3A Regional Preview: Bottom Half

Of the eight teams in the bottom half of the 3A draw, six are ranked in the top 15 in class 3A. Even the unranked teams look impressive, and have a ton of young talent on each. Here are all eight teams, their matchups, and what two players you should watch for in each regional semifinal.   Rankings are procured from IndianaPrepVolleyball.com, updated on 10/16.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Providence (27-5) v #7 Evansville Memorial (25-4) @ Charlestown, 1030a</h2>   Two top ten teams in the first match? Sign me up! This should be a battle of experience, both in high school and in club (Union v Evansville United). The Pioneers return a couple of all-state honorees, but none will be more important on offense than [player_tooltip player_id='143807' first='Makenzie' last='Wagner'] ('24, 5-10 RS). Her ability to terminate from anywhere, plus the fact that she's left-handed, makes her extremely difficult to defend. Look for senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='114355' first='Camila' last='Adams'] ('24, 5-8 DS/L) to take over on serve receive should the defending champs need a side-out. The Tigers have their own primary attacker in Reese McCutchan. She can set too, which means she is more to this program than any other player in the gym at 1030 tomorrow morning. Natalie West is the senior libero needed to get by this tough matchup, and will be called upon to take more in serve receive if they want to knock off the defending 3A champs.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#12 Barr-Reeve (24-8) v Lawrenceburg (27-5) @ Charlestown, following match #1</h2>   Where defense and ball control will be the key in the first match, offense and "youth leadership" will be the keys in the later semifinal. A pair of Viking attackers run the offense for BR in [player_tooltip player_id='226808' first='Addison' last='Jones'] and Lanie Graber. Together, this pair of sophomores averages six kills, six digs and hit .300 per set. Not a bad tandem for this volleyball blue-blood. The Tigers counter with two solid attackers of their own, although both can add assists to their stat line if need be. [player_tooltip player_id='342072' first='Natalie' last='Knigga'] and [player_tooltip player_id='233897' first='Trinity' last='Taylor'] are a pair of highly-effective juniors that can do a little of everything for the Tigers. Here's to hoping their supporting cast does more to pull off the upset.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#13 Hamilton Heights (23-6) v #15 Northview (24-9) @ Monrovia, 10a</h2>   Yet again, another 3A match will be controlled by a great number of talented underclassmen. [player_tooltip player_id='301139' first='Macie' last='Smith'] ('26, 6-0 OH) is my favorite in this matchup, as she's part of the ten foot club and averages over five kills per set for the Huskies. She's joined by [player_tooltip player_id='152933' first='Kennedy' last='Cherry'] ('25, 5-7 DS/L, Western Kentucky commit), who can pass half the court in serve receive and is part of more transition digs than anyone else in 3A. The Knights counter with returning second-team All-State honoree [player_tooltip player_id='173242' first='Keira' last='Lucas'] ('25, 5-11 OH), who already owns Northview's all-time kills record and also averages five kills per set. The Knights have their own committed libero, thankyouverymuch, in [player_tooltip player_id='173240' first='Bradee' last='Mcdonald'] ('25, 5-4 DS/L, IU), who prides herself on her anticipation and making things easier for her setter. Her six digs per set will have to be kicked up a notch against the Huskies.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#10 Tri-West (23-9) v Speedway (21-8) @ Monrovia, following match #1</h2>   These two teams are about thirty minutes away from each other, having never played each other this season, while going to a regional site they're each thirty minutes from. As local as this sounds, the gym should sound even LOUDER with the proximity to both communities. Both have a fabulous freshman at the helm of each of their offenses. [player_tooltip player_id='260995' first='Caroline' last='Ward'] ('27, 6-0 OH) is a hammer and also attacks at ten feet, while opposite her is a tough and athletic outside in Izzy Masten ('26, 5-8 OH) who does a ton for the Bruin offense and defense. Mallory Short ('27, 5-10 Pin) can put balls away from both pins, and might have to shoulder more on offense to pull off the upset tomorrow. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='152934' first='Peyton' last='Ridge'] ('25, 5-6 DS/L) has already surpassed 1200 career digs, but will have to do a little more work to keep the ball off the floor against the Bruins' two outsides.

Of the eight teams in the bottom half of the 3A draw, six are ranked in the top 15 in class 3A. Even the unranked teams look impressive, and have a ton of young talent on each. Here are all eight teams, their matchups, and what two players you should watch for in each regional semifinal.