All-Star Sectionals, 4A: Sectional 8 at Westfield

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the sectional draws complete throughout the state for the volleyball tournament, I thought I'd take a little time to make an all-star team out of each of the toughest sectionals. For 4A, the choice was simple---sectional #8 at Westfield has some of the best volleyball among the 399 teams eligible to play next week. I've chosen 11 players that I would put together on an all-star team that could rival any other. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday, October 17 @ 6p: Fishers (18-13) v Noblesville (18-8)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This might be the toughest opening round matchup in all of 4A. These two teams went five earlier this season, with the Tigers pulling it out on senior leadership from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172316' first='Ava' last='Gutt'],</strong> a transfer from Hamilton Southeastern. She's a strong pin attacker that hits with purpose and pace. Her counterpart for the Millers is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192104' first='Chloe' last='Macias'],</strong> an IU Indianapolis commit who can hit from anywhere and made mincemeat of 4A top ten Center Grove over the weekend. Both are mirror images of each other, and both should me major factors in their teams' success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Winner @ 4A #11 Westfield (19-8) on Saturday, October 19 @ 11a</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As if the match itself was tough enough, the winner gets the reward of playing the Shamrocks at their place first thing Saturday morning. Westfield has youth and skill in droves both on the court and on the bench, with the most obvious physical leader being <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443848' first='Carsyn' last='Comer'],</strong> a Munciana kid who will play up with the Samurai this coming spring. I'm also a fan of libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='483957' first='Kendyl' last='Strack'],</strong> another young and up-and-coming defender in Hamilton County that will be needed to anchor both serve receive and defense if they wish to continue on to the sectional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday, October 17 @ approx. 8p: Carmel (7-16) v Zionsville (15-14)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Greyhounds have played inspired ball recently, now winning their last three in a row. I was in attendance for their win at Plainfield last week, and was impressed by their relentless effort and positive attitude---something I hadn't seen in previous Carmel teams in recent years. Youth is definitely the theme for Carmel, led by sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489598' first='London' last='Evans'].</strong> I got a chance to evaluate her at our Stock Up Showcase a couple of months back, and came away impressed with her aggression and how easy she makes this game look. For Carmel, she's the "glue"---she sets for three rotations in the back row and attacks on the right side in the front row. The Eagles might be too tall a task, literally, for the Greyhounds. Led by Louisville commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512366' first='Elli' last='Strecker'],</strong> Zionsville has size for days, and can make hitting against them a nightmare for undisciplined attackers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172333' first='Claudia' last='Antcliff']</strong> is a solid defender and serve receive queen behind that massive block, and will be most needed if they wish to advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Winner v 4A #1 Hamilton Southeastern (27-2) on Saturday, October 19 @ approx. 1p</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The winner of the second match gets rewarded with the two-time defending state champion Royals on Saturday afternoon. There are so many weapons for HSE that it's hard to narrow down this list to just four, so here's my attempt. Setter and Loyola-Chicago commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172759' first='Ava' last='Hunter']</strong> is the clear leader of this bunch. As a freshman, it was hard to imagine this young lady holding a leadership position with any team, but now her maturity and athleticism has shone through to the tune of state titles and multiple awards over the years. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='286983' first='Maye' last='McConnell'] </strong>is an exceptional first-contact person to have, on this or any team in this sectional. With the first two contacts taken care of, look no further than pin attackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153107' first='Lindsey' last='Mangelson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261036' first='Madison' last='Miles'].</strong> Lindsey, a Mississippi State commit, is an absolute hammer, and has been the main catalyst at each of her three seasons (22, 23, 24) on varsity. Madison, an Illinois commit, looks lithe yet is anything but. Her athleticism and jumping ability makes most blocks look obsolete, and has no problem shouldering the offensive load when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->