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<p>2023 was an exciting year for Saint Louis and the surrounding area, with several teams winning state championships. Each year the classes get bigger and better, and this year is no different. The 2026 class is talented deep in the area and throughout the state. Over the next week, I will release my first and second team members for each class. Here are the second team members for the 2026 class.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236992' first='Maggie' last='Gunn'] - Middle – Kirkwood</strong></p>
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<p>A 6'0" raw middle for the Pioneers will develop into a ball bouncer over the next few years. She is quick off her feet with great vertical and tip placement. Maggie would finish with 111 kills and 28 blocks.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236998' first='Ava' last='Blankenship'] – Middle – Sullivan</strong></p>
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<p>Blankenship was an essential part of Sullivan's run in the playoffs. The 5'10" middle finished the year with 186 kills and 66 blocks. With more experience, Blankenship will leave her mark on the Eagles.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222578' first='Georgia' last='Hite'] – Outside – Burroughs</strong></p>
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<p>The Bombers have been putting out some outstanding volleyball players the last couple of years, and Hite will be the next in line. The 5'11 outside finished with 180 kills on the season and has the height and reach to become a deadly outside.</p>
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<p><strong>Sofia Gunther – Outside – Visitation Academy</strong></p>
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<p>Gunther became a vital part of the Vivettes offense, finishing 3<sup>rd</sup> in kills with 167 and 4<sup>th</sup> in digs with 144. Sofia uses all her reach to hit the ball high off the block and has an excellent line shot. She will need to be more offense-minded next year</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237006' first='Emma' last='Eilers'] – Outside - Advance</strong></p>
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<p>She might only be 5'4," but she made a massive difference in Advance, winning another state title in Class 1. If the Hornets didn't rely on her offensively, she would be an outstanding libero, as she finished with 338 digs and 161 kills.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232323' first='Lexi' last='Lindsey'] – Setter - Winona</strong></p>
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<p>The dynamo setter for the Wildcats replaced a four-year starting setter and ended the year 1<sup>st</sup> in assists for a freshman with 1202. She'll be one of the best setters to graduate from the Class 1 powerhouse.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232326' first='Claudia' last='Jones'] – Setter - Notre Dame</strong></p>
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<p>Another newbie for the Bulldogs is Jones, a 5'7" setter that helped run the offense and assists leader with 505 and added 190 digs. She has a big target to feed in the middle for the next three years, so watch her assists numbers skyrocket.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222076' first='Abby' last='Schoene'] – Opposite – Timberland</strong></p>
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<p>The 5'11 opposite of the Wolves will develop into a mean right-pin hitter. She has the height, wingspan, and power to become a dynamite opposite. She finished with 134 kills in her first season at Timberland.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='389497' first='Hannah' last='Patton'] – Libero – Summit</strong></p>
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<p>Summit had a steady backcourt, and Hannah was the glue that held it together. She is a Savy defender that gets on the floor when needed, and her quick read of the ball gives her the edge to scoop up 288 digs this year.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222581' first='Jessie' last='Hawkins'] – DS – Festus</strong></p>
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<p>Hawkins will become a nasty defender for the Tigers as she finished with 286 digs on the season. She is quick, reads the ball well, and isn't afraid to hit the ground for a dig.</p>
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2023 was an exciting year for Saint Louis and the surrounding area, with several teams winning state championships. Each year the classes get bigger and better, and this year is no different. The 2026 class is talented deep in the area and throughout the state. Over the next week, I will release my first and second team members for each class. Here are the second team members for the 2026 class.
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