Top Five In 1A This Week: Senior Leadership

Photo: Prep Dig, Josiah

Kyp Harasymowycz September 17, 2024 @ 07:11 AM

<p>We're roughly halfway through our high school season, and the usual suspects (along with a couple of outliers) are starting to make their presence felt throughout their respective schedules. Here are our top five 1A programs in the state, with a senior leading the way for each.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5: Tri-County (15-1)</h2>   <p>With your lone loss to 2A #3 Benton Central, and already at double-digit wins, you get our attention. Riding an eleven match win streak, dropping only two sets in the process, the Cavaliers are looking to hit the 20-win mark quickly and put their focus on the postseason. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261049' first='Sara' last='Zarse']</strong> is a springy and effective middle who uses her speed and athleticism to beat most blocks. She's clearly the statistical leader for Tri-County, averaging five kills per set while hitting close to .500 and leading her squad in blocks, all while at 5-9.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4: Marquette Catholic (8-2)</h2>   <p>From way up north in Michigan City, the Blazers are once again putting together a solid fall campaign in volleyball. Most of these athletes are mutli-sport studs, including senior big <strong>Livia Balling.</strong> At her size (6-0) and strength, Livia does a little of everything for the Blazers, including four kills per set and over two digs per set. Her Dunes training also has her move quicker than most in her class, and has a whip of an arm to terminate regularly.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3: Lafayette Central Catholic (11-4)</h2>   <p>Why not stay north of I-70? The Knights have put together yet another strong season, aiming for a 20-win year for the umpteenth time in a row. Coach Brad always has his team ready to play any and all comers, as evidenced by only one loss to a 1A squad (Covington, #2 in 1A). Senior stalwart <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557018' first='Carley' last='Barrett']</strong> is quietly creeping towards 1000 career kills and, as a four-year starter, will be a key to leading this squad to another deep run in October and hopefully make it to Worthen Arena in November.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2: Covington (14-3)</h2>   <p>The Trojans have western Indiana locked down for the 1A schools, with all three of their losses coming to schools at least twice their size. Their second match against 2A #3 Benton Central in four days is a good test of their resiliency and work ethic, with hopes of having a better outcome than this past Saturday. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152941' first='Alex' last='Sutherlin']</strong> is a 3k/3d per set kid, meaning she's got her hand in a little bit of everything for the Trojans. She's also tops on the squad in aces, something she'll need to take advantage of tonight against the Bison if they hope to come out on top.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1: Trinity Lutheran (12-6)</h2>   <p>The gap in talent between TL and the rest of the 1A field is significant. The Cougars' schedule is a who's who of volleyball blue-bloods in the Hoosier State, making them extensively prepared for a deep run in the post season. Their victories are significant: wins over 4As Center Grove and Columbus North, both with Division I commits on each, are the biggest, while serving defending 2A state champ Muncie Burris one of their few losses is a testament to their discipline. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157945' first='Carson' last='Bowling']</strong> is the lead catalyst to this squad, as the IU Southeast (NAIA) commit uses her size and smarts to make other teams look ordinary.</p>

We're roughly halfway through our high school season, and the usual suspects (along with a couple of outliers) are starting to make their presence felt throughout their respective schedules. Here are our top five 1A programs in the state, with a senior leading the way for each.