Top Five 3A Teams This Week
It never really dawned on me how many people are interested in what’s going on in Indiana high school and club volleyball. That being said, we continue our local commitment to making sure these kids get as much exposure as…
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Continue ReadingIt never really dawned on me how many people are interested in what’s going on in Indiana high school and club volleyball. That being said, we continue our local commitment to making sure these kids get as much exposure as possible, all while achieving high levels of success on the court. Here are the top five 3A teams this week, along with the setters that got them there.
#5: Bellmont (24-5)
Previous Ranking: #4
Winners of the Northeast 8 Conference, the Braves drew Heritage (26-5) in what could be considered the toughest 3A sectional in the state. (Full stop.) The winner of their matchup plays the uber tough Muncie Burris Owls, which has been a legendary program since forever ago. That match tomorrow night is a GREAT preparation for the remainder of the state tournament, let alone what Bellmont has done in their scheduling this fall. Lauren Ross (’23, 5-9 S) runs the 5-1 show for the Braves, accounting for over nine assists per set, and will be leaned on heavily to continued their balanced approach in the playoffs.
#4: West Lafayette (23-2)
Previous Ranking: NR
Welcome to the top five, Red Devils! Their two losses are to 4A McCutcheon and Zionsville, and they haven’t lost since early September. Drawing a tough Benton Central squad, the Red Devils are very familiar with this Hoosier Conference foe, already knocking off the Bison in straight sets on September 16 and October 2. With 1000+ assists in her career, Ann Alekseenko (’22, 5-6 S) is the quarterback of a tough offense that will give fits to anyone they match up with.
#3: Wapahani (24-4)
Previous Ranking: #3
Holding fast at the #3 spot in 3A are the Raiders from Delaware County, the home of all things volleyball in the state of Indiana. Their most recent losses were to 4A Westfield (in 5) and 4A defending champ Yorktown. That tough scheduling should do them wonders, since the sectional they’re in is the toughest in 3A. While Bellmont is featured in the top half of the draw, Wapahani drew familiar foe Delta in the quarterfinals. Macie Bowden Macie Bowden 5'7" | S Wapahani | 2023 State IN (’23, 5-7 S) will be the driving force behind the Raiders’ well-balanced offense.
#2: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (30-1)
Previous Ranking: #1
Cue the hate typing. The Saints have rattled off thirty (!!!) in a row since their season opening loss to 4A Penn. A recent win against a tough Heritage squad wrapped their schedule, but I’m still not convinced they can repeat, considering what our #1 team is doing. More known for her defensive prowess, Emma Lyons Emma Lyons 5'7" | DS/L Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger | 2022 State IN (’22, 5-8 S/DS) runs the offense for the team looking to be the first repeat in 3A in recent memory.
#1: Brebeuf (25-3)
Previous Ranking: #2
Winners of the Circle City Conference, the Braves’ three losses are all to 4A squads who have been ranked in the top ten in the state at one time or another. Brebeuf should have another walk to the sectional final, meeting either Bishop Chatard or Hamilton Heights in that match. This high-powered and balanced offense is possible because of the two-headed setting monster named Delaney Seaman Delaney Seaman 5'8" | S Brebeuf | 2023 State IN (’23, 5-10 S) and Naija Gadis Naija Gadis 5'8" | S Brebeuf | 2023 State #196 Nation IN (’23, 5-8 S). While Delaney brings the steadiest of hands to the fray, Naija is the hyper athletic setter that could probably run her own offense at any other school in the state.