1A Regional Preview: Top Half

Kyp Harasymowycz October 16, 2023 @ 08:22 AM

We've moved past the sectionals and are now down to the last sixteen teams remaining in each class. This edition touches on the top half of the 1A bracket, where the regional semifinals and finals are played on the same day. Here they are, with locations and times included.   Ratings/rankings and records are through games on 10/14. All matches will be played on 10-21.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#7 Faith Christian (29-3) v #12 Daleville (20-9) @ Southwood, 10a</h2>   Those in attendance at Southwood will be rewarded with highly efficient offenses, with one player on each team leading the way. The Eagles have been consistently led by [player_tooltip player_id='171344' first='Aesha' last='Vogt'] ('24, 5-8 OH, Butler commit), who brings a stat line of 4k/.300+ to every match. Look for her opposite, Maya Layton ('26, 5-8 OH) to pick up the slack if Aesha falters. As for the Broncos, they bring their own 4k/.300+ player into the fray in the form of Trishell Johnson ('25, 5-9 MB), who will have her hands full defensively against the Eagle attack. Freshman phenom Maddie Rees ('27, 5-8 OH) puts away another three kills per set for the Broncos, and will need to put away more than that to come out on top Saturday morning.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='430078' first='Blue' last='River Valley'] (19-10) @ #4 Southwood (28-4), TBA</h2>   The upstart Vikings got a career high 43 kills from senior attacker Maciah Driskill against Tri in the sectional, so expect more of the same type of offense from the Vikings. As for the hosts, they bring a ton of young and club-experienced talent to the match, starting with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='494521' first='Shania' last='Rhamy'] ('27, 5-8 OH). Her stat line of 4k/.300+ is impressive considering she's a primary passing outside who makes this game look easy. The Knights have some size to go along with that talent, and setter [player_tooltip player_id='239310' first='Grace' last='Drake'] ('25, 6-0 S) is part of the 6-2 that Southwood runs.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Blackhawk Christian (26-8) v #9 Marquette Catholic (22-10) @ Culver Community, 1030a</h2>   This is probably the toughest regional in all of 1A simply because all four teams are ranked in the top twenty in the class. This particular matchup will be fun to watch, as it pits size and experience against each other---a rare sight for schools this small. The defending champion Braves roll out [player_tooltip player_id='230529' first='Allie' last='Boyer'] ('24, 6-2 OH) to hammer away at the pin, while [player_tooltip player_id='230528' first='Abbie' last='Cresse'] ('24, 6-3 MB, Dayton commit) can take over a match at the net both defensively and offensively. Unlike most of the Braves' opponents this season, the Blazers can match up well in the size department. The dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id='365574' first='Anne' last='Marie Wadle'] ('25, 6-1 OH/MB) and Livia Balling ('25, 6-0 MB/OH) have combined for an impressive stat line: 8k/6d/1b/1a per set, all while hitting almost .300. This should be a fun, offensive-minded match to watch.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#10 Tri-County (24-3) v #19 Kouts (21-9) @ Culver Community, TBA</h2>   Following the clash of the above titans, another group of offensive juggernauts go after each other, but with differing styles. The Cavaliers are definitely middle-dominated, with [player_tooltip player_id='261049' first='Sara' last='Zarse'] (24k, .469) and Hannah Arvin (21k, .352) crushing career highs in their epic five-set win over Frontier in the sectional semifinal (which felt like the final). The Fillies are smaller, but much more pin and defensive oriented. Lindsey Krueger ('25, 5-6 OH) averages nearly five kills per set, while Erin Stewart ('26, 5-6 OH) is another of many young and well-rounded attackers on this squad. For me, the winner of this one will have the better serve-and-pass game.

We've moved past the sectionals and are now down to the last sixteen teams remaining in each class. This edition touches on the top half of the 1A bracket, where the regional semifinals and finals are played on the same day. Here they are, with locations and times included.