Indiana 3A Preview: 30-Win Minimum

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving right along in our preview of each of the four classes in the state of Indiana for volleyball, we stop at 3A which is filled with talent and winning. Each of the four teams listed had at least thirty wins last season, and it's not like they played easy schedules. Here they are, with key players for each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Providence ('22 record: 31-6)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers, year-in and year-out, play one of the toughest schedules in 3A. They even have a match or two against teams from across the Ohio River, including Assumption last year, which I was personally a part of. Yes, they lose a ton in graduating setter <strong>Grace Purichia (IUPUI),</strong> but almost everyone else comes back. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='143807' first='Makenzie' last='Wagner'] ('24, 5-10 RS)</strong> is a lefty banger from the right pin that plays all the way around, and can set if needed. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210180' first='Lilly' last='Tappel'] ('24, 5-10 OH)</strong> takes care of the left pin, two rotations away from Miss Wagner. Those two consistently gave fits to opposing defenses all season long. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240162' first='Lilly' last='Kaiser'] ('24, 5-11 MB)</strong> is fully capable of playing any position she's given, but her speed and smarts in the middle will beat some of the bigger, lumbering middles from around the state. The question remains, however: who's setting?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bellmont ('22 record: 30-7)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of teams that play a tough schedule, here come the Braves. Bellmont is in the conversation for a trip to Worthen Arena in November every fall, and with good reason. Volleyball at Bellmont is a well-oiled machine, and there's no sign of it slowing down any time soon. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110518' first='Delaney' last='Lawson'] ('24, 6-1 OH, Utah State commit)</strong> is a big hammer who moves fast and jumps high that can be a six-rotation passer at the next level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157433' first='Jackie' last='Sutter'] ('24, 5-11 OH)</strong> is a smooth and reliable pin attacker that can put balls away from anywhere. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226809' first='MaryKate' last='Scheumann'] ('26, 5-10 OH)</strong> could be the x-factor in the Braves bringing home a state title, as her all-around game is probably the best and most consistent of the three. Is this the year?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Benton Central ('22 record: 31-4)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a mixture of youth, experience and a high volleyball IQ, the Bison had an excellent run last season and look to do the same this coming fall with just about the same cast of characters. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260994' first='Calista' last='Foster'] ('26, 5-9 OH)</strong> is a primary-passing six-rotation outside that can take over a match if you let her. Older sister <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110506' first='Sienna' last='Foster'] ('24, 5-10 OH, Purdue commit)</strong> is an exceptional passer with volleyball acuity that's off the charts. If you want to win, do not serve her under any circumstances. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='228395' first='Riley' last='Hoaks'] ('25, 5-8 S)</strong> looks to run the offense again this season, as her athleticism will get to balls and make them better for her attackers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DARK HORSE: Angola ('22 record: 31-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do we even talk about it? A reverse sweep in the regional to the Bison listed above was one of the best (if not THE best) match of the tournament in any class. 22-20 in the fifth? Just....wow. If you ask me, this match NEEDS to happen again in the postseason. I'm sure both teams (maybe not the coaches' blood pressure) would welcome it. That being said, the Hornets might actually be <em>better</em> this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110486' first='Morgan' last='Gaerte'] ('24, 6-4 OH, Notre Dame commit)</strong> is a monster to deal with whenever she's on the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110487' first='Mya' last='Ball'] ('24, 6-1 RS, Central Florida commit)</strong> is a hammer from anywhere you set her, and those two combined for over 700 kills last fall. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237882' first='Maya' last='Harris'] ('26, 5-10 OH)</strong> is a nice addition to this offense, and would probably be the top attacker on almost any other team in the state. This three-headed monster could surpass 1000 kills by themselves this fall, all with a high level of efficiency and pace. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->