Class 1 Quarterfinal Previews

Clarkton 31-6   Vs. Advance 24-10   Common Opponents: Advance is 6-1, and Clarkton is 6-2, both with losses to Cape Notre Dame. Gideon is the other common opponent, Advance has a 3-1 win over Gideon, and Clarkton has both a win/loss with Gideon. Advance relies heavily on its middles, while Clarkton has a good mix of its middles and outsides. Advance is the winner of its last eight, and Clarkton has won six straight. Advance Hornets will win the ball control and middle attack, and Clarkton will look to keep Hoffman from controlling the game at the net. Whoever can get production from the role players will be vital in advancing to the final four.   Clarkton Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='234482' first='Montana' last='Pearson'] – 2023 – Outside – 5'7"   375 kills and 272 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='234483' first='Bree' last='Winchester'] – 2024 – Middle – 5'10"   239 kills   [player_tooltip player_id='737677' first='Angel' last='Johnson'] – 2025 – Middle – 5'8"   272 kills and 42 blocks   [player_tooltip player_id='227280' first='Brinley' last='Cowart'] – 2025 – Setter – 5'6"   329 digs and 918 assists   Advance Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='168900' first='Alexis' last='Hoffman'] – 2024 – Middle/Setter – 6'2"   476 kills, 71 blocks, and 383 assists   Addison Carlton – 2025 – Outside – 5'5"   218 kills and 288 digs   Abigail Kennedy – 2024 – Middle – 5'9"   191 kills and 32 blocks   [player_tooltip player_id='237006' first='Emma' last='Eilers'] – 2026 – Libero – 5'4”   293 digs   Santa Fe 24-5-4   Vs. Tarkio 33-6   The only common opponent is Lutheran KC, and both beat Lutheran in sweeps by similar scores. Santa Fe is looking to return to the final four after finishing 3rd last season and losing a heartbreaker in the semifinals to eventual champion Miller. Tarkio is looking for its first trip to the final four, while Santa Fe is seeking its 24th trip. Both teams have dynamic hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='170031' first='Kameron' last='Dankenbring'] and [player_tooltip player_id='237003' first='Natalie' last='Hedlund']. Tarkio will win the battle in the middle, and Santa Fe will win the outside hitters. The winner will come down to defense and blocking, giving Tarkio the edge.   Santa Fe Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='170031' first='Kameron' last='Dankenbring'] – 2024 – Outside – 5'10”   390 kills and 238 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='174283' first='Emma' last='Michael'] – 2025 – Middle – 5'10"   211 kills   Jasmine Russell – 2025 – Outside – 5'5"   187 kills and 233 digs   Atleigh Lark – 2023 – Libero – 5'4"   370 digs   Tarkio Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='237003' first='Natalie' last='Hedlund'] – 2023 – Outside – 5'11”   437 kills and 331 digs, and 76 blocks   [player_tooltip player_id='240830' first='Emilee' last='Caudill'] – 2023 – Libero – 5'4”   445 digs   Claire Martin – 2024 – Setter – 5'6”   966 assists and 348 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='737692' first='Lizzie' last='Schlueter'] – 2025 – Middle – 5'10   257 kills and 73 blocks   Lesterville 27-8-1   Vs. Winona 27-6-5   The quarterfinal at Winona will be the hot ticket for Class 1. These two met in late September, and Winona walked off with a 25-18, 18-25, 25-11, 25-20 win over the Bearcats. Looking at the common opponents, Winona is 6-2-2, while Lesterville went 8-3. The Bearcats are looking for its second final four in three years and six overall. Winona has been looking to return to the final four since 2017 and the 15th overall. Winona lost to South Iron 3-0, and Lesterville beat South Iron for the district title 3-0. Both teams have great setters to feed their big hitters, but the defense and passing game will win this one.   Lesterville Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='123465' first='Reese' last='Gray'] – 2023 – Outside – 5'8"   549 kills and 377 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='168921' first='Piper' last='Fitzgerald'] – 2023 – Outside – 5'6"   269 kills and 274 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='152153' first='Grace' last='Hicks'] – 2023 – Setter – 5'5"   114 kills, 210 digs, and 979 assists   [player_tooltip player_id='170049' first='Sidney' last='Hawkins'] – 2025 – Middle – 5'9"   163 kills   Winona Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='152145' first='Nevaeh' last='Malawey'] – 2023 – Opposite – 5'9"   423 kills and 314 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='240828' first='Taylor' last='Osborne'] – 2023 – Middle – 5'9"   321 kills and 218 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='240829' first='Bailee' last='Luttrell'] – 2023 – Middle – 5'9"   314 kills and 269 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='232323' first='Lexi' last='Lindsey'] – 2026 – Setter – 5'4"   1036 assists   Miller 29-4-2   Vs. Drexel 29-5   The defending Class 1 state champions are back in the quarterfinals, looking for a repeat season. Drexel is seeking the school's first trip to the final four and comes in as the underdog riding a 9-game winning streak. Miller started the year on an 11-game winning streak of its own. Miller has a massive block in the middle, solid outside hitters, and defense is strong again this year. Drexel has a trio of senior hitters looking to make school history. The key will be in the middle; if Drexel can keep Kingsley from dominating, Drexel has a good chance of making its first final four, but if not, Miller can take it in a sweep.   Drexel Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='240827' first='Olivia' last='Shipps'] – 2023 – Middle – 5'9"   238 kills and 458 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='240826' first='Paige' last='Gordon'] – 2023 – Outside – 5'9"   235 kills and 308 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='240825' first='Emily' last='Wheeler'] – 2023- Outside – 5'10"   399 kills and 350 digs   Miller Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='234469' first='Emberlynn' last='Kingsley'] – 2023 – Middle – 6'2"   410 kills and 65 blocks   [player_tooltip player_id='234470' first='Haylie' last='Schnake'] – 2023 – Outside – 5'7"   334 kills and 271 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='234471' first='Addison' last='Stockton'] – 2023 – Libero – 5'3"   540 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='234472' first='Lillie' last='Ricketts'] – 2023 – Setter – 5'4”   764 assists and 157 digs

Clarkton 31-6