First Round 4A Matchups We Love

The Prep Network app is now live! Go download it at prepdig.com/app for all of your player profiles and news! Use code Kyp30 for 30% off of your annual subscription!   The sectional draws were completed on Sunday evening and as always there's controversy. Being the only state in the country that does a blind draw for the postseason, the entire regular season is thrown out the window for true one-and-done vibes starting next week. Here are three round one matchups we like in class 4A, and the players involved that will make a major impact in their respective matches.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#8 Carmel (18-5) v #2 Westfield (21-2)</h2>   Of course we're going to start with the toughest sectional in the state. Having two teams in the top ten statewide is tough enough, but for them to face each other in the first round? Very on-brand with Indiana postseason. Each squad has players to watch:    The College of Charleston commit has made a major investment in herself by switching to the outside, and it has paid off handsomely. As a big and physical left-side attacker, Lila's ability to go OVER blocks is her calling card, and she does it with ease. She's going to need to carry a big portion of the offensive load for the Greyhounds if they have any chance of knocking off the Rocks.     The Marquette commit is a silky smooth and aggressive setter that is exceptional at finding the right hitters at the right time. Well, there's no time like NOW for her skills to show out the best, as keeping defenses honest is what got Carmel this far.     The #1 recruit in the class of ‘27 has been here before; tough sectional opener, toughest road to state, expectations high. This time, though, it feels a bit different. The Louisville commit has actual pieces around her that don't require the big middle to carry everything offensively. And with her size, speed and jumping ability, every play will involve defense being forced to account for her, opening up options for her fellow Rocks.     Under no circumstances would this season end up as successful for Westfield without Paige's team-lead in kills. Her thumping presence, combined with a leadership that is much needed, should keep the Rocks in each and every point she's on the floor.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Avon (20-9) v #9 Plainfield (22-5)</h2>   This is a rematch from a couple of weeks ago where Avon played out of their minds and pulled off the five-set thriller. Serving tough and keeping service pressure on the primary passers will be key in the Orioles repeating the tall task, but it would have been nice to see this matchup later in the sectional. Here are four players to watch in this match:    The realistic #1 option on offense for the Orioles, Avery is a high-flying and heavy-hitting pin attacker that can get streaky with her point-producing. Most of Avon's successes over the years are because of Miss Walter, and this match will be no different.     One of the more physically active liberi in any graduating class, the UCLA commit has been a stalwart for the Orioles in serve receive and on defense since her freshman season. In order for Avon to continue the upset train against Plainfield, Stella will need to keep her squad in system.     The do-everything for Plainfield will be where the Quakers will look for leadership, both physical and emotional, as we get into the later part of October. UCLA is getting a workhorse of a player in Miss Utterback, and her constant, consistent play over the years proves it.     The Northern Illinois commit is a “Jane of all trades” when it comes to volleyball. Spending a good portion of her early career in the middle jumping over people and outspeeding them on slides and in transition, Marley's adjustment to the outside this fall has been a breath of fresh air for the Quakers. Even when things didn't go as planned in the early part of their match against #8 Carmel last week, her moving BACK to the middle proved essential in their four-set win over the Greyhounds.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Evansville North (21-2) @ Castle (19-10)</h2>   This is an old-school southwestern Indiana matchup if there ever was one. Now add that it's a first-round match, and a home match for the Knights to boot, and one can imagine how loud it'll be on Thursday. Here are some kids to watch:    The Butler commit in the Freels clan is a high-flying, hard-hitting primary attacker for the Huskies, and will be asked to do the same on Thursday next week. Her KiVA training should take over the match, and will be much-needed if North wants to advance past this tough first-round matchup.     The Troy commit, another springy Freels clan member, is the 1A of the 1-1A punch on offense that the Huskies can bring. Different yet similar from Madeline, Annabelle's court vision and high volleyball IQ will be needed to keep defenses honest.     A mainstay for years in the Knight offense, Paige's ability to hit anything from anywhere is what got Castle all their success over the last couple of years. She's going to be needed even more for her squad, as this might be the toughest match of her career—-and possibly her last in high school.

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