3A Semi State Preview at Plymouth

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Use code KypExpo2024 at checkout for savings off of your registration to our Top 250 Expo on December 7!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State ranked teams are all over our previews of the semi states in each of the four classes. None have a grouping as tight as the northern half of the 3A bracket, which starts at 10am at Plymouth High School Saturday morning. Here are the teams, the matchups, what time each match starts, and multiple players that can offensively change the outcome of the match in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">10a: #6 Angola (30-4) v #7 Hammond Bishop Noll (33-3)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>63 wins between these two teams makes this early morning matchup one of the best in the state. Each team has committed kids ready to show off their talents at the next level, and all of them will be needed (along with some timely luck) to advance to the semi state final at 7p. The Hornets have had the same leading attacker all season long in junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237882' first='Maya' last='Harris']</strong> (Illinois commit), who averages 6 kps and hits over .400 as an outside. Her 31 kills against West Lafayette in an absolute barn burner of a regional proves her ability to take over a match. Going out on a limb to say that 31 is the most kills I've seen in a playoff match ever. She's also deadly from behind the baseline, and can manipulate teams from there as well. Her setter, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172318' first='Ava' last='Harris'] </strong>(Villanova commit) is also her tennis partner, and they crush it regularly in that sport too. The Warriors have a bunch of senior leadership on their side, starting with high-flying <strong>Zariah Winton.</strong> She's long, lean and fast, and can out jump just about everyone. Paired with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172325' first='Sophia' last='Nowacki']</strong> (Christian Brothers commit), these two attackers can easily shoulder an extensive offensive workload in a win-or-go-home match. Although Sophia will be seen as a libero at the next level, she's more than capable of putting balls away now for her last run in the high school post season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Approx. 12p: #8 New Castle (25-9) v #4 NorthWood (29-6)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of collegiate talent, there's no shortage of it in this match, either. I listed this (and every second) match as an "approximate" start time, but I wouldn't be surprised if this one didn't start until well after lunch, due to the level of play in the first match. The Trojans, no stranger to long post season runs, will roll out workhorse <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487338' first='Lauren' last='Wilson'] </strong>(Akron commit). Paired with youngster <strong>Cadence Armacost,</strong> the two will bring a deadly pair of attackers that are <em>averaging</em> nearly 8 kps on the season. They'll need all of that and more to bring down the balanced attack of the Panthers. That balance and a bunch of senior leadership is at the top of the lineup, starting with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192110' first='Claire' last='Payne']</strong> (Appalachian State commit) in the middle. Her size, strength and brute force she brings to the court is tough to stop. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='161657' first='Sophia' last='Barber']</strong> (Wheeling commit) and <strong>Tatum Evers</strong> are two pin-hitting seniors that are trying to make their final October run reach further into November than they ever have. The three-headed offensive monster for the Panthers averages almost 9 kps, and will keep the Trojan defense honest throughout the second semifinal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->