3A Too-Soon Preview: Part 1
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Halfway through our too-soon previews, we look at class 3A. With all of the moving from class to class because of the Tournament Success Factor employed by the IHSAA, this seems to be the most wide open race for a…
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Continue ReadingHalfway through our too-soon previews, we look at class 3A. With all of the moving from class to class because of the Tournament Success Factor employed by the IHSAA, this seems to be the most wide open race for a state title. There are a few title contenders sprinkled among the bunch in this series, but your guess is as good as mine for naming the last team standing on the first Saturday in November.
BELLMONT
Why not start with the team that barely lost the 3A title last year in five grueling sets to now-4A Brebeuf? The Braves are in perennial reload mode, and this fall will be no different. Gone are attackers Meg Saalfrank, Avery Ball, and Katelyn Rumschlag, who bring their size, skill and 6+ kps/.300+ hitting with them. No problem, as this will be a prime opportunity for rising juniors Delaney Lawson Delaney Lawson 6'2" | OH Bellmont | 2024 State IN (’24, 6-1 OH) and Jackie Sutter Jackie Sutter 5'10" | OH Bellmont | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-10 RS/OH) to bomb away from the pins. Also returning for the Braves is setter Lauren Ross Lauren Ross 5'9" | S Bellmont | 2023 State IN (’23, 5-9 S), who is beyond skilled enough to find the next wave of attackers. The biggest concern for me, and any team competing for a state title, is where the first contact might come from. When you graduate six regulars, they need to come from somewhere.
WEST LAFAYETTE
Caught up in the mix of how much talent resides in the northern half of the state, the Red Devils look to avenge their semi state loss to Bellmont. Their only graduation loss is a big one; Tori Woods (6+ kps/.400+, Texas Women’s University signee). What’s intriguing to me is what’s coming back. Rachel Williams Rachel Williams 5'7" | OH West Lafayette | 2023 State IN (’23, 5-7 OH) should become the primary attacker in the fall, bringing four kills per set with her. Lost in the shuffle last season was Taylor Woods Taylor Woods 5'11" | OH West Lafayette | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-11 OH) who is already attacking near ten feet and should never come out as a go-to option. Annie Karlaftis (’23, MB) should bring some much-needed size this fall, and her length and basketball background will do wonders against bigger squads. The libero jersey is Brinley Melchi’s (’24, DS/L) to lose, and she should be leaned upon both defensively and in serve receive with the elder Woods graduated. Will Saffron Horton (’24, S) be the 5-1 setter the Red Devils need? Only time and experience will tell. Fun fact: WL had three total losses last fall, and only one was to a 3A squad—the Bellmont squad listed above. The other two were to 4A state champ McCutcheon and 4A Zionsville.