Class 1 Quarterfinal Previews
In this article:
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…
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Continue ReadingClarkton 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:
Montana Pearson Montana Pearson 5'7" | OH Clarkton | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Outside – 5’7″
375 kills and 272 digs
Bree Winchester Bree Winchester 5'10" | MB Clarkton | 2024 State MO – 2024 – Middle – 5’10”
239 kills
Angel Johnson – 2025 – Middle – 5’8″
272 kills and 42 blocks
Brinley Cowart Brinley Cowart 5'6" | S Clarkton | 2025 State MO – 2025 – Setter – 5’6″
329 digs and 918 assists
Advance Key Players:
Alexis Hoffman Alexis Hoffman 5'11" | MB Advance | 2024 State MO – 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
Emma Eilers Emma Eilers 5'4" | OH Advance | 2026 State MO – 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 Kameron Dankenbring Kameron Dankenbring 5'9" | OH Santa Fe | 2024 State MO and Natalie Hedlund Natalie Hedlund 5'11" | MB East Atchison | 2023 State MO . 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:
Kameron Dankenbring Kameron Dankenbring 5'9" | OH Santa Fe | 2024 State MO – 2024 – Outside – 5’10”
390 kills and 238 digs
Emma Michael Emma Michael 5'7" | MB Santa Fe | 2025 State MO – 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:
Natalie Hedlund Natalie Hedlund 5'11" | MB East Atchison | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Outside – 5’11”
437 kills and 331 digs, and 76 blocks
Emilee Caudill Emilee Caudill 5'4" | DS/L Tarkio | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Libero – 5’4”
445 digs
Claire Martin – 2024 – Setter – 5’6”
966 assists and 348 digs
Lizzie 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:
Reese Gray Reese Gray 5'8" | OH Lesterville | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Outside – 5’8″
549 kills and 377 digs
Piper Fitzgerald Piper Fitzgerald 5'7" | OH Lesterville | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Outside – 5’6″
269 kills and 274 digs
Grace Hicks Grace Hicks 5'5" | S Lesterville | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Setter – 5’5″
114 kills, 210 digs, and 979 assists
Sidney Hawkins Sidney Hawkins 5'10" | OH Lesterville | 2025 State MO – 2025 – Middle – 5’9″
163 kills
Winona Key Players:
Nevaeh Malawey Nevaeh Malawey 5'8" | RS Winona | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Opposite – 5’9″
423 kills and 314 digs
Taylor Osborne Taylor Osborne 5'9" | MB Winona | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Middle – 5’9″
321 kills and 218 digs
Bailee Luttrell Bailee Luttrell 5'9" | MB Winona | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Middle – 5’9″
314 kills and 269 digs
Lexi Lindsey Lexi Lindsey 5'4" | S Winona | 2026 State MO – 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:
Olivia Shipps Olivia Shipps 5'9" | MB Drexel | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Middle – 5’9″
238 kills and 458 digs
Paige Gordon Paige Gordon 5'9" | OH Drexel | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Outside – 5’9″
235 kills and 308 digs
Emily Wheeler Emily Wheeler 5'10" | OH Drexel | 2023 State MO – 2023- Outside – 5’10”
399 kills and 350 digs
Miller Key Players:
Emberlynn Kingsley Emberlynn Kingsley 6'2" | MB Miller | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Middle – 6’2″
410 kills and 65 blocks
Haylie Schnake Haylie Schnake 5'8" | OH Miller | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Outside – 5’7″
334 kills and 271 digs
Addison Stockton Addison Stockton 5'3" | DS/L Miller | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Libero – 5’3″
540 digs
Lillie Ricketts Lillie Ricketts 5'4" | S Miller | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Setter – 5’4”
764 assists and 157 digs