You Pick The Day: Top Matches To Watch This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was probably the toughest week to find a variety of matches from around the state that featured teams worth both the travel time and the entry fee. Here are five matches that are must-watch for the casual fan. We'll include records, rankings, and a couple of players that will be key components for each team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Records are as of 9/24, rankings are based on the Z-Ratings from 9/18, which can be found at IndianaPrepVolleyball.com.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Monday: Lawrenceburg (17-3) @ Madison (18-6)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is so much experienced youth for both of these teams that it was hard for me to pick just a couple. I even cheated a bit and added an extra player for the Cubs. Speaking of those hosts, a supremely balanced offense highlights this program, with all three kids mentioned within a kill per set of each other. <strong>Kallie Eder ('24, 5-8 OH/MB)</strong> is the senior leader of this bunch, but two sophomores regularly fill the stat sheet. <strong>Maylie Skinner ('26, 5-8 OH)</strong> and <strong>Lilly Canida ('26, 6-1 MB)</strong> have a variety of shots to put balls away and use their athleticism to their advantage. As for the Tigers, a pair of juniors lead the way. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='342072' first='Natalie' last='Knigga'] ('25, 5-9 S/OH)</strong> can do a little of everything, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233897' first='Trinity' last='Taylor'] ('25, 5-8 OH)</strong> is a solid option for a primary passing outside at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday: 1A #2 Blackhawk Christian (19-6) @ 4A #9 Carroll (18-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is going to be FUN. A classic Fort Wayne battle highlights tomorrow night, with both teams having high aspirations of a deep playoff run in their respective classes. The Braves roll out a ton of senior leadership, as bigs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230529' first='Allie' last='Boyer'] ('24, 6-2 Pin)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230528' first='Abbie' last='Cresse'] ('24, 6-3 MB, Dayton commit)</strong> should make attackers think twice about being reckless with the ball. The Chargers are run by impressive youth, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227184' first='Bailey' last='Sinish'] ('26, 5-11 OH)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='741558' first='Sarah' last='Stegall'] ('27, 5-10 OH)</strong> will own the outside hitting position for the next few years for Carroll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday: 4A #4 Castle (21-2) @ 1A #1 Tecumseh (22-3)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet another big school versus little school matchup, but this one is in southern Indiana. Again, when talking about the top ten in any class in the state, we are talking about teams that can compete for a state title. The Knights have been regularly hanging out in the top five the last few years, and look to repeat their run to Worthen this fall. A pair of outsides carry the visitors in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236667' first='Katie' last='Kopshever'] ('24, 5-11 OH, Eastern Illinois commit)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272388' first='Emma' last='Bruggenschmidt'] ('26, 6-0)</strong>. Both of them can put balls away from everywhere, and will give the host Braves fits if they're not both accounted for at all times. Speaking of the Braves, look for senior leadership to be key. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230530' first='Jenna' last='Donohoo'] ('24, 5-10 OH)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157434' first='Payge' last='Johnson'] ('24, 5-8 S/OH)</strong> have been the statistical leaders of their squad for a couple of seasons now, and will need to kick it up another notch against the bigger and more experienced Knights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday: 3A #3 Benton Central (22-0) @ 4A #6 McCutcheon</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As if you needed an excuse to come to Lafayette, we'll call this a Boiler Junior battle of epic proportions. These kids know each other, grew up together and play club ball with and against each other. In other words, they've met. A mixture of experience and youth dot both rosters, starting with the Foster sisters on the Bison <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260994' first='Calista' last='Foster'] ('26, 5-10 OH)</strong> and older sis <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110506' first='Sienna' last='Foster'] ('24, 5-10 OH, Purdue commit)</strong> have been the alpha and omega for the Bison offense. Expect more of the same on Thursday. As for the Mavericks, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110524' first='Isabella' last='Humphrey'] ('24, 5-9 OH, Auburn commit)</strong> is a primary passing champ that has an eternal fire on the court. One of the lone bigs on McCutcheon's roster, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='155214' first='Reanna' last='Lee'] ('25, 5-11 RS/MB)</strong> will need to key on the Fosters to slow them down and give the home side a chance of winning this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saturday: 4A #13 Noblesville (16-5) @ 4A #8 Center Grove (18-3)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams have a little of everything for this matchup. Both teams have D1 middles, both have exceptional setting, and both have great liberi. What might set them apart is where the majority of the attacks come from. Noblesville sends a ton of balls to their senior outsides, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='394405' first='Aubrey' last='Stitcher'] ('24, 5-10 OH)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='171341' first='Anna' last='Elkin'] ('24, 5-8 OH).</strong> The Trojans counter with a mixture of attacks from everywhere, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173243' first='Ellen' last='Zapp'] ('25, 6-0 Pin)</strong> can terminate from all positions, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173248' first='Reese' last='Dunkle'] ('25, 6-3 MB, Northwestern commit)</strong> is a force in the middle. Different styles and different paces of play battling in Greenwood will be a fun watch for anyone in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->