Class 2 Sectional Previews: Districts 1- 8 Winners

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Sectional 1: Portageville Bulldogs 28-4-2 vs. Scott City Rams 18-11-3</mark></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Portageville Bulldogs 28-4-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs are having one of the best seasons in school history and with a win will have the most wins in school history. They would win districts with sweeps of Malden and East Prairie. The biggest win of the season was winning the Clearwater Tournament where they knocked off Class 1 South Iron 2-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayla Weddington – 2024 – 5'7” – Middle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>249 kills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735534' first='Gloriaha' last='Farmer'] – 2026 – 5'8” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>233 kills and 261 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Laney Stone – 2024 – 5'10” – Middle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>191 kills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ja'Niya Smith – 2025 – 5'9” – Middle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>168 kills and 397 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several teams which both teams won.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bernie lost 1-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cape Central 2-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Scott City Rams 18-11-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An up-and-down season for the Rams is highlighted by a district championship with wins over Puxico 3-0 and Woodland 3-1 to move into the playoffs for the first time since 2011.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alyssa Dirden – 2024 – 5'8” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>248 kills and 211 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maggie Jones – 2025 – 5'4” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>204 kills and</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485634' first='Layla' last='Estes'] – 2027 – 5'4” – Libero</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>349 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ramsey Spinks – 2027 – 5'7” – Setter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>226 digs and 800 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several teams which both teams won.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bernie tied 1-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cape Central 0-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Portageville has the two best hitters in this matchup, but Scott City has the best defense and setter. It's going to come down to who can pass and play defense the best to determine the winner. Scott City will take the win 3-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Sectional 2: Arcadia Valley Tigers 15-15-4 vs. Collegiate School of Med-Bio Science Owls 18-11</mark></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Arcadia Valley Tigers 15-15-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AV is back in the playoffs for the first time since they finished second in 2018. They got there by knocking off Kingston and defending Class 2 champions Jefferson 3-1. They are on a three-game winning streak with their biggest wins of the season coming against Jefferson and South Iron.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cate Newstead-Adams – 2024 – 5'6” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>264 kills and 289 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='737619' first='Kayla' last='Sumpter'] – 2025 – 5'5” – Middle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>261 kills and 298 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='495335' first='Taylor' last='Lorenz'] – 2024 – 5'3” – Setter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>206 digs and 733 asssits</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents: None</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Collegiate School of Med-Bio Science Owls 17-11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Owls are in the playoffs for the first time in school history. They won districts with wins over Valley Park, Hancock, and Lift for Life Academy 3-2 to take the title. They only beat three teams this year with winning records.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sophie Wallace – 2026 – 5'7” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>137 kills and 116 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gbenesira Linus-Barwinwa – 2024 – 5'7” – Middle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>117 kills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zoe Ruffin – 2025 – 5'5” – Libero</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>130 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents: None</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Without any real knowledge of Med-Bio other than the minimal stats on MaxPreps. Arcadia Valley has played a much more rigid schedule and is battle-tested. This isn't Med-Bio season to win its first playoff game as Arcadia Valley takes the win in 3 straight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color"><strong>Sectional 3 Whitfield Warriors 17-11-2 vs. Hermann Bearcats 18-17</strong></mark></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whitfield Warriors 17-11-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've watched Whitfield play as a healthy team and they are a tough team. Big blockers and two powerful outsides. They won districts by knocking off Metro 3-0 and Villa Duchesne 3-2. It's their sixth district title in the last 13 years and looking for redemption after getting beat by Hermann in the playoffs last year 1-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='168047' first='Clare' last='Carroll'] – 2025 – 5'11” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>194 kills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='468287' first='Taryn' last='Jones'] – 2024 – 5'9” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>249 kills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ashley Stoddard – 2025 – 5'8” – Setter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>494 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Natalie Michelman – 2027 – 5'5” – Libero</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>224 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery County tie 1-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pacific lost 1-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ursuline Academy lost 0-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hermann Bearcats 18-17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 2 has been dominated by the Bearcats since the late 80s and going for their 16^th state title and their 29^th final-four appearance. This is a rebuilding year for Hermann and probably a first in over a decade. Don't think they are going to be an easy team to beat. It is the Powerhouse Hermann Bearcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Top Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490635' first='Sydney' last='Schulte'] – 2025 – 5'8” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>319 kills and 208 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jill Rood – 2024 – 5'10” – Middle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>278 kills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493022' first='Kennedie' last='Witthaus'] – 2025 – 5'3” – Libero</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>526 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breckyn Koeller – 2024 – 5'5” – Setter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>928 assists and 209 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery County won 3-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pacific lost 0-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ursuline Academy lost 0-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> This one is going to be tough. Whitfield wants redemption and has the height advantage, and Hermann has the defensive advantage. Hermann has a legacy and Whitfield is trying to get over the playoff hump. I've watched both teams play and can see them having a tremendous battle to keep their respective seasons alive. When it comes to playoffs Hermann is always at its best so I will take the Bearcats scraping out a 3-2 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Sectional 4 Stover Bulldogs 33-2 vs.</mark></strong><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color"><strong> Licking Wildcats 31-5-1</strong></mark></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stover Bulldogs 33-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the Bulldogs third straight district championship and they have yet to make the final four. This could be their year to do so. They started the year 24-0 before losing to Class 1 Northwest. The only other loss was to Southern Boone. They would win districts by beating both Russellville and Versailles 3-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493061' first='Ashlyn' last='Pinzke'] – 2025 – 5'9” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>496 kills and 275 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Allie Palmer – 2024 – 5'9” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>305 kills and 302 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='342444' first='Hannah' last='Bauer'] – 2024 – 5'3” – Libero</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>296 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponent:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conway won 3-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Licking Wildcats 31-5-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Licking was given a win over Houston by a forfeit for the district tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='195373' first='Hannah' last='Medlock'] - 2024 - 5'7" - Middle </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>436 kills and 296 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allie Hock - 2025 - 5'7" - Middle </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>272 kills and 225 digs </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='195385' first='Linzie' last='Wallace'] - 2025 - 5'5" - Setter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>208 digs and 473 assists </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponent:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conway won 3-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Both teams have tremendous outside hitters that also play fantastic defense. The team that can get more out of the role players will emerge victorious and from what I've watched on video Stover might have the edge defensively and Houston has the edge offensively. [player_tooltip player_id='195373' first='Hannah' last='Medlock'] can take over a match and her counterpart [player_tooltip player_id='493061' first='Ashlyn' last='Pinzke'] can do the same. The middle will be important in this one. Licking will take the win 3-2 on the play of their middle blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->