Top Five Teams In 3A Right Now

<p><em>Want a subscription to PrepDig? Use code Kyp30 for a deep discount off of your national subscription!</em></p>   <p>We spent yesterday talking about the top five teams in 4A this week, which had very few surprises among the five. Today's edition has five squads that have a couple of surprises looking to crash the 3A party among the blue-bloods of volleyball here in Indiana. Here they are, with records and big matches attached.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5: Hamilton Heights, 10-3, v Fishers on 9/8</h2>   <p>The Huskies have had an exceptional start to their season, already logging ten wins. The REAL test should come when they host the Tigers on Monday, September 8. Fishers is a traditional 4A power, the Huskies should be tested from the first whistle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301139' first='Macie' last='Smith']</strong> (West Virginia commit) leads all attackers on the offense, and does a little of everything that a primary passing outside should do. It's up to <strong>Sierra Bramel,</strong> a senior setter, to ensure that Macie's sets are more than hittable for a deep run into October. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586725' first='Addie' last='Doak']</strong> (Marshall commit) anchors the defense and is fully capable of passing half the court to take pressure off of her fellow passers.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4: Guerin Catholic, 8-1, defeated #5 Hamilton Heights last night in five sets</h2>   <p>It's been a minute since we've seen Guerin have relevancy in the volleyball world. Well, this is certainly MORE than relevancy, as the Golden Eagles have raced out to an 8-1 record, with a win in hand over our 3A #5 Hamilton Heights last night. Iowa commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828399' first='Emery' last='Cardinal']</strong> is a massive presence in the middle that can intimidate and dominate a match in a hurry. She leads this squad in kills, hitting percentage and blocks. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835282' first='Maddie' last='Fritch'],</strong> an athletic primary passing outside, keeps the pressure off of Emery with her dynamic play and all-around prowess. A pleasant surprise on this roster is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='883174' first='Reese' last='Canada'],</strong> a freshman whose three kills per set and solid six-rotation play makes her look much older than a freshman. This three-headed attack should propel the Golden Eagles far, as there are very few in 3A that have this much offense on the roster.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3: Angola, 6-0, @ #2 West Noble on 9/4</h2>   <p>We've already seen some runners-up in other classes fall back to average after last year's finals, yet the Hornets keep on keepin' on. Undefeated early this season, Angola is led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237882' first='Maya' last='Harris'],</strong> the do-everything outside committed to Illinois. Her ability to take over a match is, well, unmatched in Indiana. With over six kills per set while hitting .350, she can put balls away from everywhere and at any time. What really sets her apart is her serving, as she's already logged 50 (!!!) aces in her six matches. I can't think of too many athletes that are responsible for as much (8 points per set?!?) as Maya. She's not the only attacker, however. One of the knocks on Angola at last year's 3A final was the lack of another attacker. Insert <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834202' first='Khloe' last='Stanner'],</strong> who adds 3 kills per set herself. This two-headed offensive beast is set by senior <strong>Aspen Sutton,</strong> who looks small but plays much bigger than one would expect.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2: West Noble, 9-1, win over Northridge last night avenged their only loss on 8/23</h2>   <p>The Chargers have a young but skilled squad, and have a nice pair of attackers to lead the way. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553812' first='Elyse' last='Mead']</strong> is the six rotation kid that has strength, power and skill to carry a program. Her 5kps/4dps combination as a primary passer while hitting a solid .250 is impressive for any outside, let alone a sophomore. She's paired in the front row by middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='811362' first='Ava' last='Delong'],</strong> who might be more of a basketball kid, but certainly knows how to block all attackers with that b-ball background. Their match on 9/4, when they host #3 Angola, should be a major test to where they might be among the elite of 3A.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1: Roncalli, 8-0, tonight v Cathedral and tomorrow @ #4 Guerin Catholic</h2>   <p>I can't think of too many programs that can handle the schedule the Royals put together year-in and year-out. It makes sense, though, as this is a well-trained blue-blood of a program that hasn't lost since their last match of 2023. So much college-ready talent shines up and down this roster, starting with lead attacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254827' first='Lydia' last='Stahley'].</strong> The SEC-bound Missouri commit is long, lean and can hit high and hard from everywhere. She's got a solid counterpart on the other pin, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221342' first='Lily' last='Jones']</strong> (Central Michigan commit), whose physicality and upper body strength propel the team around her. I love multiyear starting libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809451' first='Reagan' last='Turk'],</strong> who's committed to West Virginia. She's the consummate teammate and libero that coaches covet, and will be a nice addition to the passing stable at the Big XII program.</p>

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