Top Teams In 4A: Committed Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want a subscription to PrepDig? Use code Kyp30 for a deep discount off of your national registration!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I got into an argument over the weekend with a few referee and coach friends from other states about the level of talent here in Indiana. The same arguments kept coming up—-too small, not enough training, too many “club hoppers” without consistent training, not enough attacking talent, too many passers—-the list was endless. It boggled my mind that, in all of the years of seeing high-end athleticism here in the Hoosier state succeed at the next level, that these friends of mine would have no idea of the committed talent in Indiana. So, here's my response. I get it; we're not California or Texas. But we ARE good. Listed below are the top five teams from the biggest class (4A) in the state, along with two committed players on each team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5: Crown Point (18-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs are continuing their winning ways, with ten straight victories as of the writing of this article. This blue-blood program from “the region” (read: northwestern Indiana) has always been there, and this year is no different. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236692' first='Elle' last='Schara']</strong> (Purdue commit) is the focal point of the offense, and is one of the best, if not THE best, pure passer in today's article. Oh, by the way, she adds 5+ kills per set while hitting north of .300 in the process of being a six-rotation outside. The <em>actual</em> libero on this team is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801186' first='Bella' last='Del Real'] </strong>(Southern Illinois commit), an exceptional serve reception queen that passes perfect in consort with Elle. At over seven digs per set, This pair has kept the Bulldogs in system for the great majority of this fall, hence their success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4: Evansville North (17-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Undefeated is not easy at this point of the season. As of the writing of this article, only two teams are without a loss in the entire state, and the Huskies are one of them. Oral Roberts commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='494418' first='Libby' last='Ryan']</strong> has led this offense throughout this season and last, and can take over a match if you let her. Big and physical, Libby's ability to punish undisciplined blocks goes a long way in defeating the will of opposing defenses. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210333' first='Kenlee' last='Barnard']</strong> (Robert Morris commit) will be a full-time setter at the next level, but is responsible for so much for North. Setting in the back row and attacking in the front (her school runs a 6-2), she fills the stat sheet nightly as needed. I realize that a match against 4A rival Castle looms in the beginning of October, but taking care of business before then will require laser focus against beatable teams. Until then, EN is the premier program in the Evansville area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3: Hamilton Southeastern (17-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although a tough, unexpected tournament loss to Plainfield over the weekend marred their loss column, there is no doubt in this author's mind that HSE is one of the top programs in the state, full stop. I'm keeping this squad at #3 because of their combined strength of schedule and big wins they've had this fall thus far. That toughness should be tested tonight when they host 3A #2 Roncalli, the defending state champ in 3A. Offense is not a problem for these Royals, so how about some efficiency and defense that have committed? <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210189' first='Bre' last='Morgan']</strong> (Florida Atlantic commit) is a springy and athletic middle that is tops in blocking for HSE, while also attacking at an over .400 clip. Senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771949' first='Jasmine' last='Daniels']</strong> (Morehead State commit) is part of a very efficient 6-2 that has a ton of weapons to distribute the ball to. If there's anyone that is more responsible for a “happy offense”, it's Jasmine. I'm not sure this squad wins this much without her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2: Westfield (16-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, Westfield lost to HSE in 5 grueling sets recently, so why are they ahead of the Royals? Well, there aren't any bad losses on the docket and the upside is there, even to the untrained eye. While there are committed kids on this roster, most of them are with the JUNIOR class, a rare feat in and of itself in Indiana—-only 20 juniors in Indiana have committed to a college since mid-June. One of those juniors (and the only junior listed today) is libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='483957' first='Kendyl' last='Strack']</strong> (Bowling Green commit). Her numbers are fine—-about four digs per set. What she <em>actually</em> brings to the court is leadership, solid serve receive and a no-quit motor that defines what a libero should be. Senior six-rotation outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261022' first='Georgia' last='Bresnahan']</strong> (SIUE commit) is one of many parts of the Shamrock offense that stays balanced, even when things get tough or they're caught in a “bad rotation”. Yes, there are many others that have their place in Westfield's success, but I'm not exactly sure that the ‘Rocks would be where they are right now if one of the above kids were missing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1: Carroll (19-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I realize that in both polls (MaxPreps and Indiana Prep Volleyball), the Chargers are NOT listed as the top team in the state. Please hear me out. Without dropping a set this season, including against #3 HSE, this is the most complete team in Indiana, and every position is represented well. With multiple commitments in multiple positions on the roster, we'll pick two that have had the most impact—-one on offense and one on defense. The obvious pick for offensive MVP is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227184' first='Bailey' last='Sinish']</strong> (IU Indianapolis commit), a high-flying, heavy-hitting six-rotation outside that is the main part of the Charger offense. She has every shot in the book, and is generally hard to defend because of her strength and athleticism. For defensive prowess at the net, look no further than blocks leader <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='502826' first='Lola' last='Sasse'] </strong>(Rollins commit). Her length is her strength, and even the block redirects directly score points for Carroll, even though she didn't earn the block outright. Discipline is this team's M.O., and these two ooze with that trait.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->