Top Five Teams In 3A This Week

Photo: Prep Dig, Josiah

Kyp Harasymowycz September 3, 2021 @ 10:13 AM

This week’s new team rankings, courtesy of Zach McCrite and indianaprepvolleyball.com, have familiar faces and mascots. Even though it is early on in our season, we still have old stand-bys that are always around in October. Today’s list of five is a combined 50-3 on the season, with no letting up in sight. #5: Benton Central (8-0) With wins over perennial volleyball schools 4A Lafayette Harrison, 1A #5 Lafayette Central Catholic and Frontier, the Bison have established themselves, yet again, as a force to be reckoned with in 3A. Leading the charge is super sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="110506" first="Sienna" last="Foster"] (’24, 5-10 OH), whose ball control is so good that she played in USA Beach Nationals earlier this year, and has a national championship indoor trophy in her case as well. She’s a well-rounded, ball-control based outside who is just as effective indoor and out. #4: Brebeuf (12-1) Last year’s state runner-up is not slowing down anytime soon. With their only loss coming to 4A Carmel, and owning wins over Evansville Memorial, 2A #5 Covenant Christian, 4A Franklin Community, 4A Providence and Silver Creek, an impressive schedule resume isn’t the only thing powering the Braves. [player_tooltip player_id="85918" first="Sydney" last="Robinson"] (’23, 5-7 OH) is a high-flying left side who can take over a match at will. Libero [player_tooltip player_id="110498" first="Lola" last="Schumacher"] (’24, 5-5 DS/L) is probably the best DS in the class of ’24. Between those two, a state title can’t be far ahead. #3: Greensburg (9-0) Once again, the Pirates are in the conversation for having an undefeated season, but this time, there are high-level club kids and size leading the way. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="85922" first="Josie" last="Nobbe"] (’23, 6-0 OH) is already jumping past ten feet and is a primary passer for this squad. Fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id="106295" first="Ella" last="Chapman"] (’23, 6-4 MB) is an absolute brick wall at the net and goes over everyone she can’t go around. #2: Muncie Burris (12-1) They lost to 4A #1 Penn. That’s it. There are so many talented kids on this roster that you can pick your favorite position. [player_tooltip player_id="103403" first="Abigail" last="Kesler"] (’22, 5-11 MB, committed to Lincoln Memorial) is playing on the pins due to the Owls’ size in the middle. Setter [player_tooltip player_id="108259" first="Lauren" last="Nixon"] (’22, 5-10 S, committed to Ohio) has been running the show since forever ago. [player_tooltip player_id="155089" first="Lilly" last="Howell"] (’25, 6-2 MB) and [player_tooltip player_id="102361" first="Paige" last="Powers"] (’22, 6-1 MB) anchor the middle and bring their Munciana training and IQ with them. This is a team that will make noise come October, and they’re only going to get better. #1: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (9-1) Another team with their only loss to 4A #1 Penn, the Saints have a ton of talent and are riding a nine match win streak. Notre Dame commit [player_tooltip player_id="85813" first="Eva" last="Hudson"] (’22, 5-10 OH) does everything for the squad, averaging north of six kills per set and hitting over .450 in the process. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id="115018" first="Kristin" last="Bobay"] (’22, 6-0 OH) was the x-factor to their state title run last fall and will be that factor again. 2019 NAIA Champ Marian got a gem in [player_tooltip player_id="115017" first="Emma" last="Lyons"] (’22, 5-7 DS/L, S), who is setting this squad, but can easily wear the special jersey too. [player_tooltip player_id="155090" first="Lexa" last="Zimmerman"] (’23, 5-5 DS/L) is a stud in her own right, and should be the ’bro both this year and next. Unless one of the previous four teams challenge the Saints, this year looks to be a repeat of last.