Class 1 District 1-8 Previews

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 1 has a clear favorite at this point, and it's not the two-time defending state champions Advance. No worries about advancing their path to the final four shouldn't have too many hiccups. The winners of districts 1-4 and 5-8 could meet in the state championship finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Holcomb 20-8-1</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North Pemiscot 10-10</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cooter 7-10</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Southland 7-15-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>South Pemiscot 7-14</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Delta 1-13</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hayti 1-14</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Holcomb is the top seed for a reason. They've already beaten up everyone in the district and should breeze into the finals. <strong>Chloe Hendrix </strong>and <strong>Landynn Hodges</strong> are offensive threats that damage Holcomb. Holcomb sweeps its way past North Pemiscot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Clarkton 27-7-1</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gideon 19-7</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bernie 15-8-3</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Risco 14-14-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bloomfield 13-14-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Campbell 16-11-4</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Richland 1-16-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Clarkton will breeze into the finals and face the winner of Gideon and Bernie. The last time these two met, Gideon won 8-25, 25-22, 25-17, and 28-26, with <strong>Allisa Rogers</strong> and <strong>Lexus Muller</strong> scoring 17 for the Gideon win. Bernie received 12 kills from <strong>Blair Pleimling</strong> and 10 from <strong>Kealea Powell</strong>. Gideon will take the 5-set win to move to the finals against rival Clarkton. When the two teams met in the 2^nd game of the season, Clarkton came out with a 25-23, 25-20, 25-18 win. When the Reindeer are on and giving the ball to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='737677' first='Angel' last='Johnson']</strong> and her 1397 career kills, they will be hard to beat. This will be a battle, and the Reindeer will squeeze out a five-set win to move into the state playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Advance 18-10-2</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Leopold 20-7-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bell City 16-11-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Meadow Heights 16-12-4</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Oran 7-16</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Zalma 4-15-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Marquand 2-15</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> This one should be a much closer battle once the semifinals start. The first semifinal will pit Advance, the two-time defending Class 1 champion, against the Meadow Heights Panthers. Advance got the sweep over Meadow Heights earlier in the season and received 16 kills from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475335' first='Olivia' last='Kennedy']. [player_tooltip player_id='735551' first='Jaycee' last='Shelton']</strong> tried to keep Meadow Heights in the game with a team-high seven kills in the loss. Advance once again sweeps its way past Meadow Heights in the district finals. Semifinal 2 with Leopold and Bell City will be a much closer match as both teams have beaten the other in 5 setters. Both teams are young, and a 2027 player leads each team. I'm going with Leopold to pull out another 5-set win to move into the finals against Advance. <strong>Mollie Mannon</strong> and <strong>Preslie Mannon</strong> don't have enough to get past <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485590' first='Rylie' last='Schreiner']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735557' first='Piper' last='Lincoln'],</strong> so Leopold moves on. Advance and Leopold are very similar teams, and in the earlier season matchup, Advance pulled out the 24-26, 25-22, 25-21, and 25-17 wins. In the match, Advance received eight aces as the difference maker. Advance is a playoff team and will find ways to keep the ball off the floor, allowing their hitters to keep attacking. I think Leopold is one year away from making their push to a final four. Advance takes Leopold in a sweep to keep their hopes for a three-peat alive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>District 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>New Haven 17-9-2</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Oak Ridge 16-7-3</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Crystal City 9-10-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Brentwood 15-7</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Paul Lutheran 8-15-3</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Principia 5-13-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Crossroads 5-12-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> This one comes down to New Haven and Oak Ridge. The difference between these two teams is their competition level in each match. New Haven is in a conference with Class 3, 4, and 5 teams. Oak Ridge is led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493074' first='Reagan' last='Howe']</strong>, who became the first All-State volleyball player in school history last year. New Haven has a question mark on whether their best player<strong>, Avery Strubberg</strong>, is playing. The teams have one common opponent in Scott City. New Haven beat SC, while Oak Ridge lost to SC. The final will come down to defense and passing, and the edge goes to the Shamrocks from New Haven. New Haven will advance with a 3-1 winner over Oak Ridge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Tipton 15-10-4</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Smithton 17-9-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Northwest 11-14</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Columbia Independent 10-6</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Otterville 6-12</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Chamois 7-18-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bunceton 2-16</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490142' first='Kaitlyn' last='Tuttle']</strong> will lead Tipton into the finals with an easy semifinal win over Otterville. Smithton and Northwest will meet in the other semifinal, and Northwest is looking for its third win over Smithton this season. Northwest wins in four to keep their hopes alive for a return trip to the final four. In the championship, Tipton and Northwest will be a toss-up for me. <strong>Gabriella Meyer</strong> and <strong>Mary</strong> <strong>Walker</strong> helped the Mustangs stay alive with the 4-set win over Tipton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Bismarck 27-5-1</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lesterville 20-8-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ellington 18-14-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bunker 17-8-5</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>South Iron 12-15-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Viburnum 14-13</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Valley 8-15-3</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> This is one of the state's more balanced Class 1 districts. Four teams are pushing toward 20-win seasons, and South Iron, last year's Class 1 runner-up, is also involved. One of the most intriguing matchups in this district will come from fourth-seeded Bunker and fifth-seeded South Iron in the quarterfinals. Bunker swept South Iron in the BRL tournament, and South Iron swept Bunker 10 days later, but the difference in those games was Bunker Big Middle, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236987' first='Kinsey' last='Barton']</strong>. She didn't play when South Iron won the last game, and she is the difference maker. Bunker will pull out the 5-set win, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236987' first='Kinsey' last='Barton']</strong> going for 20+ kills in the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal 1</strong> will put Bunker and Bismarck in a tight game. Bismarck squeaked out a 5-set win over Bunker, winning the 5^th set 16-14. This one will be the same battle as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236994' first='Ashley' last='Hawkins']</strong> makes big play after big play to give Bismarck another 5-set win over Bunker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal 2</strong> will pit Lesterville and Ellington, who also split their two matches this season. Lesterville took the BRL tournament title, knocking off Ellington in a sweep. Ellington beat Lesterville in the early part of the season 3-1. Lesterville just came off a 2^nd place finish at the Sparta Tournament, while Ellington has been 4- 5- 1 since the Perryville Tournament. Lesterville is seeking redemption after Ellington knocked the Bearcats out of the playoffs last year. If Lesterville can play solid defense and pass consistently, they should hold off on the Whippets 3-1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals:</strong> Lesterville will meet with Bismarck in the championship match. Bismarck took a 3-1 victory over Lesterville on Monday, getting big play from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236994' first='Ashley' last='Hawkins']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='729484' first='Loryn' last='Pierson']</strong>, giving Bismarck a 3-1 win over the Bearcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Winona 27-3-2</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Eminence 12-20</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Summersville 11-21</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Couch 13-15-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bakersfield 11-15</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dora 8-17-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Koshkonong 4-15-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Winona will advance to the finals and face the winner of Eminence and Summersville, which Winona has swept. Eminence will win over Summersville by pitting them against Winona. Winona trounced Eminence in their meeting earlier this season. [player_tooltip player_id='232323' first='Lexi' last='Lindsey'] will feed her big hitters <strong>Sadie Kile, [player_tooltip player_id='237001' first='Taylor' last='Williams']</strong>, and<strong> Lauren Martin </strong>for an easy 3-0 win over the Eminence Redwings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Chadwick 18-11</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bradleyville 9-10-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mansfield 9-20-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Plato 9-17-4</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Greenwood 2-19-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Niangua 0-17-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Chadwick will repeat and win the title over Bradleyville in five sets. Little information is available on any of the teams in this district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->