Top Five 2A Teams This Week: Blue Bloods

<p>Although the 2A season has been rather random in results, we're finally back to a normal, these-teams-look-familiar article, despite what the records say. To the untrained eye, two of these teams "shouldn't be here". Remember folks, every IHSAA postseason is a blind draw, meaning that the records don't matter. We'll dig a little deeper into each of these five teams and show <em>why</em> we put these teams in these spots, along with two players per team that can be the difference maker.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5: Wapahani (13-6)</h2>   <p>These Raiders, after a rough start to the season, are back to being the 2A defending champs we remember from a year ago. Yes, the major characters have graduated, but the program is still quite healthy, thankyouverymuch. The top two attackers, <strong>Sophia Beeson ('25, 5-7 OH)</strong> and <strong>Lauren Rich ('24, 5-10 RS)</strong> have combined to produce eight kills per set while hitting at about .300 this fall, which seems right compared to the top two attackers from a year ago. Sophia is a primary passing outside that should never come out of the game, while Lauren is the size that's needed to compete in another long run.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4: Brownstown Central (12-10)</h2>   <p>Here is where the complaining might start for the casual reader. The Braves have always found themselves on the right side of preparation once October starts, mostly due to their very difficult schedule. Proof of that is in their record---NONE of their losses are to 1A or 2A schools. To me, that strength of schedule piece really means something, which is that the folks in Brownstown know exactly how to prepare their kids. Returning Second Team All-State honoree <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750544' first='Sophie' last='Wischmeier']</strong> is the clear primary attacker for this squad, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238122' first='Jaydynn' last='Yeadon']</strong> is another youngster on this roster that will dictate the Braves' success for years to come.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3: Lafayette Central Catholic (15-3)</h2>   <p>It wasn't that long ago that the Knights won the state title (November '21). It feels like a while, doesn't it? After this group emerged from the pandemic, they've done nothing but win, including the last 14 matches this season. A pair of All-State honorees are key on this roster, starting with libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='155571' first='Rachel' last='Vorst'] ('24, 5-6 DS/L)</strong>. Her leadership both on and off the court has kept this team running on all cylinders with that first contact. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154812' first='Kaitlyn' last='Kuckkan'] ('25, 5-8 S)</strong> is a returning first team All-State honoree that runs this efficient offense well and plays with a maturity of a college setter.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2: Linton-Stockton (19-4)</h2>   <p>I won't assume that the Miners won their match against Bloomfield on Wednesday, since I'm writing this article on the same day. That being said, the Warrick family has their fingerprints all over the program's success. Senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='365266' first='Audrey' last='Warrick'] ('24, 6-1 S)</strong> is the size, experience and talent that will carry this team through to the regional. Younger sib <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226810' first='Ella' last='Warrick'] ('26, 5-8 OH)</strong> is the do-everything outside that plays with a fiery passion that is unmatched in this class.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1: Burris (18-2)</h2>   <p>Similar to many teams in this class, the Owls have exactly zero losses to 2A teams. Upon further evaluation, their two losses are to 4A squads, showing most that they're more than ready to make a deep run in late October. Getting past the 2A state champ will be the test, though, as the Raiders are in their sectional. I'm sure All-State honoree <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='155089' first='Lilly' last='Howell'] ('25, 6-2 MB)</strong> and her over-.500 attack percentage will have something to say about that. She's college-ready <em>right now</em> and will be a force once the playoffs start. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='386141' first='Avery' last='Seale'] ('24, 5-8 S)</strong> will definitely make sure that their primary attacker is happy for the rest of the season. Here's to hoping that the blind draw keeps these Owls and Wapahani on opposite sides of the sectional bracket.</p>

Although the 2A season has been rather random in results, we're finally back to a normal, these-teams-look-familiar article, despite what the records say. To the untrained eye, two of these teams "shouldn't be here". Remember folks, every IHSAA postseason is a blind draw, meaning that the records don't matter. We'll dig a little deeper into each of these five teams and show why we put these teams in these spots, along with two players per team that can be the difference maker.