Week Six Top Five In 1A

<p>The more things change---well, you know the rest. The top five teams in class 1A in Indiana stay the same, but with a little shuffling. Today’s article will also talk about the big kids making a difference on each squad. </p> <p><strong>#5: Springs Valley (16-2)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous Ranking: #5</strong></em></p> <p>Not much has changed for the Blackhawks since last week. They’re on a seven match win streak and haven’t lost since September 7. Without any losses to fellow 1A schools, a 2A matchup against top-five Tecumseh tonight should definitely test what they’re made of. Junior big <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145467" first="Alayna" last="Denbo"] (’23, 6-2 MB)</strong> has a size and athleticism combination that just doesn’t exist with a lot of these small schools. Her team-leading hitting percentage (.370) and adding nearly a block a set is key for a team looking to make a strong run in the postseason.</p> <p><strong>#4: Wes-Del (13-3)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous Ranking: #4</strong></em></p> <p>The same could be said about the Warriors. They have exactly zero losses to 1A schools and will test their schedule regularly playing teams much bigger than they. I like <strong>Ella Mauck’s (’24, 6-0 MB)</strong> size, and her Munciana training will do wonders for her down the road. She’s a key piece for this squad moving forward.</p> <p><strong>#3: Lafayette Central Catholic (12-5)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous Ranking: #2</strong></em></p> <p>A small slip up against 4A Guerin Catholic caused the Knights to drop a spot in this week’s poll. With a match against Clinton Prairie on Tuesday, plus a shot against 1A #2 Loogootee on Saturday, we’ll see exactly what LCC is made of. I’m a huge fan of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104212" first="Grace" last="Roach"] (’23, 6-1 MB/OH), </strong>who can do damage all over the court. Her 3+ kills per set while hitting north of .350 and blocking nearly a ball per set makes her the physical leader for this group.</p> <p><strong>#2: Loogootee (13-3)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous Ranking: #3</strong></em></p> <p>The Lions haven’t lost in September. At all. With their most recent loss to 1A #1 Trinity Lutheran, a match against a tough Southridge (13-8) roster tonight should either boost their confidence or expose their weaknesses going forward. I cannot stress enough the impact that <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101318" first="Kylie" last="VanHoy"] (’22, 5-10 S/MB)</strong> makes for this squad. Nearly four kills per set, hitting over .400 and leading in blocks are just a few of the many things she will be needed to provide the Lions in October. </p> <p><strong>#1: Trinity Lutheran (16-4)</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Previous Ranking: #1</strong></em></p> <p>With the Cougars’ last loss coming to 2A #2 Tecumseh, this run of eight straight wins keeps them in the conversation for a state title run that seems to have eluded them in recent years. A pleasant surprise this season for TL has to be <strong>Carson Bowling (’25, 6-0 MB).</strong> Her experience may not replace the college-level players they had last season, but her size more than makes up for it. Her average contribution of over three points per set in hitting and blocking are welcome in a time when they need it most. Carson just set a career-high of 13 kills this past week, and she’s getting stronger by the match.</p>