Preseason Team Rankings: Class D-1

<p>Last November, Johnson-Brock and Meridian delivered two epic matches. Meridian took the first one in the D1-1 district final and Johnson-Brock won the second, which happened to be for the D-1 state title.</p> <p>Ever since, it has felt like Johnson-Brock and Meridian are on a collision course to meet again for the D-1 title in 2017.</p> <p><strong><br /> Class D-1</strong></p> <p>1. Johnson-Brock – There has never been a team win three straight Class D-1 state titles, but with future Husker and junior <strong>MH Fallon Stutheit</strong>, senior MH <strong>Kaitlynn Simon</strong> and senior setter <strong>Brynn Westenburg</strong> all back the Eagles are looking like the team to beat again. It’s also worth pointing out that there have only been 16 teams in state history – regardless of class – to win three consecutive state titles.</p> <p>2. Meridian – You have to think that going into 2017 the Mustangs have the best shot at unseating Johnson-Brock and the Mustangs certainly won’t be intimidated by the Eagles. Last year’s state tournament experience should pay huge dividends, as does returning seniors <strong>Rylee Pieper</strong>, setter <strong>Erin Johnson</strong>, 6’1 MH <strong>Lauren DeLord</strong> and impressive sophomore <strong>Halle Pribyl</strong>.</p> <p>3. Ansley-Litchfield – Coach Pat Hoblyn returns three of her top four hitters from last year’s team that went 24-10 and reached the state tournament. <strong>Falan Ryan, Sarah Lewis</strong> and <strong>Mariah Lane</strong> all had over 100 kills last year and setter <strong>Alyssa Bailey</strong> also returns.</p> <p>4. BDS – The Eagles went 18-12 last season and finished fourth in the ultra-competitive Crossroads Conference Tournament. Of the 12 losses for BDS last year, seven came against either Hampton, Exeter-Milligan or Meridian. Behind players like <strong>Jadyn Kleinschmidt </strong>and <strong>Carley Elznic</strong>, BDS should be a force in the Crossroads Conference and in D-1 overall.</p> <p>5. Clarkson-Leigh – The Patriots could be the surprise team of 2017 in Class D-1 as the team looks for its first trip to state since consolidation. Senior <strong>Sydney Folken</strong> along with juniors <strong>Beth Wiese, Hannah Kasik, Kaegan Held, Sara McEvoy</strong> and <strong>Halee Steffensmeier</strong> all return after each playing in every set a year ago for the Patriots.</p> <p>6. Heartland – Heartland was probably the best team in Class D-1 that didn’t make the state tournament a year ago after being upset by Blue Hill in district play, ending the Huskies’ season at 24-6. Things like that tend to motivate a team, especially one that returns talented players like attacker <strong>Taylor Quiring</strong> and setter <strong>Rhianna Wilhelm</strong>.</p> <p>7. Alma – After going 13-3 last September, Alma struggled in October by going 5-7 before falling to Ansley-Litchfield in the D1-5 district final. The Cardinals have some holes to fill, but returning all-stater <strong>Jadyn Heckenlively</strong> along with <strong>Tiffany Wells</strong> and setter <strong>Madalyn Brugh </strong>should be enough to make Alma state-tournament contenders again.]</p> <p>8. Elgin-Pope John – It won’t be easy for the Wolfpack to replace Liz Selting, but there is still plenty to like about Elgin-Pope John after its third-place finish at state a year ago. Seniors <strong>Paige Meis</strong> and <strong>Grace Henn</strong> each return after combining for more than 300 kills a year ago and junior setter <strong>Allyson Wemhoff</strong> also returns.</p> <p>9. Overton – Overton basically returns everyone from last year’s team that went 20-11, including seniors <strong>Gracie Grote, Sidney Enochs, Victoria Anderson, Jayden Eby, Carrie Jewett</strong> and junior <strong>Jaycee Wallace</strong>.</p> <p>10. Blue Hill – Coming off a 22-10 season in which it made the state tournament, Blue Hill should be in pretty good shape to try and make the trip back to Lincoln this season. Junior setter <strong>Jamie Bonifas</strong> returns as does junior <strong>Kacey Allen</strong> – who led the team in kills a year ago - and fellow juniors <strong>Rylee Kohmetscher</strong> (MH) and Brianna <strong>Danehey</strong> (libero).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Honorable Mention: Bertrand, Diller-Odell, North Central.</p>