Top Five Teams This Week In 3A: Postseason Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only a few days left in the regular season, and the blind sectional draws revealed some interesting matchups starting next Tuesday. Here are our top five teams for this week, including their records, their matchups and a player that can carry each program to glory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#5: Barr-Reeve (26-1), v Pike Central in sectional 31 on October 13</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings' lone loss was to a team they won't see in the postseason (#1 2A Andrean), and their match tonight against Tecumseh (#1 1A) is another. That being said, there is no preparation better than playing the best to know what you have going into the one-and-done phase of the season. Pike Central (12-15) will have a tall task ahead of them a week from tonight, and <strong>Dylan DeCoursey ('23, 5-7 S/RS)</strong> will use her natural all-around skills to keep the Vikings on the winning path.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#4: Angola (24-0), v winner of Heritage and Woodlan in sectional 21 on October 15</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Undefeated, undaunted and waiting the winner of the toughest matchup in their own sectional, the Hornets will have one of the more accomplished teams in 3A in their sectional semifinal. Whether it's Heritage (27-2) or Woodlan (19-9), the extra break will be well-used by this roster to rest up and prepare. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110486' first='Morgan' last='Gaerte'] ('24, 6-4 OH, Notre Dame commit)</strong> is the face of the squad, and everything goes through her and her six-rotation abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#3: Bellmont (23-6), v Peru in sectional 23 on October 11</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Braves get the early match on Tuesday, and with a win over Peru (6-22), advance to the sectional semis on Saturday. Another outstanding season for Bellmont with one of the toughest schedules in the state regardless of class, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110518' first='Delaney' last='Lawson']'s ('24, 6-1 OH)</strong> physical leadership should set the tone for what we can expect from this group of Braves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#2: Benton Central (26-3), v Western in sectional 22 on October 13</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The earliest tough matchup in this top five is given to the Bison, who face Western (17-9) in the opening round of their own sectional. I'm sure they'd prefer an easier start to the postseason, but hosting your own sectional is a nice consolation considering the competition. Freshman phenom <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210185' first='Cali' last='Foster'] ('26, 5-9 OH)</strong> is a six-rotation, primary-passing outside that has taken the reins of the offense in stride, and plays far better than her young age dictates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#1: Providence (23-6), v Silver Creek in sectional 30 on October 11</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I feel bad for the Dragons of Silver Creek (15-12). Every season they play a tough schedule, have outstanding volleyball athletes, but run into buzzsaws like Providence and Brebeuf in the postseason on their way to state titles contention. Such is the geography of volleyball greatness in the state of Indiana. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85899' first='Grace' last='Purichia'] ('23, 5-8 S, Jacksonville State commit)</strong> is the do-everything leader at Providence that can take over a match at will. Ball control will be key in the Pioneers' success this October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->