Indiana 2A Preview: Braving a Class Change?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want $10 off of your registration to our Freshman or Stock Up Showcase on July 27? Use code KypDig2025 at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the things I like about the IHSAA is that they reward teams for their winning ways with a "tournament success factor"; a measurement that, if the team gets far enough, earns a promotion to the next class up from their current class. Currently, Brownstown Central are the defending runners-up in the 2A class. With another state final run, win or lose, they should earn said promotion to class 3A, which would be well-earned. I'm sure they'd like the previous statement to only include the word "win", which is a distinct possibility considering what the Braves are returning. Here's my preview and prediction of Brownstown Central's upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brownstown Central (33-4 in 2024)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Far and away the toughest schedule in class 2A, Brownstown is one of the few from southern Indiana that will play anyone, anywhere at any time. Their wins last fall are a who's who of volleyball royalty---Providence (4A, twice), Trinity Lutheran (1A champ), Floyd Central (4A, made the semi state), Silver Creek (3A, twice, made the semi state), Tecumseh (2A, twice), Tri-West (3A, made the semi state) and Barr-Reeve (2A, made the semi state), just to name a few. The schedule is well-set for deep runs, PLURAL, for the state championship, and the program itself is a blue-blood of its own. This year's strong upperclass should continue to lead, even with the graduation of 30% of its offense and their libero. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839883' first='Sophie' last='Wischmeier']</strong> is a six-rotation athlete that can hit from anywhere and do anything needed of an outside that should never come out of the match. Fellow senior <strong>Brailey Teipen</strong> should do damage from the pins as well, although her strength is on the right side for both attacking AND blocking. Junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='636815' first='Claire' last='Brock']</strong> brings much-needed size to the Braves offense and defense, and should be a nice outlet to have when the defense keys in on Sophie. Senior setter <strong>Finley Wheeler </strong>returns for one more campaign, with over 2100 career assists already in hand. She has a legitimate possibility of dishing out 3000 career assists before the playoffs begin. If I were to guess, I might put <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720971' first='Alex' last='Davidson']</strong> in the special jersey, as her extensive three-rotation DS work has earned her the spot over the years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction: Another run to the final? It is completely possible for these Braves to pull it off.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With exactly ONE 2A loss last season, in the state final to Western Boone, this squad has been counting the days before the start of this season. With the kids coming back, the amount of athletes that get high level club training, and the understanding of a volleyball blue blood built into the chemistry of the program, Brownstown Central is fully prepared to make another run at the 2A title. Looking at what Barr-Reeve brings back, the Braves might need to look for one more attacker for a bit more offense, but that position will definitely settle itself by the time mid-October comes. If there's a repeat of last year's epic state semifinal match, you can be sure that I'll be there to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->