Top Five 2A Teams Right Now: Week Four Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want a subscription to PrepDig? Use code Kyp30 for a deep discount off of your national subscription!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With half of the classes covered for our Top Five series, we move on to the smaller schools who still pack quite a punch. Here are five teams with a few players each that have really caught our attention after three weeks of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5: Burris (9-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Owls, as predicted, have started off this season hot, with their lone loss to 1A defending champion Trinity Lutheran. Solid training and relentless work ethic are major parts of this program, as has been for decades. <strong>JaMaria Jackson </strong>is a high-flying middle that owns the net when she's in the front row and can out-athletic anyone she goes against. <strong>Emi Cukrowicz,</strong> normally seen as a defensive specialist, is attacking away at unsuspecting blocks, all while being a solid and consistent six-rotation passer. Combined, they are responsible for 7 kills while hitting around .300. The Owls should REALLY be tested when they host 2A #4 Wapahani tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4: Wapahani (10-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of those Raiders, every win they've had this season has been via the sweep, with their lone losses outside of 2A (3A Delta and 4A Yorktown). The Raiders might not look like they have a ton of size, but they certainly have athleticism and skill up and down this roster. A trio of seniors lead the way in multiple categories, starting with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835724' first='Marin' last='Hopkins'].</strong> Her nearly 4 kills per set while hitting over .300 makes her the primary target on offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='516898' first='Cali' last='Parker'],</strong> all 5'1” of her, is an exceptional libero and is active in both serve receive and floor defense. <strong>Caroline Huntzinger,</strong> the tallest of the three at 5'7”, runs this offense to high efficiency. Wapahani has never, in my experience, wowed people with their size. However, their overall skill and athleticism overwhelms teams with a balanced approach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3: Barr-Reeve (13-3)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These Vikings (one of two in this poll) are riding a 12-match win streak after their loss to the other Vikings, North Posey, on August 23. We talked about some of their attackers in last week's column, so let's focus on the first two contacts. <strong>Lora Graber </strong>is a solid and quick libero that can pass half the court in serve receive if you let her. Setter <strong>Hallie Knepp,</strong> one of the setters in the 6-2 with a last name of Knepp, has great hands and makes solid choices in the offense. Between B-R, NP and Tecumseh, the three aren't as interchangeable as you think, and any of the three could come out of southwestern Indiana in the 2A draw in late October. For now, however, these Vikings are playing like they're on a mission after that loss to…..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2: North Posey (8-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>…..these Vikings. North Posey has one loss in Indiana to 4A Evansville North last night, which shouldn't hurt either their strength of schedule nor their ranking here. Their other loss was to a team from Illinois, which again, doesn't hurt our view of them. As long as <strong>Sage Mueller</strong> continues to put up her 4 kills per set, this offense has enough complementary pieces to beat almost anyone in 2A. I'm also looking to <strong>Mallory Luigs</strong> in the libero position to anchor serve receive for these Vikings. She's also a solid senior leader who can calm and control the underclassmen on this roster to the point of being a coach on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1: Southwood (8-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With no losses to any 2A school and winners of 6 in a row, the Knights can claim the mythical title of #1 in 2A this week. Speaking of that schedule, it's a tough one—-their two losses are to 4A top five Crown Point and 3A #1 Cathedral, while they feature wins against 4A power Fishers and 1A defending champ Trinity Lutheran. A bunch of youthful athleticism is all over this roster, starting with a group of juniors that should be great this year and next. Of course, this team goes nowhere without Kentucky commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='494521' first='Shania' last='Rhamy'],</strong> the do-everything outside that is the focal point of the offense. Junior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807071' first='Presley' last='Kroft']</strong> has a stranglehold on the libero jersey, and is quick and dependable in her play. Junior setter <strong>Adi Deaton</strong> has a ton of weapons to set beyond Shania, making this offense hum on all eight cylinders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->