Big Class Changes: Who Moves Down?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Use code KypDig2024 to save $10 off of your registration to our Stock Up Showcase August 3!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every two years, the IHSAA "reclassifies" teams by sport and by school population to make the four class system in volleyball that much more fair. This year, however, instead of equally distributing 25% of schools per class, the top class (4A) was limited to the top 20% by population, plus tournament success factors. The middle two classes stayed the same at 25% each, while 1A had the biggest increase of schools, moving to 30% of all schools in Indiana. This presents quite a few matchup changes and blue-bloods finding new homes. For the next two days, we'll talk about the top five programs moving down a class, or those being promoted in this two-year cycle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Roncalli (30-4 in 2023): now in class 3A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Probably the most significant change among all of the volleyball powerhouses is that Roncalli moves to 3A after years of success in the largest class. The Royals return pretty much all of their firepower and defense, while also retaining their setter, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='252404' first='Addie' last='Haberthy']</strong>. Addie is a long and lean setter that can go get any and all overpasses and make them better for her hitters. Primary attackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152943' first='Logan' last='Bell'] (Oregon commit)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254827' first='Lydia' last='Stahley']</strong> also return the bulk of the offense from a year ago. Logan is a beach AND an indoor athlete, making her all-around game some of the best in the state. Lydia is a big and physical pin player that flies to the ball and makes some blocks look obsolete. The dynamics of what this team can do on all three contacts is second to none in this class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cathedral (29-5): now in class 3A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wait, ANOTHER 4A blue blood moving down a class? The unfortunate thing about this movement is that both the Irish and the Royals are in the same regional, making a state finals matchup between these two powerhouses impossible. However, even with a few NCAA Division I kids graduating, the Irish still have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='327227' first='Hayden' last='Mandsager']</strong> on the outside hammering away, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='332515' first='Josie' last='Myers']</strong> is one of the biggest middles in the state whose has some of the most disciplined blocking techniques I've seen from a high school kid. The depth that Cathedral has in their program is impressive, and we should know within the first few weeks of season how much that depth has learned last club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Benton Central (32-2): now in class 2A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've already checked---twice. Yes, the Bison are moving to class 2A after that epic season last fall. Speaking of depth, I think there were more unknown Benton Central kids I saw this spring on the club scene than I had ever seen in the entire time of me working at PrepDig. This is a solid destination for volleyball kids in and around the Lafayette area, and there's no end in sight to their meteoric rise. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260994' first='Calista' last='Foster']</strong> returns as the leading attacker and overall best option for MVP, while stud libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260992' first='Bella' last='Widmer']</strong> also returns for her junior season to anchor the defense. Is this the year for a state title?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">South Central (32-1): now in class 1A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Satellites losing a heartbreaker in the regional semifinal to Pioneer last fall is the scar that might not heal until the NEXT postseason run happens. But this move to 1A might be a blessing in disguise, as two of the top three attackers plus the setter all graduate from last year's 32-win team. Young <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557011' first='Samantha' last='Marks']</strong> returns for this squad as the clear top attacker, but she might need a little help from her friends if they want to make another run at the state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lafayette Central Catholic (23-10): now in class 1A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't let the schedule fool you. LCC plays the one of the toughest schedules in the state, and with the regular season meaning less than nothing to the IHSAA and seeding, why not schedule tough to prep your program? That being said, I have LCC as the way-too-early dark horse to compete for a state title because of what they bring back. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557018' first='Carley' last='Barrett']</strong> and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='514361' first='Lauren' last='Johnson'] </strong>are the top two attacking options, and both return for another run. Each will be tasked with shouldering the offensive load this coming fall. Senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154812' first='Kaitlyn' last='Kuckkan'] </strong>comes back for her last run into the fray, and her excellent decision-making and athleticism should carry this team far into October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->