Indiana 3A Preview: Who Are The 30-Win Knights?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want $10 off of your registration to our July 27 Stock Up Showcase? Use code KypDig2025 at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An enigma of 3A volleyball, the Northview Knights have always---and I truly mean ALWAYS---had a ton of wins every single season. Last season can be included in that evaluation, which had wins over larger schools Brebeuf, Fishers, Plainfield, Perry Meridian, Bloomington South, Terre Haute North AND South, and also volleyball powers Tecumseh, and Linton-Stockton (twice). They're almost forced to have this tough of a non conference schedule, since their conference and sectional aren't exactly the most competitive. That being said, a ton walked out the door due to graduation on both offense and defense. Finding their identity after those two losses will be in the Knights' best interests moving forward. So, who are the 30-win Knights? Here is my preview and prediction of Northview.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Northview (30-2 in 2024)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two. The number of losses Northview had last fall is second-lowest in all of 3A to only the undefeated state champ, Roncalli. For years, Northview has been the pride of western Indiana volleyball, always having a toughness about them that is unmatched in their immediate area. Gone, however, is their top attacker to Valparaiso, a main piece of the Knights' success over the past few years. Graduating their libero is also a massive blow to this program, as there hasn't really been another wearing the special jersey for them in quite some time. Between the two, 2000 kills and 3600 digs just left town. So, who are the Knights? The top returning attacker is spitfire <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401487' first='Karsyn' last='Buck'],</strong> who is a nice six-rotation kid to have as part of your senior leadership. Fellow senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='488299' first='Brinley' last='Deakins']</strong> is the top returning defender according to numbers, and could easily step in and be libero for this squad. Younger kids coming up the ranks include <strong>Alexis Strahla,</strong> another six-rotation athlete on the outside, and <strong>Kaylee Krause,</strong> a bit of size in the middle that is also the top blocker returning from a year ago. Yet, the question remains---who ARE these Knights? Can they get another 30 wins? Will they struggle learning what life is like with different kids in leadership positions?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction: Wins shouldn't be the problem. The problem is meeting Roncalli in the regional, who will be in 3A again this fall. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the unlucky draw that eventually comes for all teams that play as part of IHSAA volleyball. Since playoff teams are not seeded in any sport, teams like Northview get a pat on the back, a "thanks for coming out", and sent home a few rounds earlier than they should have. Regardless, this is a team that should treat their entire schedule as a precursor to the regional, which will be against Roncalli. That's their state championship. Once past the regional, anything can happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->