3A Regional Preview: Bottom Half
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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…
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Continue ReadingOf 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.
#2 Providence (27-5) v #7 Evansville Memorial (25-4) @ Charlestown, 1030a
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 Makenzie Wagner Makenzie Wagner 5'10" | RS Providence | 2024 State IN (’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 Camila Adams Camila Adams 5'8" | DS/L Providence | 2024 State IN (’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.
#12 Barr-Reeve (24-8) v Lawrenceburg (27-5) @ Charlestown, following match #1
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 Addison Jones Addison Jones 5'11" | OH Barr-Reeve | 2026 State IN 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. Natalie Knigga Natalie Knigga 5'9" | OH Lawrenceburg | 2025 State IN and Trinity Taylor Trinity Taylor 5'8" | OH Lawrenceburg | 2025 State IN 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.
#13 Hamilton Heights (23-6) v #15 Northview (24-9) @ Monrovia, 10a
Yet again, another 3A match will be controlled by a great number of talented underclassmen. Macie Smith Macie Smith 6'0" | OH Hamilton Heights | 2026 State IN (’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 Kennedy Cherry Kennedy Cherry 5'7" | DS/L Hamilton Heights | 2025 State IN (’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 Keira Lucas Keira Lucas 5'10" | OH Northview | 2025 State IN (’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 Bradee Mcdonald Bradee Mcdonald 5'4" | DS/L Northview | 2025 State IN (’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.
#10 Tri-West (23-9) v Speedway (21-8) @ Monrovia, following match #1
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. Caroline Ward Caroline Ward 6'0" | RS Tri-West | 2027 State IN (’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 Peyton Ridge Peyton Ridge 5'5" | DS/L Speedway | 2025 State IN (’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.