1A Semi-State Teams And Players That Have Earned More Attention

<p>For our final article in this series, we discuss the teams and players in the 1A semi-state this Saturday. All four teams have scheduled tough, so finding an accomplished player or two shouldn’t be that difficult. What might be more difficult is <em>which </em>players to emphasize.</p> <p><strong>Kouts (27-7)</strong></p> <p>The Mustangs, from WAY up north, come into this match riding a seven match win streak, most recently against Southwood (29-6) in the regional final. That’s a heck of an accomplishment, since we didn’t even have Kouts on our radar back in August. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85842" first="Sophia" last="Foster"] (’22, 5-6 OH/DS)</strong> is their go-to, responsible for nearly half (22 of 45) of the Mustang’s kills in that match. She passes most of the court in serve receive, is smart with the ball, and can be anything from a six-rotation passer to a libero at the next level. Her consistent 20-20 (k-d) performances will have her stand out from the first whistle. </p> <p><strong>Lafayette Central Catholic (25-9)</strong></p> <p>After their 2020 postseason was lost due to COVID, it is only fitting that the Knights came back with a vengeance. Surviving Covington (19-10) in the first round seemed to be the only push they needed to sweep the remainder of their opponents coming into Saturday’s semi-state. The one-two punch of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104212" first="Grace" last="Roach"] (’23, 6-1 MB/OH) </strong>and <strong>Kassidy Boener (’22, 5-7 OH/DS)</strong> has been the consistent formula for the Knights’ success this fall. One or the other will be in double digit kills on Saturday. If both are, LCC has already won.</p> <p><strong>Bloomfield (20-11)</strong></p> <p>The Cardinals have a one-two punch of their own, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118193" first="Gracie" last="Lowry"] (’22, 5-10 OH/MB)</strong> and <strong>Rylee Schantz (’22, 5-7 OH)</strong> both notched 20 kills in their only tough match this postseason, a come-from-behind five-set win over Waldron in the regional semifinal last Saturday. Although both list themselves as basketball players, I can see these two making a difference at the small school level when college rolls around. </p> <p><strong>Trinity Lutheran (29-4)</strong></p> <p>Without a doubt, the Cougars have been at the top of almost every 1A list I’ve published. They always seem to play with a sense of focus and purpose, despite a lot of other programs around Indiana. The winning comes from the top, and every player that walks through TL’s doors understands the responsibility. None of their four losses were to 1A teams---three of them were against 4A squads. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93748" first="Kamzi" last="Gross"] (’22, 5-5 DS/L) </strong>is the anchor in serve receive, and I don’t think there’s been a match where she hasn’t led the team in digs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104217" first="Bailey" last="Tabeling"] (’23, 5-9 MB/OH)</strong> led the Cougars in kills against Springs Valley in the regional final from the middle position, and <strong>Ruthie Bingham (’22, 5-7 RS)</strong> provides more power in such a compact frame than anyone else in the 1A semi-state. </p>