Class 1 Title Contenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that we are underway for another great high school volleyball season let's look at some of the top teams coming into the season. Can Advance make it three in a row, or is there a Class 1 team built to knock the Hornets off the nest? Here are my picks for this year's title favorites. Things could change once MSHSAA has released the class assignments later this month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Advance Hornets 35-3-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two-time defending state champions are on a collision course for a three-peat and looking for their seventh state title in the last eight years. The team must fill a void left by graduation, but the cupboard is full of talent. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='170048' first='Addison' last='Carlton'], [player_tooltip player_id='237006' first='Emma' last='Eilers']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475335' first='Olivia' last='Kennedy']</strong> return for the offensive, combining 562 kills last season and 694 digs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230385' first='Kyndall' last='Hitt']</strong> returns to the setter position and should take full responsibility for the offense. <strong>Brogan Hawkins </strong>will return at libero and her 250 digs. If the team can replace what was lost from graduation, they will again be on the title hunt. Never count out the Hornets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jasper Eagles 36-2-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jasper returns the state kill leader in all classes in<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='234361' first='Crystal' last='Smith']</strong> and her 654 and 1424 career kills. Jasper lost one game from the final four, a 2-3 loss to Galena. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493079' first='Shiloh' last='Storm']</strong> returns for her final year looking for a big season to add to her 2129 career assists.<strong> Alivea</strong> <strong>Roberts</strong> and <strong>Emersyn Bass</strong> return to the outside position, while <strong>Chloe Storm</strong> will help anchor the other middle position and expect big things from Chloe this season. Redemption is on the mind for the Eagles, and don't be surprised if you watch them in the final four this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leopold Wildcats 24-6-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats could start four 2026 players this season, but they are a talented young team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735557' first='Piper' last='Lincoln'], [player_tooltip player_id='485590' first='Rylie' last='Schreiner'],</strong> and <strong>Ava</strong> <strong>Jansen</strong> will lead the attack, and the team will return 764 of 1018 kills from last season. The glue that holds the team together is 2027 setter <strong>Ashtyn Van De Ven</strong>, one of the better setters in Class 1 with 815 assists from last year. Leopold might be one year away from the final four because they most likely will be in the same district with Advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bismarck Indians 25-11-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In last year's district tournament, Bismarck lost a five-set heartbreaker to Class 1 runner-up South Iron. They return three of the top four hitters from last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236994' first='Ashley' last='Hawkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='236999' first='Halie' last='Dickey']</strong>, and <strong>Alyssa Brake</strong> bring back 761 kills and 1216 digs. <strong>Kinsey Hubbs</strong> and <strong>Morgan Randazzo</strong> will help tremendously on both sides of the ball, as Randazzo should wear a jersey of a different color. If Bismarck is in the same district this season, it will take a considerable effort to win it and move on to the state playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Appleton City Bulldogs 27-7-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After suffering a five-set loss to eventual third-place finisher Northwest last year, the Bulldogs returned everyone but two, with 919 kills and 1286 digs. The big if for AC, it will replace a top-notch libero. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237005' first='Olivia' last='Engeman']</strong> is one of the top 2026 players in Class 1 returns, a do-it-all all-player, and a fantastic defender. <strong>Kaylee O'Farrell</strong> returns for her junior year, and <strong>Alexis Turner</strong>, the team's leading blocker, will help defensively at the net. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490146' first='Kady' last='James']</strong> returns after a great season, and her 1001 career assists is once again tasked with getting her hitters the ball. The Bulldogs must battle through a tough sectional and quarterfinal to make the trip to Cape this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->