Class 1 Preseason Rankings 1-5
Prep Dig Staff
In this article:
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<p><strong>Class 1 was one of the more exciting classes last year, as a couple of the favorites ended their seasons earlier than expected. Ultimately, a team loaded with youthful talent would take the title. Advance Hornets will look to repeat once again with a loaded squad but will have a massive challenge from a district foe if they want a chance at repeating. </strong></p>
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<p>1.<strong>Advance Hornets 27-10</strong></p>
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<p>Advance caught fire at the right time last year and won another Class 1 state championship. With the entire roster returning, led by [player_tooltip player_id='168900' first='Alexis' last='Hoffman'] and Abigail Kennedy, it will be a tall order for someone to knock them off from defending their state championship.</p>
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<p>2.<strong>Bell City Cubs 27-4-1</strong></p>
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<p>The Cubs are one team that could give Advance fits. They also return their entire lineup and will start six seniors. <strong>Eliana</strong> <strong>Bowling</strong> and <strong>Maddie Asher</strong> will be a tough middle combo. Advance and Bell City usually are placed in the same district, so one of the top two teams will not make it out of the districts.</p>
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<p>3.<strong>Santa Fe Chiefs 24-6-4</strong></p>
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<p>The Chiefs lost one game from a return to the final four. [player_tooltip player_id='170031' first='Kameron' last='Dankenbring'] is a hard-hitting outside, and [player_tooltip player_id='174283' first='Emma' last='Michael'] returns in the middle. Santa Fe has the potential for a return to the final four.</p>
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<p>4.<strong>Miller Cardinals 31-5-1</strong></p>
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<p>Class 1 runner-ups Cardinals were hit hard by graduation but returned enough to make another run come playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id='237008' first='Ashlynn' last='Helton'] 2026 is the big hitter returning and should get much help from classmate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490122' first='Rachel' last='Nunez']</strong>.</p>
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<p>5.<strong>South Iron Panthers 22-6-4</strong></p>
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<p>It could be the year the Panthers return to the final four. They have several key pieces returning with middle [player_tooltip player_id='168908' first='Enzley' last='Dinkins'], outside [player_tooltip player_id='205304' first='Emmy' last='Gayle'] and a tough libero in [player_tooltip player_id='168909' first='Anna' last='Parker'].</p>
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Class 1 was one of the more exciting classes last year, as a couple of the favorites ended their seasons earlier than expected. Ultimately, a team loaded with youthful talent would take the title. Advance Hornets will look to repeat once again with a loaded squad but will have a massive challenge from a district foe if they want a chance at repeating.
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