Top Five 2A Teams This Week: Unsung Heroines

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We spend a little bit too much time talking about the big time players in general. Sports stations exist to talk about superstars ad nauseam. But what about the glue kids? What about the kids that do a little of everything without all of the accolades? Today's edition of our class top five series gives you just that----the unsung heroine that gets the job done in more ways than one without all of the attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1: Brownstown Central (22-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although the gap between #1 and #2 in 2A is narrowing, the Braves have a clear lead that has been built upon a tough-as-nails schedule and a bunch of big time wins. With their only losses being to 3A top five Cathedral and 4A top five Floyd Central, this squad is more than prepared for a deep run in October. To make it to November, however, sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='636815' first='Claire' last='Brock']</strong> will have to impose her will on opponents at the net. Her team lead in blocks, coupled with her 6-1 frame, is unmatched in 2A, and should be a solid deterrent to anyone remotely thinking of trying to hit low angle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2: Southwood (20-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last remaining undefeated team in 2A hasn't dropped a set since their win over 1A #1 Trinity Lutheran all the way back on September 7. The only reason I have them in this spot instead of #1 is because of that strength of schedule. Although this team is FILLED with high-level, Munciana-trained kids, I'm not completely convinced the Knights have seen any one team as well-rounded as the Braves listed above. That being said, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239310' first='Grace' last='Drake']</strong> does a little of everything on every team she's a part of. For Southwood, the six-footer is tops in hitting percentage, #2 in kills, #2 in blocks, and is a major part of the 6-2 that the Knights run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3: Benton Central (21-4)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bison have been cranking out high-level volleyball rosters for some time now, and with Boiler Juniors having a major stamp on the Lafayette area, the training has increased their level of play significantly. Like any other team at Boiler Juniors, passing will be key, so look no further than libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260992' first='Bella' last='Widmer'].</strong> Her team lead in digs and ability to receive serve on half the court has kept BC in more matches than I can count over the years, while her lethal serve scores points at will on opposing passers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4: Tecumseh (22-6)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set of Braves on this list is yet another 20+-win program that churns out high-level female athletics year after year after year. I am always amazed at how much athletic acuity exists in every team at Tecumseh, and I wonder if I can steal a little of their water to give to my OWN kids. Their relentless nature and competitiveness seeps through their every fiber, which includes kids like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192102' first='Ava' last='Kissel'].</strong> So much of the Braves' success runs through her, as she averages 3 kps, .350+, and is tops on the roster in both blocks and aces, all while being 5-9. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5: Barr-Reeve (23-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Tecumseh's major rival, the Vikings. Their match at Tecumseh on October 10 should wrap up the regular season with a classic again, and will be a big bragging point moving into the postseason. Kids like <strong>Hannah Bledsoe</strong> know the meaning of this rivalry, and have seen every iteration of it in every sport. The senior middle blocker is closing in on 100 blocks this season, while also being tough from behind the service line. Her combination of size and skill is rare in this class in the middle, and she should be a major part of their success should they get out of their sectional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->