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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.
1.Advance Hornets 27-10 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. 2.Bell City Cubs 27-4-1 The Cubs are one team that could give Advance fits. They also return their entire lineup and will start six seniors. Eliana Bowling and Maddie Asher 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. 3.Santa Fe Chiefs 24-6-4 The Chiefs lost one game from a return to the final four. [player_tooltip player_id='170031'…
