Top Teams In 2A This Week: Both Phases Of The Game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, we have teams with a ton of wins, a high level of stats, and all kinds of athleticism. What we DON'T see a lot of is balance and, in today's case, a balance of offense AND defense. Today's top five in Class 2A have a solid mix of offense and defense, which should propel each of these programs to a consistent season and, hopefully, a deep run in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1: Brownstown Central (20-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a major gap between the Braves and the field of Class 2A programs. Wins in all four classes of teams (and no losses within their own class) has propelled BC to the top spot this week. Two All-State honorees from a season ago have made things much easier for the coaching staff at Brownstown Central. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750544' first='Sophie' last='Wischmeier']</strong> and her four kills per set pace the offense, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238122' first='Jaydynn' last='Yeadon']</strong> adds five digs per set at the libero position. Combining all of the skill and athleticism with by FAR the toughest strength of schedule in Class 2A makes the Braves the odds-on favorite to win it all in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2: Wapahani (20-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders might have something to say about my placing the Braves in the catbird seat, so to speak, as they are built similarly to BC. A primary attacker exists on the pin, and her name is <strong>Sophia Beeson.</strong> She also adds four kills per set, just like Sophie listed above. How about a solid libero? Check, and her name is <strong>Emily Luce</strong> who brings her own five digs per set and a solid base for serve receive. The Raiders also have zero 2A losses on their schedule, and share a similar win-loss record. That SOS, though, might separate the good from the great, as this top pairing might be the state final we need at Worthen in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3: Benton Central (15-3)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bison, regardless of which class they're placed in, seem to always hang out in the top five every year for quite some time now. Western Kentucky commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260994' first='Calista' last='Foster']</strong> is the main cog in the Benton Central offense, and her four kills per set (plus her exceptional all-around game) is second to none in 2A. Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260992' first='Bella' last='Widmer']</strong> can pass half the court and is well acquainted with high-level play in club, so the pressure of success won't break her. I would love to see this program in Worthen in November, but Wapahani might have too many pieces to account for in the northern half of the draw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4: Southwood (14-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights are the last undefeated 2A school in the state, and for good reason. All-State honoree <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='494521' first='Shania' last='Rhamy']</strong> is one of a gang of sophomores that run this program, and her All-American status last club season proves it. Along with those sophomores is a myriad of defenders that can all be liberi at the next level, but the focus should be on <strong>Hali Pershing, </strong>who is the model of ball control for Southwood. Undefeated is one thing, but this squad has dropped exactly one SET this entire season, to 1A #1 Trinity Lutheran. I'm not completely sold on their strength of schedule to prepare for October (the weakest by nearly fifty places among this group of five), but the cream always rises, and Southwood will again after dominating 1A last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5: Tecumseh (18-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These Braves are at it again! Women's sports at Tecumseh is, top to bottom, the most complete collection of athleticism and multi sport dominance---so much so that it's hard to overstate. State titles in softball and basketball in recent memory, along with an epically tough volleyball program, make the Braves one of the blue-bloods of Indiana volleyball. The Braves are so balanced that I'll name <em>three</em> to this list. <strong>Katelyn Marx</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='300205' first='Shae' last='Bailey']</strong> both contribute three kills per set, while libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241703' first='Lydia' last='Wilson']</strong> adds four digs per set, making this the best balanced team of the bunch. Their only loss in 2A is to Brownstown Central, which sounds like a foreshadowing if there ever was such a thing for Indiana volleyball. Some pundits (including myself) predicted that replacing two All-State honorees would be tough, but the Braves have hung around all season and proved that they don't rebuild---they reload.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->