Top Five In 4A This Week: Postseason Edition
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Our final, double-final, no-more-after-this top five puts the focus squarely on big girl ball, class 4A. Of the five teams listed, none have more than three losses, and all have 23-plus wins. Each of their respective sectionals should be easy…
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Continue ReadingOur final, double-final, no-more-after-this top five puts the focus squarely on big girl ball, class 4A. Of the five teams listed, none have more than three losses, and all have 23-plus wins. Each of their respective sectionals should be easy enough, but the regionals (October 22) should be a ton of great volleyball. Here are the five, with each of their first-round matchups and the underclassmen that can help earn a state title for their squads.
#5: Carroll (28-2), v Snider in sectional 5 on October 13
If there ever was a team that could win it all for the Chargers, it’s this one. Other years had some of the pieces, but not all. This might be their chance, and we can look to setter Olivia Gisslen Olivia Gisslen 5'9" | S Carroll | 2024 State #196 Nation IN (’24, 5-9 S) to lead this offense to glory. She’s this close to producing 1000 assists this fall alone, and can keep teams honest with her deception. Snider (11-17) gets to find out first-hand how ready the Chargers are.
#4: Brebeuf (23-3), v Southport in sectional 11 on October 13
After winning the 3A title last fall, one might give the Braves a reasonable excuse for not being successful this fall. Brebeuf has taken on all opponents and look ready to contend in the southern half of 4A. The Cardinals (11-15) shouldn’t stop the Braves from reaching the regional, where Yorktown will be waiting. Lola Schumacher Lola Schumacher 5'4" | DS/L Brebeuf Jesuit | 2024 State #60 Nation IN (’24, 5-4 DS/L, Wisconsin commit) is the first-contact master that teams need to lean on to ensure success in the postseason.
#3: Yorktown (27-2), v Richmond in sectional 9 on October 13
Speaking of the Tigers, Richmond (5-17) is just one of the minor bumps on the road to the regional. Hosting your own sectional will make things very comfortable for the folks in green. My favorite from this roster is Charlotte Vinson Charlotte Vinson 6'1" | OH Yorktown | 2025 State #21 Nation IN (’25, 6-1 OH), who leads in multiple categories (kills, kills per set, hitting percentage, aces) and will be relied upon again to lead.
#2: McCutcheon (26-1), v Marion in sectional 7 on October 13
And speaking of hosting, the Mavericks drew Marion (8-15) for next Tuesday’s sectional opener at home. There is so much talent up and down this roster to justify not only last year’s state title, but a possible run at another this fall. Easily the most talented and college-ready roster McCutcheon has ever had, I’m looking at Reanna Lee Reanna Lee 5'11" | MB McCutcheon | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-11 MB) to be part of the next wave of Mavericks to carry the torch for the program.
#1: Hamilton Southeastern (27-1), v Carmel in sectional 8 on October 13
Was there ever a doubt? The consensus #1 team in the state for weeks has been the Royals, and will continue to be the Royals until their playoffs are done. Hosting Carmel (19-8) is no easy task, as the “sectional of death” makes their sectional matchups the toughest on this (or any) list. Lauren Harden Lauren Harden 6'3" | OH Hamilton Southeastern | 2024 State #36 Nation IN (’24, 6-3 OH) continues to be a physical force for the Royals, and proves it with a consistent attack line of 3+k/.300+ per set.