You Pick The Day: Matches Of The Week

With August in the rearview, I've decided to start a new series for those of us that just love the game and not only one team in particular. For each day of matches this week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday), I picked a match that would be worth the drive to watch. Here are the four days in question, each team's record, and two players for each team that have made a difference.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday: Yorktown (10-2) @ Hamilton Southeastern (11-0)</h2>   Why not start the week off with a repeat of last year's 4A final? This should be an epic matchup of a pair of volleyball blue bloods that has no shortage of Division I talent. For the Tigers, look for [player_tooltip player_id='152944' first='Charlotte' last='Vinson'] ('25, 6-1 OH, Indiana commit) to BE the offense. Her six kills per set proves that. In order to slow down that HSE offense, the Tigers will need a little size, so look for [player_tooltip player_id='133621' first='Jayde' last='Garrett'] ('24, 6-0 MB) to slow a few balls down and make playing defense behind her a little easier.   As for HSE, the match should start and end with [player_tooltip player_id='110501' first='Lauren' last='Harden'] ('24, 6-3 OH, Florida commit) putting balls away. She just recorded her 1000th career kill, and could pass 1300 by season's end. In their 6-2 offense, an unheralded right side comes in in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='261036' first='Madison' last='Miles'] ('26, 6-1 RS). She adds a hitting percentage over .300, while also giving fits to opposing outsides.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday: Carroll (11-2) @ Bellmont (14-1)</h2>   Speaking of volleyball blue bloods, these two from the Fort Wayne area will battle for easily the best match for Wednesday. In some cases these kids play club together AND against each other, which makes for great drama. The Chargers have a ton of talented youth all over this roster, led by [player_tooltip player_id='227184' first='Bailey' last='Sinish'] ('26, 5-11 OH). She had 17 kills against HSE on Saturday in three sets, which is impressive on any day. Another young pin attacker for the Chargers is [player_tooltip player_id='741558' first='Sarah' last='Stegall'] ('27, 5-11 OH), who adds another couple of kills to that well-balanced offense.   Bellmont's lone loss was also to HSE, and also on Saturday. It's clear that the leader in kills in that match, [player_tooltip player_id='226809' first='MaryKate' last='Scheumann'] ('26, 5-10 OH) will be the physical and emotional leader for the Braves. Her 11 kills in three sets against the Royals on Saturday was proof enough for me. Bellmont's senior-led squad, however, should be the difference in this match. [player_tooltip player_id='239312' first='Hailey' last='Cole'] ('24, 5-10 S) will distribute the offense well and keep the Chargers on their heels all night.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday: Greenfield-Central (10-1) @ New Castle (9-4)</h2>   The lone conference matchup of the week you might attend in this list will be in the biggest high school gym in the country. I've been, and it's impressive. Nevertheless, despite their results over the weekend, the Cougars run out an impressive list of attackers, starting with [player_tooltip player_id='145469' first='Mya' last='Grigsby'] ('24, 5-11 OH). At five kills and four digs per set, she's the main part of this offense. I'm also high on [player_tooltip player_id='152945' first='Harper' last='Holden'] ('25, 6-1 MB), an anchor in the middle for the Cougars who can do a little of everything.   The Trojans have had a solid season thus far, and look to continue their successes on Thursday. [player_tooltip player_id='487338' first='Lauren' last='Wilson'] ('25, 6-0 OH/MB) brings her four kills per set to the offense, and will probably raise that average to have success against GC. Morley Blessinger ('24, 5-4 DS/L) is a left-back genius that can receive serve on half the court and will keep the Trojans in points regularly with her defense.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saturday: West Lafayette (8-2) @ Zionsville (11-0)</h2>   This will be an epic matchup based in youth. The Red Devils make the short trip down I-65 to meet the Eagles, and there will be no shortage of offense and size. [player_tooltip player_id='387449' first='Audrey' last='Alexander'] ('26, 5-11 OH) leads the way offensively from the pin, and will need to up that three-kills-per-set average to have a chance against Zionsville. [player_tooltip player_id='173241' first='Taylor' last='Woods'] ('25, 5-11 OH) has the experience and the talent to go toe-to-toe with the Eagles, and she plays with a ton of maturity and a high volleyball IQ.   The Eagles are having a surprising start to their season. I don't remember the last time they started the season undefeated and carried that record into September. [player_tooltip player_id='221478' first='Josie' last='Imes'] ('26, 5-10 OH) is part of the youth movement running the show. She's a primary passing six rotation outside that can do a little of everything you need from an outside hitter. [player_tooltip player_id='251066' first='Elli' last='Strecker'] ('26, 6-3 MB) has length for days, and makes you feel like you're hitting in a phone booth. Her size will be key if the Eagles want to come out of this match with a win.

With August in the rearview, I've decided to start a new series for those of us that just love the game and not only one team in particular. For each day of matches this week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday), I picked a match that would be worth the drive to watch. Here are the four days in question, each team's record, and two players for each team that have made a difference.