Class 1 Preseason Rankings 1-5
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With defending state champion Miller Cardinals looking for a repeat, several teams will stand in the way of the repeat. Class 1 was dominated last year by the 2022 class, and this year it will be dominated by the 2023…
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Continue ReadingWith defending state champion Miller Cardinals looking for a repeat, several teams will stand in the way of the repeat. Class 1 was dominated last year by the 2022 class, and this year it will be dominated by the 2023 class. Here is a look at 1-5 of the preseason rankings for Class 1.
1.South Iron Panthers 26-10-1
I watched South Iron a couple of times this summer, and they look much better than last year. The Panthers return the bulk of the offense from last year, only losing one starter to graduation from a team that finished 4th at state. Look for a date with conference and district rival @ Lesterville on September 29th, the team South Iron beat in 5 for the district championship.
Key Returners:
Drew Gayle Drew Gayle 5'10" | S South Iron | 2023 State MO 389 digs, 658 assists, 66 blocks, and 424 kills
Maddie Ayers Maddie Ayers 5'7" | OH South Iron | 2023 State MO 429 kills, 494 digs
Anna Parker Anna Parker 5'4" | DS/L South Iron | 2024 State MO 356 digs
2. Miller Cardinals 34-3-1
The defending Class 1 State Champions lost four starters last season but returned three impact players. If Miller stays in Class 1, they will contend for a repeat. The critical piece is replacing the four-year starting setter and finding the #2 outside. I don’t see Miller having much trouble winning another district title this year.
Key Returners:
Haylie Schnake 255 kills and 186 digs
Emberlynn Kingsley 251 kills and 33 blocks
Addison Stockton 442 digs
3. Lesterville Bearcats 23-8-4
Lesterville is another team that looked better over the summer than last year. The Bearcats finished 2nd two years ago and then came up short in the district final against South Iron in 5. Lesterville returns all but one starter and will need several underclassmen to step up this year if a return to the state playoffs is in order.
Key Returners:
Reese Gray Reese Gray 5'8" | OH Lesterville | 2023 State MO 648 kills and 470 digs
Grace Hicks Grace Hicks 5'5" | S Lesterville | 2023 State MO 240 digs, 934 assists, and 80 kills
Piper Fitzgerald Piper Fitzgerald 5'7" | OH Lesterville | 2023 State MO 313 kills and 368 digs
4. Winona Wildcats 29-10
The Wildcats lost to South Iron in the state playoffs 1-3 and should be contenders again this year, having lost just two starters. One of those was a four-year starting setter. Look for matchups with Lesterville on 9/26 and South Iron on 10/11. Finding a setter replacement is key for another winning season at Winona.
Key Returners:
Nevaeh Malawey Nevaeh Malawey 5'8" | RS Winona | 2023 State MO 476 kills and 328 digs
Bailee Luttrell 304 kills and 321 digs, and 62 blocks
Taylor Osborne 253 kills and 329 digs
5. Sacred Heart Gremlins 21-9-1
The Gremlins sound like the other top 4 teams by losing a few seniors from last year but return the bulk of the offense. Mark your calendars for the 9/28 date with Santa Fe, the team who knocked the Gremlins out of the state playoffs 0-3.
Key Returners:
Emma Siron Emma Siron 5'9" | OH Sacred Heart | 2023 State MO 484 kills and 243 digs
Mariana Restrepo 142 kills and 142 digs
Sammy Altena 308 assists and 140 digs