1A Finals Preview: Who Ya Got?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Exposure Tour is coming November 30! Use code KypPD25 for a discount off of your registration!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The IHSAA State Volleyball Finals are finally here! Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home of the Indiana Pacers, will host high school volleyball for the first time ever this Saturday, and all four matchups look to be high-end matches. The 1A matchup begins at 11a, and kicks off a full day of the state's best. Below, you'll find a preview of each team, players to watch, and a prediction from us.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Records are from IHSAA.org, rankings are from indianaprepvolleyball.com and the Z-Ratings.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Faith Christian (31-4)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have been on a mission to return to the state finals since their three-set loss in the title match to the very same Cougars from a year ago. Led by First Team All-State honoree from a year ago, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462512' first='Olivia' last='Barber'],</strong> this offense prides itself on balance, balance and more balance. No player on this roster averages 3 kills per set, and keeping teams off-balance on defense has been their calling card all year long. Look for senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='386163' first='Brooklyn' last='Perry']</strong> to help keep the pressure off of Miss Barber. Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='386164' first='Caya' last='Stillings']</strong> has seemingly always been the rock the Eagles needed for a solid first contact to keep them in system. I'm really intrigued as to how the bright lights may or may not affect freshman outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='883661' first='Taylor' last='Hill'].</strong> Her ability to be yet another offensive weapon is something that the Eagles were lacking in last year's title match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Trinity Lutheran (22-11)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't get their record twisted. The Cougars, year-in and year-out, play the toughest schedule by FAR in 1A, and would challenge some 4A teams for the level of play that they see each fall. The success is in the preparation, and between the constant influx of high-level volleyball players and some of the best coaching in the state, Trinity Lutheran is always there at the end of the journey every single fall. Like most seasons, the Cougar offense goes through the middle, which is completely controlled by the Bonde sisters. Both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809837' first='Rachel' last='Bonde']</strong> and <strong>Bailey Bonde </strong>are Second Team All-State honorees from a season ago, and should be earning First Team accolades by the end of the week. Between the size, strength, shot selection and defensive capabilities, both ladies will be the focal point of any and every success that the Cougars have on Saturday. Junior libero <strong>Presley Meyer</strong> will be tasked with keeping her teammates in system, and her serve has been known to take over matches from time to time against those that don't prioritize the serve-and-pass game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PREDICTION? Cougars in three.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading -->