running off five straight sweeps since then is proof that they’re just fine, thankyouverymuch. A match at Cathedral tonight should keep that streak alive, and under appreciated <strong>Gretchen Moore (’23, 5-8 MB)</strong> should help keep it that way. More of a basketball kid, Miss Moore leads the Tigers in blocks.</p> <p><strong>#2: Hamilton Southeastern (13-2)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous Ranking: #3</strong></em></p> <p>I like teams that are relentless, regardless of the score. Yes, there will be minor errors, but the teams that know how to keep piling it on are the ones that last through October. Case-in-point, Yorktown. This year, however, might be HSE’s year, riding a 13-match win streak after two losses to start. With Wapahani on the schedule next Monday, the Royals will find out how ready they are for the postseason. Heritage Christian transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85828" first="Lovie" last="Wallace"] (’22, 6-0 MB)</strong> has definitely bought in to HSE’s methods, and is a strong and big presence both offensively and defensively for the blue and white. In addition to leading the Royals in blocks, she brings nearly three kills per set and .400 hitting to every match. </p> <p><strong>#1: Penn (22-0)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous Ranking: #1</strong></em></p> <p>Someone asked me the other day, "What has Penn done that keeps them at #1?" Well, wins over 3A defending champ Dwenger, 3A power Muncie Burris, and 4A powers Brownsburg, Fishers, Munster and McCutcheon should start the conversation. Oh yeah, and they haven’t lost yet. That might be important. Another match against Munster to end the Kingsmen’s regular season will be a good gauge to their level of success this fall, and beyond. Speaking of under appreciated middles, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="125441" first="Janet" last="Moala"] (’22, 5-7 MB)</strong> has been overlooked for too long. With the team lead in blocks, this hyper-athletic kid has comparable numbers to Miss Wallace listed above, but without the pin help. We’ll see what October brings. Should be fun to watch.</p>