Preseason 4A Top Five

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Use code KypDig2024 for $10 off of your registration for either the Stock Up Showcase or the Freshman Showcase August 3!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's that time of year where the summer leagues are just about completed and school starts this week in some pockets of Indiana. In reality, sanctioned scrimmages start in less than two weeks, meaning the regular season is also two weeks away. Here are our preseason top five teams for Class 4A in the Hoosier State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1) Hamilton Southeastern</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a few reasons why this is the safe pick for tops on this list. First, the Royals haven't lost since the opening match of 2022. Second, a solid portion of HSE's starters return from the championship match last fall. Three, here are the COMMITTED players for the class of '25: OH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153107' first='Lindsey' last='Mangelson']</strong> (Mississippi State), S <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172759' first='Ava' last='Hunter']</strong> (Loyola-Chicago), DS/OH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153105' first='Kaylyn' last='Christy']</strong> (Southwest Oklahoma) and DS/L <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152932' first='Bella' last='Dafforn']</strong> (Mercer). And that's just the upcoming seniors. The junior class has three commits as well; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261036' first='Madison' last='Miles']</strong> (Illinois), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='229027' first='Merritt' last='Sliwa']</strong> (Ball State) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210189' first='Bre' last='Morgan'] </strong>(Memphis) are a trio of high flyers that can put balls away from anywhere. There is so much talent, firepower and experience at all positions that the practice gym might be more competitive than some of their actual matches. And until someone can prove they can knock off the Royals when it counts (read: in the post-season), they stay here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2) Castle</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is another safe pick this early in the season simply because of their finish from a year ago. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='458189' first='Maya' last='Joska']</strong> (Arkansas State) and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='491145' first='Addisen' last='Gallentine']</strong> (Dayton) are two senior leaders that return from their runner-up finish a season ago, but it will take more than those two to make another late run in October. Needless to say, aside from maybe #4 on this list, there won't be much coming through the southern half of the 4A draw to give them pause on their way to Worthen. Yes, you still have to play the matches. But with the history and maturity that comes with Castle volleyball, the preparation to get there again is a definite possibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3) Homestead</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a perfect spot for Homestead for a couple of reasons. For one, libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='334588' first='Madelyn' last='Sipe']</strong> (Eastern Michigan) as the first contact is a huge bonus for anyone trying to make a deep run in the playoffs. Two, put a hammer like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192114' first='Addy' last='Tindall'] </strong>(Purdue, #1 recruit in the class of '25) on your squad, and the sky is the limit. Third, six kills per set just graduated from Bellmont, who just so happens to be in the same sectional as Homestead. Add <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378468' first='Savy' last='Walker']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192113' first='Ava' last='Tindall'] </strong>in the middle, put <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378034' first='Kate' last='Jacquay']</strong> as your setter, and you have a ton more returning to a 26-10 team from a year ago than a lot of programs have coming back. Is this the year of the Spartan?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4) Center Grove</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm positive the Trojans would love another shot at Castle in the regional final. The good news for the Red and White is that both of the leading attackers from last fall's regional title match return in the form of pin attacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173243' first='Ellen' last='Zapp']</strong> (Oakland) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173248' first='Reese' last='Dunkle']</strong> (Stanford). In contrast, Castle graduates their top two attackers from that match. With a bunch of youth returning at contacts one and two, plus a ton of attacking talent coming up from the JV ranks, it seems likely that this rematch might actually happen. But you have to get there, first and foremost.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5) Zionsville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I waffled a ton on this #5 spot. Providence, Floyd Central, Carroll, Bellmont---there are so many to choose from, but I picked the Eagles due to what returns. Pin attacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192107' first='Sadie' last='Poeck']</strong> (Wake Forest) and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172333' first='Claudia' last='Antcliff']</strong> return from a year ago to lead this flock, while rising juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221478' first='Josie' last='Imes']</strong> (Alabama) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512366' first='Elli' last='Strecker']</strong> (Louisville) are massive arm talents that cannot be taken lightly. Senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261043' first='Mya' last='Cunningham']</strong> will also be key in distributing a balanced offense and keeping defenses guessing. The elephant in the room is massive, though---they share a sectional with two-time defending state champ HSE. Is this the team to finally knock them off in October?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->