4A Preview: The Contenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Use code KypDig2024 for $10 off of your registration to our Stock Up Showcase/Freshman Showcase on August 3!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With both national-level tournaments <em>almost</em> in the rearview, we can move on to our high school previews. We spent a little time last week talking about the teams moving from one class to another due to a few different factors, including the tournament success factor "normalizing" the field a bit for those dominating at certain classes. Here are two teams that compete year-in and year-out for a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hamilton Southeastern (33-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not much needs to be said about the Royals' last two high school seasons. They haven't lost since the season opener in the fall of '22, and that's hard to do considering the toughness of their schedule. Contrary to popular belief, the leading attacker in both of their state finals wins IS returning, and her name is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153107' first='Lindsey' last='Mangelson'].</strong> The Mississippi State commit just came off of an MVP season at AAUs for the Samurai at Munciana, and she's lethal from both pins. Joining her on the left pin is <strong>Madison</strong> <strong>Miles,</strong> a high-flying outside who recently committed to Illinois. Wrapping up the major returners is Loyola-Chicago commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172759' first='Ava' last='Hunter'],</strong> an athletic and hyper-accurate setter who recently picked up All-Tournament hardware at GJNC's in 17 Open. I won't delve into who may or may not be coming up from the JV ranks, but the JV team hasn't lost in forever either, so the winning tradition will most likely continue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Castle (34-4)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As runner-up last fall in Worthen Arena, the Knights had an amazing season, without a doubt. I'm positive the sting of the finals loss won't go away any time soon, and the reloading going on in this Evansville-based program will remind their opponents just that. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272388' first='Emma' last='Bruggenschmidt']</strong> is the leading attacker from a year ago, and will be the go-to on offense this fall. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='491145' first='Addisen' last='Gallentine']</strong> is a Dayton commit and is also the big middle/right-side combo most teams covet in the late stages of the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='494415' first='Emma' last='Watson']</strong> is another big middle for the Knights whose athleticism and speed will be needed to keep up with the fast and big middles she'll see in late October. Finally, Arkansas State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='458189' first='Maya' last='Joska']</strong> will return for another run at a title, this time as (hopefully) the 5-1 setter for this potent offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->