Top Five Teams In 3A This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So many great teams have moved past their early season schedules and are now into the tougher portion. Kids get sick, hurt, or a number of other things happen when the weather gets a little cooler. Here are the top five teams in 3A this week, along with their records and a couple of athletes on each roster that could be the x-factor to a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(Records are as of 9/12. Rankings are based on the Z-Rankings, procured from IndianaPrepVolleyball.com)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5: Silver Creek (12-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When your only two losses are to 4A powers Cathedral and Center Grove, you're doing something right. The Dragons have used a mixture of size, skill and experience to power through their opponents, and their biggest x-factor has been <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274410' first='Addison' last='Makun'] ('25, 6-4 MB).</strong> She gets her training across the Ohio River at KIVA, and is responsible for a highly improved offense and defense for this southern Indiana squad. Hybrid athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='143805' first='Ellie' last='Priddy'] ('24, 5-11 S/OH)</strong> does a little bit of everything for the Dragons, and her leadership should carry them to at least a regional this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4: NorthWood (14-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the other end of the state, the Panthers have their own schedule run going for them. Saturday's neutral site match against #1 Bellmont will be the truest test of their preparedness for the postseason, which is only a few weeks away. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192110' first='Claire' last='Payne'] ('25, 6-1 MB)</strong> has shown a dominance on offense this fall, averaging four kills per set while hitting .400. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210181' first='Karis' last='Bennett'] ('24, 5-9 OH)</strong> is a nice complement to Claire, who is a primary passing outside that can do anything asked of her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3: Benton Central (15-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can hear the squawking now. BC IS UNDEFEATED! HOW COME THEY'RE NOT #1?!? Well, it was a tough decision to put them here, but the separation between the top three is razor thin. That being said, the Bison might not see another tough match until McCutcheon at the end of the month, which will be a great tune-up for the postseason. In the 6-2 that they run, setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='228395' first='Riley' last='Hoaks'] ('25, 5-8 S)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='499444' first='Izzy' last='Adams'] ('26, 5-6 S)</strong> are multisport studs whose athleticism gets them to every pass and makes every ball hittable for their attackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2: Providence (17-4)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing easily one of the toughest schedules in the state regardless of class, the Pioneers have a showdown with 4A #4 Yorktown this Saturday that can easily go the distance. This senior-led team starts with first-contact queen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='114355' first='Camila' last='Adams'] ('24, 5-9 DS/L),</strong> another KIVA kid with the ability and tools to play D-1 ball at the next level. One of the setters responsible for Providence's success is <strong>Reese Carver ('24, 5-5 S),</strong> who is quick on her feet, defends her position well, and makes every ball hittable and with tempo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1: Bellmont (17-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That lone blemish on the Braves' record is a result of a loss to 4A #1 Hamilton Southeastern, which should prepare them well for the remainder of the regular season. To make yet another long run in the playoffs, look no further than where the first contact will come from, which is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242595' first='Sami' last='Christen'] ('24, 5-7 DS/L). </strong>Her relaxed upper body combined with hyperactive feet get her to a ton of balls and puts them on target regularly. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239312' first='Hailey' last='Cole'] ('24, 5-10 S)</strong> runs the 5-1 offense for the Braves, and does more than your average setter. Both of these seniors are fully capable of playing at the next level and, with a little luck, should end their high school careers in Worthen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->