3A Preview: #9-12
We continue our rev up to high school ball in Indiana with our 3A preview of #9-12. I can’t take full responsibility for these rankings, as a fellow volley dork of mine, Zach McCrite, runs the website IndianaPrepVolleyball.com for all…
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Continue ReadingWe continue our rev up to high school ball in Indiana with our 3A preview of #9-12. I can’t take full responsibility for these rankings, as a fellow volley dork of mine, Zach McCrite, runs the website IndianaPrepVolleyball.com for all things high school volleyball in the Hoosier State. Without his help, I’d be useless. If you’re at all interested in high school volleyball in Indiana, it’s worth your while to check his site out.
I’m also going to add an MVR, or Most Valuable Returnee, for every team ranked. Here we go!
#12: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard , 16-17
This might be repetitive, but do not look at the Trojans’ record. They play the 14th toughest schedule in the state, and owned 9 wins over the top 64 in Indiana in 2019. Losing in a mild upset in their first sectional match to Brebeuf (#14 on this list), their graduation of NINE seniors will make this coming season a bit rough around the edges. That being said, this is Chatard, who always manages to have competitive volleyball programs year-in and year-out.
MVR: Ellen Keefe, ’21, 5-5, S
The only starter that returns to this team is the only one I have zero information on. Although Hudl has Ellen as a ’20, both MaxPreps and SportsRecruits have her as a ’21. More of a defensive setter than someone that can run a 5-1, I see Miss Keefe as a 3-rotation 6-2 setter in Division III or NAIA.
#11: Delta, 13-14
Similar to Chatard above, Delta’s schedule is the 11th toughest in the state, and the toughest in class 3A. Most of that is because of where they play—the Delaware County and Muncie areas are practically the Mecca of volleyball in the state of Indiana. Their wins from 2019 include 3A state finalist Bellmont and 2A state champion Heritage Christian. It’ll be tough replacing Molly Hunt (6-2, RS/OH, Indiana Wesleyan signee), that’s a lot of offense going out the door.
MVR: Bella Dearinger Bella Dearinger 5'10" | S Delta | 2021 State IN , ’21, 5-10, S/OH, Prep Dig #31
This spitfire of a player can do whatever you need her to do. Run a 5-1? Check. Pound balls on the pins? Sure. Emotionally carry a program? Why not? The question will be to whom will Miss Dearinger set? No returning attacker had even two kills per set last fall. With Delta’s schedule so tough, even within their own conference and county, I’m not sure what to expect from the Trojans.
#10: Silver Creek, 22-13
Making it all the way to the regional final is no small task in 3A. Graduating Macie Garrison (5-9, S, Jacksonville State signee) will be tough to replace, but SC has a bunch returning and they don’t get a bunch of competition in their section. I don’t think they will in ’20, either. That being said, finding a setter to replace your D1 setter that just walked out the door will be the difference between same-old same-old and getting to semi state.
MVR: Bella Hinton, ’21, 5-9, RS, Prep Dig #61
I love this kid. Union kids just do not receive the respect that they deserve, mostly because of their average size. They are some of the highest volleyball IQ kids in the state of Indiana; almost a Munciana of the southern portion of the state. Bella is no exception, and I would take her in a heartbeat for a team that needs a plug-and-play right side that can make an immediate impact.
#9: Angola, 27-5
Lloy Ball—yes, THAT Lloy Ball—lives and coaches in the Fort Wayne area after years of dominating the Olympic scene. His club, Team Pineapple, has built a facility in Angola, and he’s taken over an Angola squad that, prior to his arrival, wasn’t much of anything. Now, the expectation is a 20-win season every year. Up 2-1 in the regional semifinal, this was the Hornets’ year. A 16-14 finish in that match, however, ended the season for ELEVEN seniors. That’s tough to replace.
MVR: Paige Powers Paige Powers 6'1" | MB Angola | 2022 State IN , ’22, 6-1, MB
Leading the Hornets in blocking as the only non-senior starter, Paige’s size and natural volleyball acumen will take her far in her career. As of now, she’s more of an M2, excelling at anything in front of the setter. Depending on her off-season (read: COVID) training and development, Miss Powers could quickly become the team leader in more than just blocks.