3A Rankings Update: Reshuffle the Indiana Deck

<p>With four weeks remaining in our regular season, Indiana is getting into the groove with rivalry matches, senior nights, and some separation between the contenders and the pretenders. We’re here to not only give credit to the teams getting the job done, but also to highlight the players helping those teams in this stretch run. None of this would be possible, however, without IndianaPrepVolleyball.com and their administrator, Zach McCrite. If you’re at all interested in Indiana high school volleyball, check it out.</p> <p><strong>#5: Mount Vernon (Posey), 14-3</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Last week: NR</strong></em></p> <p>A short departure for the Wildcats, as they were absent last week after being #3 the week before. Losses to Reitz, Barr-Reeve and Castle didn’t slow this train down, and the next tough match for MV might be Tecumseh on October 6. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101835" first="Brooke" last="Jackson"] (Miami (OH) commit) </strong>leads the way for the Wildcats in kills, hitting percentage and blocks, is second in aces and third in digs.</p> <p><strong>#4: New Prairie, 13-4</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Last week: NR</strong></em></p> <p>This is the first appearance for the Cougars in our rankings series. In their thirteen wins, NP has dropped exactly one set. With losses against La Porte (4A #3), Crown Point (4A #5) and Muncie Burris (3A #2), this tough schedule will serve the Cougars wonders come tournament time. A match against Penn (4A #2) on October 6 should be the best preparation for what will be a wide open 3A state tournament. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85693" first="Elise" last="Swistek"] (Valparaiso commit) </strong>has taken the leadership reins for this squad, leading in kills (5 kps, hitting over .300) and aces (.6 aps) and is second in digs (just over 3 dps).</p> <p><strong>#3: Heritage, 12-3</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Last week: NR</strong></em></p> <p>The third of our new additions to the top five are the Patriots out of Monroeville, east of Fort Wayne on the Ohio border. With a rematch against Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger in the last week of the season being the only possible loss for Heritage the rest of the way, fine-tuning what has been a young squad will be in coach Shelly Schwartz’s best interests. With only one senior, leadership and experience will go a long way to their success. We like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92611" first="Allison" last="Richman"] (’22, 5-11, S), </strong>who runs a modified 6-2 for the Patriots. This Team Pineapple-trained kid also leads in kills, hitting percentage and blocks, and is third in aces. </p> <p><strong>#2: Muncie Burris, 11-3</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Last week: #2</strong></em></p> <p>Staying at #2 this week are the Owls, who have been idle for a bit. We’re huge fans of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85733" first="Helen" last="Beach"] (’21, 5-6, DS), </strong>a Munciana product who will be a huge addition for whomever signs her in 2021.</p> <p><strong>#1: Bellmont, 7-2</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Last week: #1</strong></em></p> <p>When your losses are to 4A #5 Munster (spoiler) and 4A #2 Yorktown (also spoiler), and you’ve only dropped one other set, you’re having a good season. Matches against 3A Angola and 4A Mount Vernon (Fortville) will be excellent tests as Bellmont tries to get back to the state championship match. The people responsible for the Braves’ success never diminishes, however, as Munciana-trained <strong>Delaney Lawson (’24, 6-1, OH)</strong> is yet another of the long line of great volleyball players to walk the halls at Bellmont. Second in both kills and blocks on this squad with this schedule is definitely making a statement.</p>