New Top 5 For Class 1A!

<p>Our second installment of weekly top five team updates brings four new teams to the fold. This is completely normal this early in the season, as schedules become tougher or easier, the cream rises, and the usual suspects are more visible. </p>   <h2>#5: Blackhawk Christian (13-1, last week NR)</h2>   <p>The Braves from Fort Wayne have shown out in significant fashion as an early force for the northern half of Indiana. With their lone loss to perennial 3A top 5 Bellmont, there may be no end in sight to their successes. Led by <strong>Allie Boyer ('24, 6-2 OH), </strong>there may be no match to her size and strength from most opponents, let alone in class 1A. Her team-leading 4+ kills per set, nearly four digs per set and Empowered training got her this far, and will be needed in October. She's accompanied by <strong>Abbie Cresse ('24, 6-3 MB), </strong>who brings her own attack line of 3+kps/.300+ while leading in blocks. Miss Cresse is exceptional off of two feet, transitions and gets up quickly, and can defend from pin to pin with ease because of her length.</p>   <h2>#4: Trinity Lutheran (10-5, last week NR)</h2>   <p>Although some may scoff at the Cougars' record, know this: TL has the best mentality for scheduling. They play anyone, anytime and anywhere. They've already knocked off 1A power Tecumseh as well as perennial 3A power Silver Creek. Since the IHSAA refuses to seed sectionals, records don't matter as much, making the regular season a training ground for the Cougars to perform at their best in October. <strong>Bailey Tabeling ('23, 5-10 MB/OH, Ohio commit for basketball)</strong> is the clear athletic leader for this squad, bringing 5+ kills per set and the team lead behind the baseline. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157945' first='Carson' last='Bowling'] ('25, 6-1 MB)</strong> brings her size and another solid attack line in 3+kps/.300+ while leading the Cougars in blocks.</p>   <h2>#3: South Newton (15-0, last week NR)</h2>   <p>When starting a season, a strong win usually dictates the rest of the schedule. Knocking off 4A power Crown Point to start off a solid campaign is a good way to put the rest of the teams on notice. Led by a pair of Cripes, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='161191' first='Taylor' last='Cripe'] ('25, 5-9 OH) </strong>has the physicality and Boiler Juniors training to carry a program, but doesn't have to. The other primary-passing outside is someone familiar to Taylor in <strong>Lexi Cripe ('23, 5-9 OH), </strong>who is the more experienced passer of the two. This pair of studs running a 1A program to a combined 6+kps/.300+ from the left pin is a recipe for success, and I expect to see more of the Rebels as the season progresses.</p>   <h2>#2: Springs Valley (13-2, last week #5)</h2>   <p>The Blackhawks are the lone repeat on the top five from last week. They haven't lost since I spoke of them last week, and a win over 3A power Barr-Reeve tonight could vault this squad into the top spot for next week's top five. We've already talked about the Carnes kids, so who might be the x-factor for a strong postseason run? look no further than <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='145467' first='Alayna' last='Denbo'] ('23, 6-2 MB), </strong>whose size and Union training will be needed just in case Leigh or Maddie falter.</p>   <h2>#1: Tecumseh (13-1, last week NR)</h2>   <p>For the last few years, there has always been a Tecumseh squad mentioned in the top five. And why not? Last winter and spring saw the biggest successes in their school's history with a state championship in girls basketball and softball, respectively. Why not making it three consecutive sport seasons with a volleyball title? The main cog in those winning machines is the same as volleyball---<strong>Jenna Donohoo ('24, 5-10 OH/RS). </strong>Her sheer athleticism, instincts and speed make her a prime candidate to be all-state in three different sports. Accompanying Jenna's six-rotation prowess is hybrid <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157434' first='Payge' last='Johnson'] ('24, 5-8 S/OH),</strong> who sets in the back row and attacks from the front. These two combine to lead five different categories for the Braves, and to know that they'll be part of it this season AND next should concern the remainder of the I-69 corridor from Martinsville to Evansville for years to come.</p>

Our second installment of weekly top five team updates brings four new teams to the fold. This is completely normal this early in the season, as schedules become tougher or easier, the cream rises, and the usual suspects are more visible.