3A Finals Preview: Who Ya Got?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Exposure Tour is almost here! Use code KypPD25 for a discount off of your registration!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two previews down, two to go. Similar to the 1A final, two private schools will represent the best 3A has to offer. The 3A final also follows a similar storyline; one team is the defending champ, one is the up-and-comer that is looking for glory. With both teams firmly in the top ten in the state, let's take a look at the primary players for each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>All records are from MaxPreps, and all rankings are from indianaprepvolleyball.com and the Z-Ratings.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#8 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (21-8)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An enigma of sorts, the Saints have gone through coaching changes (three in three years) and unknown commodities on the floor. Winners of eleven straight, however, will put all of the doubts in the rearview, as this squad is more than ready for their closeup at Gainbridge. Senior attacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808067' first='Nicolette' last='Watercutter']</strong> has been the heart and soul of the Saint volleyball program, and understands the assignment of being the senior leader both emotionally and physically. Her four kills per set while being a primary passer should lead the way. Junior hybrid <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='762172' first='Braelynn' last='Hodgman']</strong> will be a setter at the next level, but you wouldn't know it from the sheer number of kills she gets in the modified 6-2 that the Saints run. The Pineapple High Performance product has probably the highest volleyball IQ of the bunch, and will be a major catalyst for the Saints. I'm also a fan of <strong>Lindsey Snyder,</strong> who attacks and is in serve receive for Dwenger, yet is the libero for Munciana's Samurai. A tough player that plays high-level ball year round, her ability to control all parts of the game is key. Finally, the ACTUAL libero for BD is <strong>Claire Shively,</strong> who will anchor the defense and serve receive nicely. All four of these young ladies will be much needed to pull off the upset on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Roncalli (32-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='252404' first='Addie' last='Haberthy']</strong> went down with an injury <em>just</em> before season started, many (including this author) didn't think that there was a setter on Roncalli's roster that could lead this vaunted offense to a repeat showing at the state final. Teams like these Royals are why I absolutely LOVE being wrong….sometimes. Freshman <strong>Norah Bell</strong> actually got her start at Purdue team camp over the summer, and showed exactly what she's made of. Now the full-time setter for the defending state champs, she's regularly putting up 10+ assists per set to a myriad of attackers that have kept defenses guessing for the better part of a month. Winners of 15 of their last 16 (the lone loss to defending 4A champ Carroll), the offense has been humming on all cylinders, with Norah having her pick of who's hot from match to match, which has changed a couple of times recently. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254827' first='Lydia' last='Stahley'],</strong> a Missouri commit, is a big, physical and smart outside hitter that can make shots most others can't, while also having the ability to take over a match relentlessly. Moving <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221342' first='Lily' last='Jones']</strong> (Central Michigan commit) to the outside from the right side was an intelligent coaching move, and has made all of the difference in the Royals' run this fall. Her size and strength has had her LEAD Roncalli in kills at both matches of the semistate, including 26 against #5 Brownstown Central in the semi-state semifinal. For the record, NONE of this is possible without solid passing, which comes directly from senior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809451' first='Reagan' last='Turk']</strong> (West Virginia commit). Her read-and-react is some of the best in the state, and is more than prepared to slow the game down for the Royals when things go wrong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PREDICTION: Royals over the Saints in four.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading -->