3A Rankings Update: New Faces
With less than three weeks remaining in the regular season in Indiana, we’re down to the home stretch of teams prepping for the state tournament. Some teams have gone through this process for years, others are new to the party.…
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Continue ReadingWith less than three weeks remaining in the regular season in Indiana, we’re down to the home stretch of teams prepping for the state tournament. Some teams have gone through this process for years, others are new to the party. In either case, there are players of all types, all ages and all positions making differences around the state.
We’d like to thank Zach McCrite and his website, IndianaPrepVolleyball.com for their help in this venture. If you’re interested in high school volleyball in the Hoosier State, his site is a one-stop shop.
#5: Silver Creek, 15-5
Last week: NR
The Dragons of the Mid-Southern Conference have definitely increased the intensity of their scheduling this season, and seem to be righting the ship just in time for the stretch run. A revenge win against defending 3A champ Brownstown Central was huge on Saturday, but the second loss to 4A Floyd Central might have been the best thing to happen to the Dragons. It’s clear that this is Isabella Hinton Isabella Hinton 5'9" | RS Silver Creek | 2021 State IN ’s (’21, 5-9, RS/OH) team, but having a second attacker, like fellow senior Anna Dablow (’21, 5-5, DS/OH) would do wonders for their future. The future is now, however, as Providence looms this evening.
#4: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, 11-1
Last week: NR
We welcome the Saints to the top five this season, and what a season it has been. Their lone loss is to 4A defending champ New Castle in five, but they followed up that setback with a tough four-set win over a young and feisty McCutcheon squad. Next Monday’s battle with 3A #1 Bellmont will be the best gauge to their postseason chances. We’re especially fond of Eva Hudson Eva Hudson 6'1" | OH Bishop Dwenger | 2022 State #110 Nation IN (’22, Notre Dame commit) who nearly triples her next teammate in kills.
#3: New Prairie, 15-4
Last week: #4
Moving up one spot in the top five are the Cougars of New Prairie. They’ve only dropped one set since their last loss three weeks ago, and won’t be tested again until the last week of the season when they play 4A’s Penn and La Porte within six days of each other. Valpo commit Elise Swistek Elise Swistek 5'9" | OH New Prairie | 2021 State IN continues to pace the offense for the Cougars, but Haley Robinson Haley Robinson 5'11" | OH New Prairie | 2023 State IN (’23, 5-11, OH) is becoming a nice second option, averaging three kills per set, hitting over .300 and is second in blocks.
#2: Muncie Burris, 12-3
Last week: #2
I know that I typed “New Faces” in the title of this article. Yet Burris has always—ALWAYS—been there. Consider the Owls the Mecca of Indiana volleyball, despite their latest setback to 4A Greenfield-Central. Burris followed that loss up with an easy win over Seton Catholic, and have 4A New Castle and 2A #2 Wapahani scheduled for later this season. In order for this offense to go, however, one needs a setter. Insert Lauren Nixon (’22, 5-11, S), running an offense currently hitting over .250 on the season.
#1: Bellmont, 10-3
Last week: #1
At this point, the Braves have a stranglehold on this position. And, barring an upset any time in the last three weeks, should remain here for the foreseeable future. #4 Dwenger might have something to say about that next week, and October 10 has the Braves with the toughest back-to-back matches to end the season; 2A #2 Wapahani and 1A #5 and defending champ Cowan. Those two matches will definitely prep Bellmont for the postseason. Delaney Lawson (’24, 6-1, OH) is one of a multitude of Braves in this balanced attack, as she is one of four players averaging two kills per set or better.