Top Teams In 3A Right Now: Week 4 Edition

<p><em>Want a subscription to PrepDig? Use code Kyp30 at checkout for a deep discount off of your national subscription!</em></p>   <p>Moving right along in our class-based feature, we found a few changes in the Top Five for 3A, including a new addition due to an error. Here they are, in reverse order, with at least two uncommitted players featured for each team.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5: Brownstown Central (11-3)</h2>   <p>My apologies to all Braves fans. I misread the “rolling” part of “rolling success factor”, and did not account for the fact that BC has been in the title match quite a bit in the last couple of years. With that being said, the Braves are DEFINITELY in 3A this year, and will be a force to be reckoned with in the southern half of the 3A draw come October. Of the kids on this roster, the first two contacts will be the reason this team makes a repeat appearance in the title match. Libero <strong>Olivia Fritz,</strong> who is wearing the special jersey full-time for the first time in her career, is a solid choice for the first contact, and controls the ball well. Her fast feet and well-trained platform allow her teammates to do their jobs. Speaking of, senior setter <strong>Finley Wheeler</strong> is already north of 2000 assists, 100 aces and 600 digs, and has a shot at the ever-impressive 3000 assist plateau for her career later this season. Like most setters coming out of Brownstown, she's strong, quick and makes solid decisions in the offense. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4: Guerin Catholic (8-3)</h2>   <p>The only reason GC is in front of BC right now is because of their strength of schedule. Of their three losses, two are to the top five teams in their respective classes (#2 Roncalli in 3A and #2 Westfield in 4A). That being said, three of their last four matches have ended in a loss, bringing the Golden Eagles back to earth a little. This is a perfect time for Guerin Catholic to turn to their ball control to help right the ship. Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='399671' first='Natalie' last='Laughon'] </strong>is a senior as a third-year starter and has a distinct possibility of passing 1000 digs and 100 aces in her career this fall. Her ball control will be key in the next week or so of Guerin's schedule. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443838' first='Claire' last='Ducey'],</strong> on the other hand, is a first year varsity player, and fits right in with 11 assists per set, one of the top averages in the state. Her hands are strong and deceptive, and knows exactly how to connect with her hitters in the exact right situation. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3: West Noble (11-1)</h2>   <p>The Chargers are enjoying one of their better seasons in recent memory, and have a stranglehold on the Northeast corner. Youth is their strength, led by attacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553812' first='Elyse' last='Mead']</strong> and her 5+ kills per set. The Chargers also employ a 6-2 offense, helmed by fellow sophomores <strong>Ella Limerick</strong> and <strong>Kailyn Stone.</strong> Both will be adept setters at the next level at smaller schools, and will be plug and play options when they get there. The eye-opener for me was their sweep last week of last year's 3A runners-up, Angola. That's a massive win with D1 talent on the roster, and the match made the Hornets look average. I'm intrigued to see what the Chargers have in store for the rest of the regular season, as a conference title is well within reach.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2: Roncalli (12-3)</h2>   <p>Despite a tough four-set loss to 4A Center Grove last night, the Royals are still one of the teams to beat in the southern half of 3A. With plenty of D1 talent on this roster, it's easy to see why Roncalli has been so successful recently. I'm putting my focus on the future of the Royals, specifically <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='798102' first='Rosanna' last='Spearing']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='884193' first='Norah' last='Bell'].</strong> Rosanna is a solid, six-rotation outside that has all aspects of the game under her control. Although undersized, this young lady can JUMP, and uses her athleticism to alter shots in midair before terminating. Norah, on the other hand, is now at the helm of the offense of one of the best teams in the state after a major injury to the original starting setter. No matter—-Miss Bell is more than capable of running an offense, and only time will tell how her varsity experience has made her grow into an all-around talent. Like so many of the ladies at Roncalli, the training is already there; Nora's guidance has already sustained the success of the Royals, and they should be a team to watch in late October.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1: Cathedral (10-3)</h2>   <p>With two wins in hand against #2 Roncalli, Cathedral is in the driver's seat for success in 3A in late October. There's so much talent up and down this roster that I'm sure to leave a few uncommitted kids out. Nevertheless, two athletic attackers come to mind in sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586944' first='Blaine' last='Adams']</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443864' first='Chloe' last='Moss'].</strong> Blaine is a high-flying outside hitter that hits a heavy ball and can attack over smaller, less disciplined blocks. Chloe is a quick-twitch middle who uses her speed and jumping ability to beat bigger, slower middles. Both are major aspects of this team—-Blaine can take over a match at a moment's notice, and Chloe currently leads the Fighting Irish in blocks this season, hitting over .300 while being not quite 5'10”. A lot can change between now and mid October, but these two should be a big part of the postseason when it comes around.</p>

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