Top Five 3A Teams This Week: Dynamic Duos

<p>We have less than two weeks remaining before the postseason starts here in Indiana, and it's becoming increasingly clear that making it to Worthen Arena in November will take more than one individual performance. Each of the five listed below have a pair of athletes that excel in their respective skills, and would not have the accolades they've earned without each other.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1: Roncalli (23-0)</h2>   <p>It's official---the Royals have a stranglehold on the #1 spot in the state, let alone 3A. Between the big wins, the tough scheduling, and the seemingly endless supply of skills both on the court and on the bench, there's no doubt in this author's assessment of the best team in Indiana coming from the south side of Indianapolis. The Royals have dropped five sets TOTAL this season, and shouldn't drop another before the postseason. Serve receive and defense have been calling cards for Roncalli for decades, and that fact continues to this day. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='413233' first='Reagan' last='Turk']</strong> (West Virginia commit) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173244' first='Eva' last='Hurrle']</strong> (DePaul commit) are a pair of floor defenders that complement each other well, and should be the basis for raising a state-shaped trophy in early November.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2: Tri-West (22-2)</h2>   <p>The Bruins are two tough five-setters away from a perfect season of their own, including one of those losses to the Royals. With <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260995' first='Caroline' last='Ward']</strong> back and seemingly at full strength, the offense is humming on all cylinders. Pitt commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221477' first='Isabelle' last='Masten']</strong> is <em>the</em> primary attacker for this squad, but Caroline's ability to go over blocks and a full complement of role players that do their jobs well makes this team that much better for a deep postseason run.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3: Northview (26-1)</h2>   <p>With the exception of a hiccup against 4A Plainfield, the Knights are <em>this close</em> to a perfect season of their own. Although their strength of schedule is the weakest of the five teams listed here, you can't fake 26 wins, which should turn into 30 before the season is done. Running a modified 6-2 is what Northview does, so setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401476' first='Morgan' last='Oellig'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401487' first='Karsyn' last='Buck']</strong> will be tasked with the responsibility of finding attackers that aren't named Keira to keep this train rolling. Yes, Miss Lucas is impressive, but she can't be asked to do everything offensively. This pair of setters has the skill and the volleyball IQ to keep defenses guessing.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4: Bishop Noll (25-3)</h2>   <p>The Warriors from Hammond have quietly put together an impressive 25-win season, with 30 wins easily within reach before it's all said and done. All three of their losses are to 4A volleyball powers (Penn, Carroll and HSE), and their success this year is mostly due to a pair of seniors. <strong>Zariah Winton</strong> is a big and physical left side that hits a heavy ball and can terminate at will. <strong>Sophie Nowacki</strong> might be better known for her serve receive as a libero in club ball, but is part of an offensive duo for the Warriors that averages nearly eight kills per set while hitting north of .300.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5: Cathedral (15-10)</h2>   <p>Don't let the record fool you---the Fighting Irish play one of the toughest schedules in the state, 6th-toughest according to the Z-Ratings at Indiana Prep Volleyball. Playing anyone and everyone is what they're known for in all sports, let alone volleyball. That being said, in order to find success this fall, you have to start with the first contact, which brings me to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='298094' first='Annabelle' last='Hoban']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482446' first='Caroline' last='Hanchar'].</strong> Although Caroline is the primary attacker for Cathedral, she's also known for her floor defense and all-around abilities. Miss Hoban wears the libero jersey well, and the pair have already racked up over 400 digs on the season. They'll have to kick it up a notch, however, if they want to advance past the sectional in a couple of weeks.</p>

We have less than two weeks remaining before the postseason starts here in Indiana, and it's becoming increasingly clear that making it to Worthen Arena in November will take more than one individual performance. Each of the five listed below have a pair of athletes that excel in their respective skills, and would not have the accolades they've earned without each other.