Best Bets: IHSA 2A teams headed to states
Its a different volleyball game between 2A to 3A. Smaller schools obviously, but smaller athletes, better all-around players. Offensively you see more one on one middle blocking and the scoring is controlled by the bigger middle. Defensively, it’s an all-around…
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Continue ReadingIts a different volleyball game between 2A to 3A. Smaller schools obviously, but smaller athletes, better all-around players. Offensively you see more one on one middle blocking and the scoring is controlled by the bigger middle. Defensively, it’s an all-around defensive front, while back-row hit the floor like it’s going out of style!
Here are the teams to provide the best offense, defense, and a chance to win states.
2020 Final Four Favorites
Rockford Lutheran only loses three players from their roster and return a majority of last year’s offense. They had a tough road through Timothy Christian and Montini in 2019. Expect the road to be bumpy but not impossible for the Lady Crusaders.
St. Teresa won’t have an easy path to make it to states, but they do know how to get there and what to do once they are in the building. Look for teams like Orion, Tri-Valley, and a myriad of others to try but will fall short of defeating the state champion Bulldogs.
Mater Dei playing in 2A for their first year made it to the finals before losing to St. Teresa. Being in super-sectional that is relatively weak, expect them to march into the final four again.
Chicago Christian had a great chance of making it into states in 2019, but fell one rung short on the IHSA ladder, losing to S.J.-Ogden in the super-sectionals. Despite losing key players, I wouldn’t bet against them in 2020. S.J.-Ogden, who graduated eight players, will try to stop the Knights, but don’t count out Herscher, definitely a dark horse, but not a longshot. This will be a tough super-sectional.
Players to Watch:
Lauren Spangler Lauren Spangler 5'6" | MB Rockford Lutheran | 2021 IL , 2021, 5’8/OH, Rockford Lutheran, VC United ,
Here’s a kid that is an amazing three-sport athlete! In volleyball, Lauren had 378 kills and 181 digs during the 2019 season. She had 29 kills in Rockford Lutheran’s two State Tournament final four matches. Lauren plays on a strong VC United program and is currently uncommitted.
Akepeuwe Akpropigbe 2023, 5’9, MH, St. Teresa
In St. Theresa’s 25-22, 29-27 win over Rockford Lutheran, Akepeuwe had 1 block solo, 3 block assists, and 1 block error in the match. She has the size and moves well laterally, prepping for the block. Not to be outdone, her teammates weren’t far behind in blocks with three players at 2 block assist apiece. St. Theresa tallied 6.5 blocks compared to 1.0 by Rockford Lutheran.
Jessie Timmerman, 2021, 5’11, S, Mater Dei
How can a setter be on this list? Timmerman had one solo and one assist, but again, Mater Dei tallied 5.0 blocks for the match, compared to St. Joseph’s one blocking error and no team blocks. If your team has a setter like Timmerman that sets the block and can transition to set, you have something special.
Logan Grevengoed Logan Grevengoed 6'3" | RS Chicago Christian | 2022 State #176 Nation IL , 2022, 6’1, OH, Chicago Christian, Michio National 16
Both a strong passer and also an incredible blocker, Logan is a power player who can get the kills when the match is on the line. Chicago Christian will need her to be ready and playing at her best if they want to make States.
Tori Mohesky, 2022, 5’10, OH, Mater Dei
In the State Finals, Mohesky had 14 kills and 13 digs to help Mater Dei to a 25-10, 23-25, 25-22 three-set victory. Her double-double was enough to lead the Bulldogs over ST. Joseph – Odgen to the title. With two more years to play, expect great things from this upcoming junior!