Three takeaways from boys volleyball sectionals featuring Harrison, Lafayette Jeff and McCutcheon
LAFAYETTE - Harrison, Lafayette Jeff and Crawfordsville were each in action on Thursday for the Indiana Boys Volleyball Coaches Association sectional quarterfinals at Lafayette Jeff High School.
Lafayette Jeff and Harrison each earned sweeps and will play each other at noon Saturday in the semifinals while McCutcheon, which won its match on Tuesday with a sweep over Kokomo, will play Westfield at 10 a..m. Saturday.
Here are three takeaways from the boys volleyball quarterfinal matchups.
Lafayette Jeff dancing its way to semifinals
The Bronchos, who have reigned over the boys volleyball scene for three decades, found little trouble handling the challenge from first-year program Crawfordsville.
Senior Gabe Brandenberg scorched eight of his game-high 13 kills in the first half to dismiss the Athenians 25-11, 25-6, 25-6. Brandenberg at 6-foot-1 has a swing and power that is college ready. His timing and the way he arrows his shoulders to strike through the ball have been a key weapon for Lafayette Jeff which includes standout outside hitter Kevin Braxton, junior setter Erik Gallardo and defensive specialist Brody Bettag.
2. Blevins - the soft-spoken leader
While Harrison senior setter Conner Blevins is playing a massive role as both a passer and back-row player.
He isn't a high flyer and isn't flashy. Blevins is calm, collected and his goal is working from point A to point B. Backpedal into receiving position before transitioning and setting shots to swing for outside hitters Ludvig Tahvanainen and Andrew Hostetler.
3. McCutcheon coach bringing direction to unproven underclassmen
The Mavericks coached by Keith Crisler took a big step after it earned a sweep over Kokomo to advance to the IBVCA semifinals against Westfield.
Sophomore outside hitter Korbin Vannette is developing into one of the top back-row players in the area. Crisler is taking a team that started sluggishly with 10 underclassmen and turning them into a program that by next year will be competing better with established programs Lafayette Jeff and Harrison.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: 3 takeaways from Harrison Lafayette Jeff Harrison boys volleyball sectionals