4A State Championship: #2 Yorktown v #1 Hamilton Southeastern

Photo: Prep Dig, Josiah

Kyp Harasymowycz November 5, 2022 @ 07:07 AM

Those in attendance on the campus of Ball State for this match will be treated to the only #1-v-#2 match of the day. The flagship class will also bring us the flagship match at Worthen Arena this evening at about 7pm. These two played much earlier this fall (9/6) to a five-set thriller that was one of the best matches of the regular season in all classes. However, both teams have changed since then, which brings us to this epic title fight. Here are the teams, their records, and the key players that will be needed to take home a title trophy.   <h2>#2 Yorktown (34-2)</h2>   By avenging one of their losses this season earlier in the playoffs (Brebeuf), all that remains is the rematch with HSE. The Tigers will lean heavily on [player_tooltip player_id='152944' first='Charlotte' last='Vinson'] ('25, 6-2 OH), our top recruit for the class of '25. Her 20 kills in the semi state over Floyd Central in four sets set the tone for the rest of the team. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='115069' first='Emilee' last='Hill'] (Eastern Kentucky commit) is also used as an additional attacker, filling the stat sheet last Saturday with 17 kills, 21 assists and 26 digs. Her all-around game might be the Tigers' x-factor, as the Royals have no such equal. Despite [player_tooltip player_id='210677' first='Gretchen' last='Moore']'s ('23, 5-8 MB) size, she's always finding ways to put balls away and defend her position well. Her 10 kills last week proved that, but I'm not sure she's seen size quite like HSE's. Yorktown's hallmark is ball control, and a pair of Addi's are chiefly responsible. [player_tooltip player_id='155213' first='Addi' last='Applegate'] ('25, 5-4 DS/L) is an exceptional libero, and will receive the majority of serves. [player_tooltip player_id='154615' first='Addi' last='Rains'] (Clemson commit) is yet another from Munciana that typifies their defense-first mentality.   <h2>#1 Hamilton Southeastern (33-1)</h2>   The 33 you see is how many the Royals have won in a row since their season-opening loss to McCutcheon. Now that they're past the Mavericks, all that remains is the summit of the sport. Where the Tigers are rooted in smart, ball-control-based volleyball, HSE is known for their size, strength and limitless offensive options. We can start with the lone senior on the roster, [player_tooltip player_id='93482' first='Avery' last='Hobson'] (Duquesne commit), whose 15 kills in three quick sets against Lake Central last Saturday led all attackers. A nice pin option who remains uncommitted is [player_tooltip player_id='153107' first='Lindsey' last='Mangelson'] ('25, 6-2 OH). She added 11 kills of her own and has the size and speed to keep defenses away from keying on the older attackers. Of course, there's [player_tooltip player_id='110501' first='Lauren' last='Harden'] (Florida commit), my #1 recruit for the class of '24. She has an attack line of 3+k/.300+ for the season, which is second only to Avery. Moving Lauren to the right side quite literally changed the trajectory of the Royals' season, and they're a much different team because of the move. The offense doesn't stop there, as [player_tooltip player_id='153104' first='Breonna' last='Goss'] (Duke commit) is a springy, long and lean middle that can block everyone and transitions faster than anyone else in this match. Her opposite, fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='112085' first='Tiffany' last='Snook'] ('24, 6-2 MB) is quietly becoming one of my favorite middles in this class, and has improved so much in the two years I've seen her play. The relentlessness with which the Royals play needs to be constant in order for the title trophy to come to Hamilton County, which just might happen.

Those in attendance on the campus of Ball State for this match will be treated to the only #1-v-#2 match of the day. The flagship class will also bring us the flagship match at Worthen Arena this evening at about 7pm. These two played much earlier this fall (9/6) to a five-set thriller that was one of the best matches of the regular season in all classes. However, both teams have changed since then, which brings us to this epic title fight. Here are the teams, their records, and the key players that will be needed to take home a title trophy.