2A State Final Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Use code KypExpo2024 for savings off of your registration to our Top 250 Expo December 7!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At about 130p local time, the 2A final will start at Worthen Arena on the campus of Ball State University with the most college-committed talent in a 2A final in this author's memory. Experience, leadership and overall volleyball talent will fill the 900 square feet on each side of the court, and I am looking forward to how these two different styles compete against one another. Listed below are the teams, their rankings, their records, and four players for each team that will be key watches to their squad's success in taking home the big trophy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5 Western Boone (25-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Stars knocked off Woodlan in the semi state final last week in a sweep, but this Brownstown team is quite different. WeBo will roll out last year's 3A 1st team All-State honoree <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154814' first='Raegan' last='Durbin']</strong> (Middle Tennessee State commit) as THE primary attacker for the Stars. Her career stats are one of legend---1800+ kills, .350+, 900+ digs and 200+ aces is borderline ridiculous to be found all with one player. Will she be able to finally add a cherry on top of that illustrious career? The arrival of Zionsville transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192107' first='Sadie' last='Poeck']</strong> (Wake Forest commit) has certainly helped. Her one season with the Stars produced over 300 kills and nearly 300 digs while also hitting well over .300 on the season. This senior-heavy team wouldn't be where they are without a solid first contact, which will come from <strong>Olivia Smith</strong> more often than not. It's her second year as the libero, but she plays like she's been there longer. Senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157436' first='Janie' last='Ransom']</strong> is well past 3000 career assists, and other than being part of a 6-2 her freshman year, she's been the only setter of note for the Stars since. This combination of senior leadership and experience, to go along with that high level of volleyball talent, will make this one of the better 2A title matches in recent memory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Brownstown Central (33-3)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like fellow #1 Trinity Lutheran, the Braves of Brownstown Central have the "play anyone, any time, anywhere" mentality when it comes to schedule building. Even with one of the toughest schedules in ANY class, pounding out 30+ wins is no joke, and this squad looks to be on a mission this fall. Defeating #4 Barr-Reeve in five grueling sets last Saturday was the toughest hurdle to jump, and it took the entire roster to do so. The top attacker, an All-State honoree, is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750544' first='Sophie' last='Wischmeier'].</strong> She is the quintessential multi-sport talent that is more the norm than ever these days, even though she looks every bit the part of a collegiate mid-major volleyball recruit. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='521314' first='Kinzee' last='Dean']</strong> (Hanover commit) is an excellent and experienced complement to Sophie on the outside. Again, first contacts mean so much in the title match, and the Braves have one of the better ones in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238122' first='Jaydynn' last='Yeadon'].</strong> A 2A 2nd team All-Stater from a year ago, she should pass 1600 digs during the title match. Finally, <strong>Finley Wheeler</strong> is the junior setter that keeps opposing defenses honest, and distributes her offense well. She's already passed 2000 career assists, and might hit 3000 next fall as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->