Top Five In 3A This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are into week three in the high school season here in Indiana, and the 3A class looks to be the most competitive. Here are five teams, with a combined record of 38-4, that have separated themselves from the pack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5: Barr-Reeve (7-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though the Vikings have losses on their schedule, it's not like they lost to cupcakes. Lafayette Central Catholic is a volleyball blue-blood if there ever was one, and Linton-Stockton should make another deep run in the state tournament later this fall. That being said, learning from those losses will come from an extremely young offense. No seniors dot the stat sheet offensively for the Vikings, but this group is big and athletic. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226808' first='Addison' last='Jones'] ('26, 5-11 OH)</strong> might be the most consistent of the bunch, what with her four kills per set while hitting north of .400 on the early season. <strong>Hannah Bledsoe ('25, 6-0 MB)</strong> is the size in the middle you need to compete in late October in 3A. She leads the squad in blocks while also attacking over .400.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4: Angola (5-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm hesitant to put the Hornets any higher than this spot because the meat of their schedule has yet to begin. Yes, they've swept all five opponents, which is impressive. I'm looking at the September 16 matchup against Bellmont, which will be their truest test of preparedness for the long haul. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110486' first='Morgan' last='Gaerte'] ('24, 6-4 OH, Notre Dame commit)</strong> is the real deal, hammering nearly five kills per set while hitting over .500. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237882' first='Maya' last='Harris'] ('26, 5-10 OH)</strong> is a fast and athletic outside that adds another four kills per set while hitting .400 as a primary passer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3: Benton Central (6-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although the Bison are smaller than Angola overall, their passing is some of the best in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110506' first='Sienna' last='Foster'] ('24, 5-10 OH, Purdue commit)</strong> leads the way in that category, also while leading in kills per set, attack percentage and digs per set. The whole show goes through her. Another Foster, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260994' first='Calista' last='Foster'] ('26, 5-10 OH)</strong> might be the more dynamic kid offensively, and is pretty tough behind the baseline. This pair supplies the bulk of the Bison offense, and a showdown with Angola looms in the postseason yet again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2: Providence (9-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers play one of the toughest schedules in the state, let alone 3A. That being said, losses to Kentucky state champ Assumption in straight sets and a demolishing at the hands of Indiana 4A champ Hamilton Southeastern brought this group back down to earth, albeit momentarily. A pair of seniors lead this squad in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='143807' first='Makenzie' last='Wagner'] ('24, 5-10 RS)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210180' first='Lilly' last='Tappel'] ('24, 5-10 OH).</strong> Both are still available to play at the next level, and both can easily do so with their exceptional all-around games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1: Bellmont (11-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Braves play their own brand of a tough schedule. Just look at this list of defeated foes: Bishop Dwenger, Avon, Roncalli, Blackhawk Christian, and Yorktown. Balance won their match against Yorktown, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226809' first='MaryKate' last='Scheumann'] ('26, 5-10 OH)</strong> hammering 22 against the Tigers. She's a primary passing outside that will make waves for years at Bellmont and beyond. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110518' first='Delaney' last='Lawson'] ('24, 6-1 OH, Utah State commit)</strong> is the main cog in this offense, who has averaged over four kills per set while hitting over .400 against this tough-as-nails schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->