Top Five 1A Teams This Week: The Wonder Twins
In this article:
I’m old. My cartoons are old. The Wonder Twins, despite their differences, found ways to combine their forces (fire and ice, respectively) to battle foes and win in the end. Today’s edition features the teams with their own version of…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingI’m old. My cartoons are old. The Wonder Twins, despite their differences, found ways to combine their forces (fire and ice, respectively) to battle foes and win in the end. Today’s edition features the teams with their own version of a one-two punch.
#5: Kouts (17-3, NR last week)
Welcome back to the top five, Fillies! It is no surprise to this author that any team with a hint of size will succeed during their season, and the ladies at Kouts have two that fit the bill. Lauryn Koedyker (’23, 6-0 MB) and Ally Capouch (’23, 5-11 MB) are a pair of seniors that lead by example, and have improved their stats steadily as the season has continued. They combine for over five kills per set and a block per set. Any time you can get three points each from your middles per set, you’re in good shape.
#4: Trinity Lutheran (12-5, #4 last week)
Holding steady at #4 are the Cougars from Seymour. These ladies see your bigs, Kouts, and raise you two more. Bailey Tabeling (’23, 5-10 MB/OH) and Carson Bowling Carson Bowling 6'0" | MB Trinity Lutheran | 2025 State IN (’25, 6-1 MB) are smart, fast and athletic players that are the entirety of the Cougar’s offense. They get together to produce 8+ kills per set, while hitting north of .300 and are the first- and second-best blockers on the roster.
#3: Springs Valley (13-3, #2 last week)
To be fair, here are the Blackhawks’ losses: 3A Providence, 4A Castle, 3A Barr-Reeve. No other team can boast as tough of a schedule as Springs Valley, and those three are teams that have appeared in a state championship match sometime in the last three seasons. Not bad for the ladies from French Lick. The Carnes kids are responsible for most of the damage done to opponents. Leigh Carnes Leigh Carnes 5'8" | OH Springs Valley | 2024 State IN and Maddie Carnes Maddie Carnes 5'11" | S Springs Valley | 2026 State IN are the primary attackers and setters for this squad, combining for the following stat line: 6+k/.280/1.5 aces/4.5 digs/10+ assists. That’s per set, by the way, and the numbers are improving.
#2: Tecumseh (16-2, #1 last week)
There’s no doubt that Braves fans are going to be upset by pulling them off of the #1 line this week. They haven’t done anything to be dropped, and a pair of juniors continue to prove that fact. Jenna Donohoo (’24, 5-10 Pin) and Payge Johnson Payge Johnson 5'8" | OH Tecumseh | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-8 S/OH) do all the work for this group, with a stat line of 5+k/.250+/2 aces/5 digs per set. With the toughest parts of their schedule behind them, these two will be charged with the leadership of keeping this roster focused for a long postseason run.
#1: South Newton (18-0, #3 last week)
I couldn’t resist. The Rebels have dropped exactly one set all season, and that was to 4A power Crown Point in the season opener. The lone undefeated 1A squad in the state of Indiana, South Newton has a pair of outsides that hammer away at the competition, better known as the Cripes. Taylor Cripe Taylor Cripe 5'10" | OH South Newton | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-9 OH) and Lexi Cripe (’23, 5-9 OH) both have their strengths, with the younger Cripe more explosive and the elder Cripe the better passer and defender. Together, they produce 7+k/.400/1.8 aces/4.5 digs per set, and that was a better combined stat line from this time last week.