You Pick The Day: Top Matches To Watch This Week
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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…
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Continue ReadingThis 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.
Records are as of 9/24, rankings are based on the Z-Ratings from 9/18, which can be found at IndianaPrepVolleyball.com.
Monday: Lawrenceburg (17-3) @ Madison (18-6)
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. Kallie Eder (’24, 5-8 OH/MB) is the senior leader of this bunch, but two sophomores regularly fill the stat sheet. Maylie Skinner (’26, 5-8 OH) and Lilly Canida (’26, 6-1 MB) 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. Natalie Knigga Natalie Knigga 5'9" | OH Lawrenceburg | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-9 S/OH) can do a little of everything, while Trinity Taylor Trinity Taylor 5'8" | OH Lawrenceburg | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-8 OH) is a solid option for a primary passing outside at the next level.
Tuesday: 1A #2 Blackhawk Christian (19-6) @ 4A #9 Carroll (18-5)
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 Allie Boyer Allie Boyer 6'2" | OH Blackhawk Christian | 2024 State IN (’24, 6-2 Pin) and Abbie Cresse Abbie Cresse 6'3" | MB Blackhawk Christian | 2024 State IN (’24, 6-3 MB, Dayton commit) should make attackers think twice about being reckless with the ball. The Chargers are run by impressive youth, as Bailey Sinish Bailey Sinish 5'11" | OH Carroll | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-11 OH) and Sarah Stegall (’27, 5-10 OH) will own the outside hitting position for the next few years for Carroll.
Wednesday: 4A #4 Castle (21-2) @ 1A #1 Tecumseh (22-3)
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 Katie Kopshever Katie Kopshever 5'11" | OH Castle | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-11 OH, Eastern Illinois commit) and Emma Bruggenschmidt Emma Bruggenschmidt 6'0" | OH Castle | 2026 State IN (’26, 6-0). 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. Jenna Donohoo Jenna Donohoo 5'10" | OH Tecumseh | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-10 OH) and Payge Johnson Payge Johnson 5'8" | OH Tecumseh | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-8 S/OH) 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.
Thursday: 3A #3 Benton Central (22-0) @ 4A #6 McCutcheon
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 Calista Foster Calista Foster 5'9" | OH Benton Central | 2026 State IN (’26, 5-10 OH) and older sis Sienna Foster Sienna Foster 5'9" | OH Benton Central | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-10 OH, Purdue commit) have been the alpha and omega for the Bison offense. Expect more of the same on Thursday. As for the Mavericks, Isabella Humphrey Isabella Humphrey 5'9" | OH McCutcheon | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-9 OH, Auburn commit) is a primary passing champ that has an eternal fire on the court. One of the lone bigs on McCutcheon’s roster, Reanna Lee Reanna Lee 5'11" | MB McCutcheon | 2025 State IN (’25, 5-11 RS/MB) will need to key on the Fosters to slow them down and give the home side a chance of winning this one.
Saturday: 4A #13 Noblesville (16-5) @ 4A #8 Center Grove (18-3)
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, Aubrey Stitcher Aubrey Stitcher 5'10" | OH Noblesville | 2024 IN (’24, 5-10 OH) and Anna Elkin Anna Elkin 5'10" | OH Noblesville | 2024 State IN (’24, 5-8 OH). The Trojans counter with a mixture of attacks from everywhere, as Ellen Zapp Ellen Zapp 6'0" | MB Center Grove | 2025 State IN (’25, 6-0 Pin) can terminate from all positions, while Reese Dunkle Reese Dunkle 6'3" | MB Center Grove | 2025 State #31 Nation IN (’25, 6-3 MB, Northwestern commit) 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.