Indiana 3A Preview: Fighting Irish Still Fighting?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want $10 off of your registration to our Freshman and Stock Up Showcases on July 27? Use code KypDig2025 at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final three teams I'll preview all reside in the southern half of the 3A draw, and all three are formidable foes both last season and this upcoming season. Today's edition puts the focus squarely on Cathedral, whose top-ten schedule and outstanding returning cast should help propel the Fighting Irish to heights they haven't seen in some time. Here's my preview, along with a prediction of their season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cathedral (22-11 in 2024)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking at the record, someone from outside of Indiana might think that Cathedral is just an above-average team with an above-average history. On the contrary, the Fighting Irish play one of the toughest schedules in any class to prepare them for what is (hopefully) a deep run into October and November. The history is obviously there. But what do they have coming back? Plenty, with athletes from the JV ranks also coming up to fill the gaps. Georgetown commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='355575' first='Avery' last='Lewis']</strong> is a lengthy middle that excels with her speed and springy nature, beating a lot of bigger middles because of her athleticism alone. Fellow middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443864' first='Chloe' last='Moss']</strong> is one of my favorite recruits in the class of '27, an undersized and under appreciated middle that is lightning fast, even quicker in transition than Miss Lewis can be. Speaking of that athletic class of '27, rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482446' first='Caroline' last='Hanchar']</strong> is the top attacker from a season ago, and will continue to show off her exceptional all-around play from the first whistle in August. Fellow pin attacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='327227' first='Hayden' last='Mandsager']</strong> has really shown out this club season. Her high right side attack is heavy, terminal, and tough to defend against. This spring really brought out her best ball I've ever seen her play, and should be a major factor for extending Cathedral's season beyond the regional. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226502' first='Mia' last='Stubbs'],</strong> albeit a small setter, is still accurate and fast at the setting position, along with defending her position better than most. I also like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='298094' first='Annabelle' last='Hoban']</strong> in the special jersey. She's a high energy spitfire of a libero that sacrifices her body regularly to keep the ball in play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction: Get past the regional, and anything is possible. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the few teams in any class to bring back the great majority of their roster from last fall, the Fighting Irish have a legit shot at competing for a state title this fall. I would LOVE to see this squad go head-to-head with Roncalli in the postseason, as the Royals were rarely tested last fall. Cathedral has the players, the athleticism, and the high level of club training required to make a deep run into November. If---and this is a big if---they make it to the semi state, where Roncalli looms, the winner of that match wins the state title. Full stop. Of the teams in 3A, only the Fighting Irish have the tools and the talent to knock them off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->