Early Returns From Top 3A Teams
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With two-ish weeks under our proverbial belts, we move on to how the top 3A teams in the Hoosier State have fared so far. There are plenty of teams that are new to our rankings, and some that are the…
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Continue ReadingWith two-ish weeks under our proverbial belts, we move on to how the top 3A teams in the Hoosier State have fared so far. There are plenty of teams that are new to our rankings, and some that are the old reliables. Here are four teams and their respective difference-makers.
#9: Wapahani (4-0)
Of the three 2A teams from the ’20 campaign that moved up to 3A, Wapahani has seen the most success thus far. With wins over county rivals Delta and 1A #7 Wes-Del, it doesn’t look like the Raiders will slow down anytime soon. A match against 4A #1 Yorktown on Tuesday should prove to be a challenge, though. The Raiders are led by juniors Camryn Wise Camryn Wise 5'11" | MB Wapahani | 2023 State IN (’23, 5-10 MB) and Chloe Cook Chloe Cook 5'9" | OH Wapahani | 2023 State IN (’23, 5-9 OH). Camryn is already the offensive force this early in the season, averaging over five kills per set and hitting north of .500 so far. She’s also tops in aces and blocks for Wapahani. All-State honoree Cook is averaging almost four kills per set while hitting .413 on this young season.
#8: Muncie Burris (11-1)
The Owls started the season 11-0 before running into 4A #8 Penn, but it’s not like the eleven wins were against cupcakes. In that run, they knocked off 3A #10 New Prairie, 2A #10 Alexandria-Monroe and 2019 state champ Heritage Christian, just to name a few. Two varsity regulars are pacing the Owls, most notably Abigail Kesler Abigail Kesler 5'11" | MB Muncie Burris | 2022 State #196 Nation IN (’22, 5-11 MB). Her four kills per set and .338 hitting is always there and always consistent. She’s recently committed to Division II Lincoln Memorial. Fellow senior Lauren Nixon Lauren Nixon 5'11" | S Muncie Burris | 2022 State IN (’22, 5-10 S) is once again running the show for Burris, and recently announced her commitment to Ohio University. The pleasant surprise, at least for this author, is the appearance of Lilly Howell Lilly Howell 6'2" | MB Muncie Burris | 2025 State IN (’25, 6-2 MB), who adds much-needed size to Burris. Her two kills per set, .300 hitting and team lead in blocks is hard to do considering the heavy hitters named above.
#2 Brebeuf (10-1)
With their only loss to 4A Carmel, Brebeuf is well on their way to another state final run. They’ve already knocked off semi-state rival 3A #5 Silver Creek in four, and will be better when they probably face each other in October. There are so many Lady Braves to mention here, most notably led by Sydney Robinson Sydney Robinson 5'8" | OH Brebeuf | 2023 State IN (’23, 5-7 OH). Nearly four kills a set and hitting over .400 is next-level for a full-time pin hitter. The other pin? None other than Maddie Siegel Maddie Siegel 5'11" | OH Brebeuf | 2022 State IN (’22, 5-11 OH), whose two-and-a-half kills and .300 hitting is great to have if Sydney’s off. Lola Schumacher Lola Schumacher 5'4" | DS/L Brebeuf Jesuit | 2024 State #60 Nation IN (’24, 5-5 DS/L) is the definition of libero, as her over five digs per set and constant serve receive thorn for opponents never backs down from a defensive challenge. A pleasant surprise for the Braves has to be Lexi Gin Lexi Gin 5'6" | DS/L Brebeuf | 2025 State #71 Nation IN (’25, 5-6 DS/L), who would be the starting ’bro on most other squads. No matter….her three-rotation contributions have her second on the team in digs and is more than capable of splitting the court in serve receive with Lola.
#1: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (8-1)
Opening the season against 4A #8 Penn was tough. However, the Saints haven’t lost since, and are even better than their state championship run from a year ago. You can’t mention Dwenger without mentioning Eva Hudson Eva Hudson 6'1" | OH Bishop Dwenger | 2022 State #110 Nation IN (’22, 5-10 OH, Notre Dame commit), who is averaging an astonishing 6.4 kills per set and hitting nearly .500. Kristin Bobay Kristin Bobay 6'0" | OH Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger | 2022 State IN (’22, 5-11 OH) is her partner in crime in serve receive, and is even better than last season with her three-and-a-half kills per set and hitting .300. Lexa Zimmerman Lexa Zimmerman 5'9" | DS/L Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger | 2023 State IN (’23, 5-5 DS/L) anchors the defense quite well, as her nearly five digs per set indicate. Finally, the stud running this whole thing is none other than Emma Lyons Emma Lyons 5'7" | DS/L Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger | 2022 State IN (’22, 5-7 DS/L), who is a Marian commit and can do anything her team needs in a pinch. This team has state title repeat written all over it.