Frankfort Semistate: Two Number Ones

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there was an opportunity for a volleyball fan to see the best Indiana has to offer, buy a ticket to watch the Frankfort regional. For one, you'll see a defending state champion. You'll also have the opportunity to see another #1 in the nightcap. In short, you can't go wrong with the level of volleyball in Frankfort. Here are the four teams involved, their records, and a few players for each team that will help their squads reach the state final next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>1p: Class 2A: #1 Andrean (29-5) v #2 Wapahani (30-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's unfortunate that my personal state final happens in the state semifinal. Just the way it worked out, I guess, as most of the tough teams in 2A reside in the northern half of the draw. Defending 2A state champs Andrean have a ton of talent and size, and are not shy about hammering away at the competition. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110517' first='Marin' last='Sanchez'] ('24, 5-11 OH)</strong> has been one of my top pin attackers in the class of '24, and is a primary-passing, outside-hitting machine for the Fighting 59ers. I also like the complementary piece to Miss Sanchez, senior pin attacker <strong>Annelise Allegretti ('23, 5-11 OH/RS).</strong> The size, speed and strength of these two should give the Raiders fits at the net. Don't count out Wapahani yet. This squad knows winning, and is a key piece in Munciana's success for decades. Thirty wins doesn't happen by accident, and their strength of schedule is second to none in 2A. The dynamic duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85905' first='Chloe' last='Cook'] ('23, 5-9 OH)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='95740' first='Camryn' last='Wise'] ('23, 5-10 MB, Ball State commit)</strong> have been the bookends to an incredible four-year run for the Raiders. All three of the previous seasons ended with losses in the state final. Shoot, the state final <em>itself</em> is practically a home game at Worthen Arena for the Raiders. Is this the year they break through? A four-year combined record of 95-22 shows me that they're more than due, but Andrean is in the way. In this author's opinion, the winner of this one will win next week at Ball State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Approx. 3:30p: Class 4A: Lake Central (29-9) v #1 Hamilton Southeastern (32-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians from WAY up north have had an epic season, knocking off teams like Crown Point, Warsaw and Marist (IL) in route to this match, which should be the toughest these kids have seen. LC has size and experience in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236693' first='Katia' last='Nikolic'] ('23, 6-0 OH)</strong> and <strong>Mila Petkovic ('23, 5-11 MB)</strong>, but will it be enough to stop the consensus 4A #1 for most of the season? The Royals come crush balls from all positions and hammer teams into submission, similar to what they did to nemesis McCutcheon in the regional final last Saturday. With committed kids like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='93482' first='Avery' last='Hobson'] ('23, 6-1 OH, Duquesne commit), [player_tooltip player_id='153104' first='Breonna' last='Goss'] ('24, 5-11 MB, Duke commit)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110501' first='Lauren' last='Harden'] ('24, 6-3 OH/RS, Florida commit), </strong>those in attendance will see almost immediately how big and talented HSE is. The size and talent doesn't stop there, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='112085' first='Tiffany' last='Snook'] ('24, 6-2 MB)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153107' first='Lindsey' last='Mangelson'] ('25, 6-2 OH)</strong> just adding to the intimidating size. Hobson (14), Harden (11), Mangelson (11) and Goss (10) all finished with double-digit kills, with Snook topping all blockers with seven total in their four-set win over then-#3 McCutcheon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->