Top Five Teams In 4A Going Into The Postseason

Sectional week technically started last night, with nearly 40 matches from around the state starting the one-and-done portion of the schedule. Tomorrow is the next day of matches in the tournament, with three of the top five 4A squads seeing action. By the end of this week, only 64 teams will remain (out of 369), 16 in each class. What's even more intriguing to this author is that no more than four of the five listed below will survive sectional week. An exciting time, to be sure, for volleyball fans everywhere. We'll include records, who's next on each team's schedule, one committed player and one non-committed player from each team that will make a difference in the postseason.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5: Crown Point (26-3)</h2>   The Bulldogs enter the last top five of the season sweeping their last three matches. Ready for the postseason and the pressure that comes with it is none other than Purdue commit [player_tooltip player_id='236692' first='Elle' last='Schara']. This young lady has done just about everything she can at CP over the years and, at nearly 6 kills per set, 4 digs per set, hitting well over .300 and also being a primary passer, will be the reason the Bulldogs go far this October and November. I'm also looking at size on this squad, which will be much needed to go far. Junior middle [player_tooltip player_id='489978' first='Kayliyah' last='Deshields'] will need to be the blocking force she has been all season, and add just a bit more. Her size, length and athleticism will definitely have opposing attackers thinking twice about going angle.   Next match: 10/16 @ Lake Central (19-10)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4: Warsaw (27-4)</h2>   The Tigers are on an absolute heater coming into the postseason, winning their last eight in a row. The future definitely looks bright for this group, not only for this season but for their future as well, as their roster is stacked with college-bound talent as well as size and athleticism. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='260998' first='Ellie' last='Hepler'] (Indiana commit) is the anchor that helps this team go, and will take each and every first contact when she can to keep her squad in system. As for the size I mentioned before, look no further than [player_tooltip player_id='827662' first='Reagan' last='Edwards']. This over-six-foot stud of an athlete makes teams think twice when attacking against her, while her offense is hard to defend because of all of the different ways she can attack. Probably a right side at the next level, she can terminate from either pin with pace.   Next match: 10/16 v Northridge (22-9)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3: Hamilton Southeastern (28-3)</h2>   Winners of their last three via sweep, the Royals are ready for their closeup and annual run in the postseason. I don't really count their five-set loss to #12 Center Grove as a bad loss, as they played that match missing multiple starters. No matter, as they got all of them back at their match against a feisty Franklin Central squad to end their season and wrap up the uber-tough Hoosier Crossroads Conference title. Things don't get much easier, however, as the Royals play in the toughest sectional in the state. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='261036' first='Madison' last='Miles'] (Illinois commit) to lead the way offensively, as she's more that capable of carrying this squad when needed. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='286983' first='Maye' last='McConnell'] is still looking for a home in the fall of ‘26, and is the key to HSE's success in serve receive.   Next match: v 10/16 @ #16 Zionsville (19-11)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2: Westfield (23-1)</h2>   Recent entrants into the MaxPreps National Top 25, the Shamrocks are as ready as they're going to be, with their lone loss a five-set thriller to #3 HSE. Multiple college-bound athletes are all over this roster, but we'll talk the most about SIUE-committed [player_tooltip player_id='261022' first='Georgia' last='Bresnahan']. As a primary passing outside hitter for the ‘Rocks, she's responsible for multiple areas of success, both defensively and offensively. Strong, athletic and springy, Georgia is the primary attacker that a highly-ranked team requires to win it all. If you're looking for a solid three-rotation pin attacker, with size and athleticism to burn, look no further than [player_tooltip player_id='482721' first='Paige' last='Rudolph']. She's a physical attacker that can hit all of the angles and is a nice complement to Miss Bresnahan, keeping teams honest on defense when she's in the front row.   Next match: Winner of #3 HSE (28-3) and #16 Zionsville (19-11) on 10/18   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1: Fort Wayne Carroll (31-0)</h2>   The Chargers finally lost……their first set of the season in their last match of the season against 3A #1 Roncalli. It's my guess that every team in 4A will want footage of set #2 in their four-set win over the Royals, as it wasn't close (25-14). The Chargers recovered just fine, thankyouverymuch, and dispatched the Indy Southsiders in the last two sets in less than an hour. [player_tooltip player_id='227184' first='Bailey' last='Sinish'] (IU Indy commit) is THE primary attacker for this squad, and is responsible for so much of the Chargers' success over the years. This group is such a complementary roster that is so well-rounded that it's hard to pick just one other athlete on the uncommitted side. Defensive-minded [player_tooltip player_id='228833' first='Addi' last='Shippy'] has a lockdown mentality in the middle, with over 250 career blocks while also hitting over .300 in her four years. Hard to believe she's still available, but if you need a lengthy, athletic and quick middle for the fall of ‘26, you could do a whole lot worse than Addi.   Next match: 10/18 v Northrup (10-20)

Sectional week technically started last night, with nearly 40 matches from around the state starting the one-and-done portion of the schedule. Tomorrow is the next day of matches in the tournament, with three of the top five 4A squads seeing action. By the end of this week, only 64 teams will remain (out of 369), 16 in each class. What's even more intriguing to this author is that no more than four of the five listed below will survive sectional week. An exciting time, to be sure, for volleyball fans everywhere. We'll include records, who's next on each team's schedule, one committed player and one non-committed player from each team that will make a difference in the postseason.