Top Five This Week In 3A: Complementary Pieces

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the theme on this day, we're looking at players on each team in the top five (plus one) that work well together. They might not be the primary attacker or player on the squad, but the team would definitely suffer without her support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>T#5: Benton Central (14-2, NR last week)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bison have battled all comers have made their presence felt in the Lafayette area. Avenging their loss to Harrison with a tournament win over the weekend, we see BC making some noise in Purdue country. The pair we're noticing share a family name; the Fosters. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110506' first='Sienna' last='Foster'] ('24, 5-10 OH)</strong> is the clear physical leader at nearly four kills per set, an ace per set and nearly three digs per set. <strong>Cali Foster ('26, 5-9 OH)</strong> takes her Boiler Juniors training to the next level with some outdoor work at iBeach, winning a few sand tournaments in the last few years. Although Sienna is a bit more terminal in her attack, we'll take Cali's exceptional ball control and court awareness any day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>T#5: NorthWood (13-2, #4 last week)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can't yet leave out the Panthers, even with the success of BC above. I'm a huge fan of dynamic sophomores <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192110' first='Claire' last='Payne'] ('25, 6-1 MB)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='161657' first='Sophia' last='Barber'] ('25, 5-9 OH), </strong>who have combined to give the Panthers a ton of size and volleyball acuity. Together, these two average nearly seven kills per set, while leading the team in three other categories. And to think this duo will be around for a while....</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#4: Western Boone (14-3, #1 last week)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tough losses to 4A Noblesville and 4A defending champ McCutcheon couldn't keep the Stars in the top spot. Their work ethic throughout the roster, though, keeps them in the top five. Everyone knows what <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154814' first='Raegan' last='Durbin']</strong> can do, but whom do the Stars turn to when Miss Durbin is a bit off? We've noticed a couple of seniors in <strong>Audrey Dunn ('23, 5-8 OH)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85891' first='Kennedy' last='Kiger'] ('23, 5-10 OH/RS),</strong> two more effective and physical pin attackers that, combined with Raegan, can produce over eight (!!!) kills per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#3: Barr-Reeve (18-1, #3 last week)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cruising right along are the Vikings, well on their way to yet another 20-win season. Only shortly removed from a state title run, the reloading that Barr-Reeve does is impressive. <strong>Dylan DeCoursey </strong>does pretty much everything, but don't sleep on youngsters <strong>Hannah Bledsoe </strong>or <strong>Addison Jones. </strong>Hannah is the size much needed to succeed in 3A, while Addison is an excellent option as a primary passer and six-rotation player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#2: Bellmont (14-4, #5 last week)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aside from a tough five-set loss to Carroll in five sets last week, the Braves have taken on all comers and owned them all. I'm supremely impressed with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110518' first='Delaney' last='Lawson'], </strong>but whom else can this squad rely upon? Look no further than <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157433' first='Jackie' last='Sutter'] ('24, 5-9 OH/RS)</strong> and <strong>MaryKate Scheumann ('26, 5-9 OH/RS).</strong> This pair can play either pin, put balls away, defend their positions at a plus level, and contribute more than expected night-in and night-out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#1: Providence (17-5, #2 last week)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ah, the Pioneers are back where they belong. Playing the toughest competition on both sides of the Ohio River, Coach Purichia has her girls at full strength following their sweep of 4A power Floyd Central last night. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85899' first='Grace' last='Purichia'] (Jacksonville State commit)</strong> is the emotional and physical leader of this bunch, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210180' first='Lilly' last='Tappel'] ('24, 5-9 OH)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192099' first='Abby' last='Julius'] ('25, 5-10 MB)</strong> have their own talents to show. Abby brings the much-needed size to this squad, while Lilly excels as a primary passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->