Top Five 4A Teams This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our initial top five list finishes today with the big-girl teams being featured. This is a preliminary list, is subject to change, and probably will. However, do not be surprised if at least two of these five are still standing when the first Saturday in November comes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#5: Yorktown (11-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 4A top-five list would be incomplete without the Tigers showing themselves. Playing one of the toughest schedules in the state, Yorktown is a volleyball factory within a factory, also known as Munciana. Ball control, high volleyball IQ and consistent success year-in and year-out are trademarks of this program. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='115069' first='Emilee' last='Hill'] ('23, 5-10 S/RS, Eastern Kentucky commit)</strong> is taking a bigger leadership role than what she has been asked to in the past, even with a state championship trophy on her mantle. She's once again asked to attack from the front row and set from the back, making her a key cog in this machine. My #1 recruit in the class of '25, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152944' first='Charlotte' last='Vinson'] ('25, 6-2 OH)</strong> is finally focusing on one skill, and her attack height is unmatched on the left pin. Unfortunately, the Tigers are listed no higher than #5 because their only loss is to.....</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#4: Brebeuf (9-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending 3A champ moved up to 4A due to the IHSAA Tournament Success Factor, and haven't lost a step. The Braves continue to produce winning volleyball with high-level volleyball players at every position. One obvious recruit is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85918' first='Sydney' last='Robinson'] ('23, 5-7 OH), </strong>a high-flying, hard-hitting athlete who is the clear choice for team MVP. She's a six-rotation outside that's also Munciana-trained, and is even better for her senior season. One surprise on this roster is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='104213' first='Maeve' last='Perry'] ('23, 6-2 RS/MB), </strong>a two-sport, left-handed star in the making who is coming into her own defensively at the net, while still showing solid offensive production to take some pressure off of Miss Robinson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#3: Seymour (8-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Owls don't get a lot of credit for their success because, frankly, they're a 4A school from south of Interstate 70. Most of the elite volleyball in class 4A is north of Indianapolis, so seeing Seymour on this list is a nice surprise. Led by six-rotation star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111875' first='Olivia' last='Fish'] ('23, 6-2 OH, Wake Forest commit), </strong>the Owls are more than happy to receive production in the form of 5 kills per set while hitting over .400. An unknown for much of her career, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85902' first='Cali' last='Cummings'] ('23, 6-1 MB)</strong> is another big and physical player that has gone under the radar due to playing club at a regional program called Cougar. She's smart, big, physical, and exceptional in the classroom. Her team-leading block numbers accompany her attack line of 3+kps/.300+, which is serviceable at any level of collegiate play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#2: McCutcheon (9-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can hear the rage-typing now. Why put the defending 4A champ at anything other than #1? Well, I'm not convinced that anyone <em>other</em> than <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85895' first='Chloe' last='Chicoine'] ('23, 5-10 OH, Purdue commit)</strong> can put balls away for the Mavericks if she has an off match. She will, eventually, run out of gas, as her schedule is year-round with her responsibilities on each squad she represents. With <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85926' first='Raegan' last='Burns'] ('23, 5-5 DS/L, Kansas commit)</strong> at her side in serve receive, at least the level of passing gives her a break. This also puts the onus on setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110523' first='Allie' last='Shondell'] ('24, 5-10 S, Purdue commit), </strong>who has been an exceptional and meteoric talent in the two-plus years I've watched her. It is very hard to win a championship in this class, but to repeat, I hope someone special comes along to shoulder more of the load.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#1: Hamilton Southeastern (7-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, yes I know. The Royals started their season with a four-set loss to the Mavericks. Hear me out, please. HSE hasn't dropped a set since that loss, and it's not like their remaining schedule is easy. Next up for them is a road trip to Yorktown against those Tigers I just mentioned. Although <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110501' first='Lauren' last='Harden'] ('24, 6-3 OH)</strong> is my #1 recruit for the class of '24, she's not even the kid making the most noise in royal blue. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='93482' first='Avery' last='Hobson'] ('23, 6-0 OH, Duquesne commit)</strong> has quietly built a very constant and consistent reminder to the volleyball community at large that Miss Harden isn't the only kid that can attack at ten feet and score points. Let's hope the postseason finds HSE moving past McCutcheon in what might be their best year yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->