Top Five 3A Teams This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're halfway through our first set of weekly top fives, with this edition touching on the 3A class in Indiana. Here are five teams that made their marks early this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#5: NorthWood (5-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although the schedule isn't as thick as other teams on this list, the Panthers still own impressive wins over Fort Wayne Bishop Luers and defending 2A champion Andrean. They also took a set off of 4A powerhouse Penn, who should compete past the regional in October. Leading the way for the Panthers statistically is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192110' first='Claire' last='Payne'] ('25, 6-1 MB), </strong>who brings it with size and strength. Her attack line of 3+kps/.400+ is the envy of most middles. Pin attackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='161657' first='Sophia' last='Barber'] ('25, 5-9 OH/RS)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210181' first='Karis' last='Bennett'] ('24, 5-9 OH/RS)</strong> combine for over 5 kills per set, with Sophia being lethal behind the service line. Those three are the engine that makes this program go, and it doesn't look like they're going away anytime soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#4: Greensburg (11-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another August, another undefeated start. It seems the Pirates for the last few years always have an amazing start to every volleyball season, and this year might be their best start yet. Led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='106295' first='Ella' last='Chapman'] ('23, 6-4 MB, Florida Gulf Coast commit), </strong>the size on this roster is relentless. Ella shows out as a 4+kps/.300+ attacker that leads the squad in blocks as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85922' first='Josie' last='Nobbe'] ('23, 6-0 OH)</strong> is another impressive big that hammers from the pin and has equally impressive numbers: 3+kps/.300+, while leading the team in aces and digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#3: Crawfordsville (8-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Athenians are a group of small-town athletes at a larger-than-average school. This particular roster is riddled with multi-sport studs, and this particular group is led by Circle-trained attacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85912' first='Macy' last='Bruton'] ('23, 5-10 OH/DS). </strong>Her 6+kps/.400+ is legit---she's used primarily as a three-rotation DS at Circle, so her shoulder is definitely well-rested going into her final fall in high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#2: Frankton (10-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So many impressive records on this group of five, with the Eagles having key early wins over 1A #3 Cambridge City Lincoln and handing Southwood their only loss of the season thus far. Two juniors lead the way for the Eagles, starting with <strong>Holli Kleittheimer ('24, 5-10 MB/OH)</strong> and her 3+kps/.400+ attack line. <strong>Emma Sperry ('24, 6-0 RS/S)</strong> looks to be the big pin attacker so many colleges covet at the next level; a right side that can step in and set in a pinch. She provides a ton offensively (2.5 kps/.400+), defensively (leads team in digs) and from behind the baseline (leads team in aces). Oh, and did I mention she's one of the two setters in the 6-2 they run?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#1: Western Boone (8-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knocking off 2A #5 Park Tudor last night was huge for the Stars' confidence moving forward. WeBo is the early favorite for representing the northern half of Indiana in the state championships in November. Getting back there will rely on a familiar cast of characters. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154814' first='Raegan' last='Durbin'] ('25, 5-10 OH)</strong> is a brilliant physical and emotional leader for the Stars, leading the squad in kills, hitting percentage, aces and digs. Her supporting cast includes <strong>Audrey Dunn ('23, 5-8 OH)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85891' first='Kennedy' last='Kiger'] ('23, 5-10 RS), </strong>who combine for another five kills per set and over .250 in hitting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->