Class 1 Pre-Season Rankings 1-5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending champions, Winona Wildcats, aim to repeat their success with a strong returning roster, while Bismarck and Advance look to capitalize on their experience to make deep playoff runs. Meanwhile, Galena and Leopold are eager to prove themselves, with promising lineups that could shake up the competition in their quest for the final four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Galena Bears (30-9)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836094' first='Melanie' last='Rice']</strong> led all of Class 1 last season with an impressive 632 kills, but the Bears will need to rely on some less experienced players to make another playoff run. After a one-year absence from the final four, Galena is eager to return to the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leopold Wildcats (22-8-1)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With nearly all of their starters returning, the Wildcats have the potential to challenge Advance this year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828494' first='Piper' last='Lincoln'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485590' first='Rylie' last='Schreiner']</strong> come back with a combined total of 651 kills, supported by one of the best setters in Class 1, <strong>Ashtyn Vandeven</strong>. The outlook for Leopold is very promising.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Advance Hornets (23-12-2)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After making it to the title match last season but falling to Winona, the Hornets are determined to return to the final four. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237006' first='Emma' last='Eilers'], Brogan Hawkins</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230385' first='Kyndall' last='Hitt']</strong> are set on making their fourth consecutive trip to the championship match, bringing experience and skill to the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Bismarck Indians (31-6-1)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bismarck came within a set of reaching the final four last year before losing to Winona in a hard-fought five-set match. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807849' first='Ashley' last='Hawkins']</strong> finished the season with 557 kills, and the return of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='811547' first='Ayla' last='Hawkins']</strong> in the middle could prove crucial. Ayla began the season strong with 10 kills on a .316 hitting percentage before an injury cut her season short.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Winona Wildcats (34-3-2)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending state champions are well-positioned to repeat their success, returning their entire roster. Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828367' first='Taylor' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='807397' first='Sophie' last='Kile']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232323' first='Lexi' last='Lindsey']</strong> are determined to secure a second title, while 2028 standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827737' first='Sadie' last='Kile']</strong> dominated in the middle last season with 547 kills. The only team that could potentially challenge Winona is Bismarck, currently ranked second.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->