Eyes on These Teams in Class 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We embark on another season of high school volleyball. With a new season comes previews of players and teams. Today we peek at some of the teams we deem are early favorites in Class 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Advance</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have started each preview with the defending state champion and this won't change today. They didn't drop a set during the state tournament and are hungry for a repeat. Advance went 35-3 a season ago and though they lost 500 plus kills from Alexis Hoffman, the cupboard isn't bare with tons of talent back in the gym. [player_tooltip player_id='170048' first='Addison' last='Carlton'] totaled 259 kills as a junior and will lead the way. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='475335' first='Olivia' last='Kennedy'] has much to build on from her freshman campaign which saw her get 148 kills and 64 blocks. Ball control and passing appear to be in good shape with the trio of Brogan Hawkins, [player_tooltip player_id='237006' first='Emma' last='Eilers'], and [player_tooltip player_id='230385' first='Kyndall' last='Hitt'] returning. Advance ran a two-setter system last year with Hitt leading the team in assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Iron</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state runner-up will look to get back to the final match and win it in 2024. They concluded the season with a 22-10 record and have the firepower back to improve on that record. A combined 835 kills return in the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='205304' first='Emmy' last='Gayle'], [player_tooltip player_id='174284' first='Lexie' last='Bollinger'], and Tamiya Burse. Gayle was the leader but will look to reduce her hitting errors in her senior season. They did graduate their top two leaders in the dig department but the previously mentioned trio were heavy contributors in this category. Bollinger shared setting duties last fall, so keeping an eye on this position as the season progresses will be important. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jasper</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jasper was knocked off in a tight quarterfinal match in the state quarterfinal. They are a team we think can return and go even further. All eyes will be on [player_tooltip player_id='234361' first='Crystal' last='Smith'] heading into the season. The senior had 654 kills last fall, hitting at an amazing 55% clip. She added close to 300 digs and 113 total blocks to display her defensive skill set. There are two players the Eagles will depend on offensively to contribute more after solid seasons in 2023. Junior Alivea Roberts and senior Emersyn Bass both had over 100 kills. [player_tooltip player_id='493079' first='Shiloh' last='Storm'] had over 200 digs and 1100 assists and will again be key to the team's success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wiona</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wiona went 15-16 a year ago but earned the top seed in the district. They lost a five-set battle in the district semifinal and are a team we must watch this season. Over 81% of their offensive production is back in 2024 led by Junior [player_tooltip player_id='237001' first='Taylor' last='Williams']. Junior Sophie Kile had over 200 kills. [player_tooltip player_id='232323' first='Lexi' last='Lindsey'] had just under 700 assists and returns for her Junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Archie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Archie was the winner of District 12 in 2023 and should be in the hunt again in 2024. The team has a key attacker back in Morgan Mattingley. The senior had 309 kills and 350 digs in her junior campaign. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='485602' first='Reagan' last='Tenholder'] busts out on the scene in her first year and shows she will be a force to reckon with for years. She had 177 kills and 52 blocks. The Whirlwinds bring back depth defensively with four players back who had 230 digs or more. Mollie Andrews paced the team with 356 while Lizzy Thompson contributed 343. The team will need to replace a setter in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->