Preseason 1A Top Five

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Use code KypDig2024 for $10 off of your registration to either our Stock Up Showcase or our Freshman Showcase August 3!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're just under two weeks from opening day here in Indiana, so why not complete the four-class cycle of previews with a top five! Here are my top five, including a few who could legitimately compete for a state title in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1) Lafayette Central Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A recent move to 1A, the Knights are the favorite to win it all for multiple reasons. Their history, for one, always has them in the 20+ win category since I can remember. Secondly, the offense that they have returning, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557018' first='Carley' last='Barrett']</strong> and <strong>Lauran Johnson,</strong> will bring over six kills per set and see the bulk of the sets go their way. Third, there just aren't enough 1A teams to compete with the firepower and overall volleyball skills in the northern half of the state to keep up with LCC. I'm aiming for the first weekend in November to feature the Knights and.....</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2) Trinity Lutheran</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>....the Cougars. It's one thing to bring back a ton of offense from one season to the next. Such things happen all the time for those year-in, year-out programs that are always in the discussion. But athletes who've already committed to schools? <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378035' first='Laura' last='Roeder']</strong> (IU Indianapolis) is an anchor on defense and serve receive for TL. Plus, big and physical attacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157945' first='Carson' last='Bowling']</strong> (IU Southeast) has no equal in 1A. I'll get a first-hand look at the Cougars when they visit 4A power Center Grove in a couple of weeks, so expect more to come from these young ladies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3) Faith Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles got the raw end of the deal when LCC dropped to 1A this year. Unfortunately for them, they're in the same sectional, and I bet the girls even know each other from club ball as well. Nearly everyone comes back from their amazing season last fall, including<strong> </strong>libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='386164' first='Caya' last='Stillings']</strong> and setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462512' first='Olivia' last='Barber'].</strong> Having the first two contacts returning, with experience and skill, will be key for the Eagles this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4) Greenwood Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This tiny school of barely over 200 in grades 9-12 have placed themselves firmly on the athletics map in multiple sports, including volleyball, in the last few years. Winning their first regional ever last fall was huge, and the semi state taught them that the Cougars aren't that far off from the top of the volleyball mountain. I like what attackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152942' first='Faith' last='Kresge']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='539959' first='Addisyn' last='Yoder']</strong> bring to the table, along with their ball control and overall volleyball acuity. Replacing Tecumseh with Trinity Lutheran in the regional or semi state might be the only major change within their schedule, and a possible appearance in Worthen would be an amazing story for this young, up-and-coming squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5) Vincennes Rivet</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of small schools, Rivet has just under 100 in grades 9-12, but find themselves in the conversation in the top five in 1A for one BIG reason, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='573344' first='Mary' last='Herman']</strong> (Bellarmine). Big and physical, Mary can take over matches against smaller teams and can out-muscle the bigger programs. Avoiding Springs Valley in their sectional is huge, and now makes it winnable for the Patriots. I expect Mary to be a big part of everything that makes the Patriots successful---good ball control, accurate and timely setting, and an innate ability to terminate on command.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->