Most Intriguing Sectional Semifinals: Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This morning and afternoon mark the first and second sectional semifinals around the state in all 64 sections. From 1A to 4A, there are matchups that <em>should</em> be sectional finals, but the volleyball (draw) gods thought otherwise. Here are the most intriguing 4A and 3A matchups from around the state, which feature at least one college committed player per match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4A Sectional at Fort Wayne South Side: Homestead (25-7) v Bellmont (24-7), approx. 1p</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For a two-time defending state runner-up from 3A, the Braves are more than holding their own in 4A. The Spartans, on the other hand, would love even a sniff of the inside of Worthen Arena to crown the end of another epic season of 25+ win volleyball. The best part of this match will be the two Purdue recruits going at each other, literally. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226809' first='MaryKate' last='Scheumann']</strong> is the do-everything outside for the Braves, and will be heavily leaned on to show success for a second time this season against the Spartans. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192114' first='Addy' last='Tindall']</strong> is the big, bruising hammer for Homestead that will need to do a little more (with a little help from her teammates) if they want to avenge their September four-set loss to Bellmont. To know that two outsides, both going to Purdue in the near future, are playing against each other, should make this match that much more exciting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4A Sectional at Castle: Evansville North (22-4) @ Castle (28-3), approx. 12p (CT)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Huskies defeated Castle for the first time in almost forever back on September 21, and Castle evened the season score with a win on October 1. Is the third time a charm for the fans? It should be, considering the talent that will be playing this afternoon. The Knights have a pair of Division I recruits in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='458189' first='Maya' last='Joska'] </strong>(Arkansas State commit) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='491145' first='Addisen' last='Gallentine']</strong> (Dayton commit). Both have been the key cogs in the machine for the Knights all season, and will be asked to do just a little more to make it to the sectional final. The Huskies are no stranger to solid volleyball play, and will bring their own combination of players in senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='509321' first='Camden' last='Hiatt']</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210333' first='Kenlee' last='Barnard'].</strong> I find it interesting that both teams employ offensive setters in a 6-2 at the high school level, while the primary attackers can do more than attack for both squads. No matter whom you are a fan of, this should be exciting to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3A Sectional at Lawrenceburg: Batesville (26-4) @ Lawrenceburg (22-6), approx. 1p</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three matches where both teams have 20+ wins in the sectional semifinal?!? What a time to be a fan of volleyball. The Bulldogs already own two wins over the Tigers this season (September 3 in five, October 10 in four), but to beat a team three times in a season is that much harder, considering how well these two teams know each other. The primary attacker for the Bulldogs will continue to be just that. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='511290' first='Reesa' last='Zimmerman']</strong> (Florida International commit) is a big and physical attacker that is hard to contain at any level. The Tigers should come back strong with their do-everything athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='342072' first='Natalie' last='Knigga'].</strong> Natalie has rewritten every record in Lawrenceburg's history, amassing 1000+ kills, 1200+ digs and 1500+ assists in her storied career. To continue that career, however, she's going to need a little help from her friends---and some help slowing down Miss Zimmerman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->