Class 1 Districts 1-8 Previews: Key Matchups and Storylines

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here we are again, and it's my favorite time of the year! Playoffs begin this week across the state of Missouri as we start to narrow down the teams in Class 1. By this time next week, we will have our final 16 teams remaining. Let's dive into the previews for Class 1 Districts 1 through 8!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 1 Standings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Holcomb: 23-8-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>North Pemiscot: 18-9-2</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>South Pemiscot: 6-13-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cooter: 4-13</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Delta: 2-12</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hayti: 3-12</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Southland: 0-17</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finalists</strong>: Holcomb and North Pemiscot are expected to advance to the finals with ease, as both teams should handle their semifinal matches without significant trouble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Head-to-Head</strong>: Holcomb and North Pemiscot recently faced off, resulting in a close match where Holcomb triumphed with scores of 14-25, 25-19, 25-19, 23-25, and 15-13.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Key Players</strong>: In the loss against Holcomb, North Pemiscot was led by three standout hitters from the 2028 class:<!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Emma Wagley</strong>: 21 points</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Emily Cecil:</strong> 10 points</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Maelyn McCulloch:</strong> 12 points</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Prediction</strong>: North Pemiscot is projected to take the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 2 Standings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bernie: 22-10-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Gideon: 28-3</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Risco: 19-11-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bloomfield: 9-15</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Campbell: 12-16-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Clarkton: 7-22-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Richland: 5-12</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finalists</strong>: The top two teams, Bernie and Gideon, are anticipated to reach the finals with relative ease.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal Matchups</strong>:<!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bernie vs<strong>. </strong>Risco: Bernie is expected to win decisively with a 3-0 score.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gideon vs. Bloomfield: Gideon should secure their third victory of the season against Bloomfield, setting up a showdown with Bernie.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Historical Rivalry</strong>: Bernie and Gideon have a storied history of competing against each other in the state playoffs. Their upcoming match is anticipated to be thrilling.<!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Previous Encounters</strong>: Gideon defeated Bernie 2-0 earlier this season, but Bernie bounced back 11 days later with a hard-fought win: 27-25, 18-25, 20-25, 27-25, 15-10.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Key Players</strong>:<!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In the earlier loss to Bernie, Gideon's Karli Ashabranner recorded an impressive 29 kills, while [player_tooltip player_id='815709' first='Layla' last='Watkins'] contributed 30 kills.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>For Bernie, [player_tooltip player_id='795207' first='Kalli' last='Mason'] stood out with 38 digs, and [player_tooltip player_id='811706' first='Blair' last='Pleimling'] added 22 kills.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Championship Match</strong>: Gideon is expected to leverage their youth and teamwork to edge out Bernie in a closely contested match, winning 3-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 3 Standings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Leopold: 24-7-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bell City: 25-5</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Advance</strong>: 18-13-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Oak Ridge:<strong> </strong>23-6-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Meadow Heights: 21-9</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Oran: 14-14-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Zalma<strong>:</strong> 7-21</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Competitive Landscape</strong>: This district is highly competitive, with any of the top five teams capable of clinching the title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Quarterfinal Matchup</strong>:<!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Meadow Heights vs. Oak Ridge:<strong> </strong>Oak Ridge is projected to win a close match, advancing 3-2 to face Leopold.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchup</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bell City vs. Advance: Both teams are expected to secure decisive 3-0 victories over Oran and Zalma, respectively.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Leopold vs.<strong> </strong>Meadow Heights: Leopold is anticipated to win easily against Meadow Heights to secure their finals spot.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Historical Context</strong>: Advance has been nearly unbeatable in district play over the past decade. However, Bell City is determined to break their playoff losing streak against Advance. Recently, Advance swept Bell City, with standout player [player_tooltip player_id='475335' first='Olivia' last='Kennedy'] contributing 13 kills in that match.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Championship Match</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals</strong>: The anticipated matchup will be Leopold vs. Advance. In their last meeting, Leopold emerged victorious with scores of 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 20-25, and 15-13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Key Performers</strong>:<!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='475335' first='Olivia' last='Kennedy'] from Advance had an impressive 23 kills and six blocks in the previous loss.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Leopold's [player_tooltip player_id='485590' first='Rylie' last='Schreiner'] shone with 28 kills.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outcome Prediction</strong>: While Advance has the experience of thriving in high-pressure situations, Leopold has historically struggled under pressure. This year, however, the Hornets' experience and defensive strength are expected to give them the edge they need to win in a thrilling five-set match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 4 Standings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Bismarck: 32-3</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Valley of Caledonia: 11-7-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Crystal City: 13-10-3</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Paul Lutheran: 11-14-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Principia: 11-7-3</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>New Haven: 6-20-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Crossroads Prep: 5-16</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finalists</strong>: Bismarck is expected to advance to the finals without any significant challenges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal Matchup</strong>: The upcoming semifinal between Valley of Caledonia and Crystal City is anticipated to be competitive. In their last encounter, Valley won a thrilling five-set match, edging out Crystal City 16-14. However, I predict Crystal City will turn the tables this time and secure a victory in another five-set showdown, advancing to the finals.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Championship Match</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals Outlook</strong>: Regardless of who Bismarck faces in the finals, they are clearly the dominant team in this district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Previous Encounters</strong>: Bismarck has faced Crystal City twice this season, winning both matches decisively and not allowing Crystal City to score more than 15 points in any of the five sets played.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Key Players</strong>:<!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='800392' first='Halie' last='Dickey'] (2026) contributed significantly with 16 digs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='834299' first='Kinsey' last='Hubbs'] (2026) excelled with 29 assists.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: Bismarck is poised to win their second consecutive district title and advance to the quarterfinals with confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 5 Standings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Calvary Lutheran: 14-6-2</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Otterville: 11-15</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Columbia Independent: 10-10</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Christian Fellowship: 8-11</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Prairie Home: 3-13-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bunceton: 1-18-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Chamois: 1-18</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Champion Outlook</strong>: Calvary Lutheran has been dominant in the district, having not lost a single set to any opponent. Given their impressive performance, I predict they will undoubtedly win this district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Key Players</strong>:<!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Sydney Foutes (</strong>2028): 173 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Teagan Foley </strong>(2028): 165 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ailyn McDonald </strong>(2028):<strong> </strong>119 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 6 Standings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ellington</strong>: 27-4-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Eminence: 17-13-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bunker: 10-19-4</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>South Iron: 7-19</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lesterville: 11-20-4</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Viburnum: 3-22</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Marquand: 0-17</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Champion on the Horizon</strong>: Lesterville and South Iron have dominated this district for over a decade, but this season is set to see a new champion emerge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal Matchups</strong>:<!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ellington vs. South Iron: Ellington is predicted to secure a decisive 3-0 victory over South Iron to advance to the finals.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Eminence vs. Bunker: Eminence is expected to sweep Bunker in the other semifinal match.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Championship Match</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals Preview</strong>: In their first meeting of the season, Ellington defeated Eminence with scores of 25-15, 25-13, and 25-19. Key performances included:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828319' first='Megan' last='Copeland']</strong>: 11 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='796609' first='Madelyn' last='Cowin']</strong>: 12 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735566' first='Tayleigh' last='Cowin']</strong>: 25 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellington is vying for their first district championship since the early 90s and I predict they will get the 3-0 sweep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 7 Standings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Winona</strong>: 32-4</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Couch: 25-9-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Summersville: 11-12</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bakersfield: 10-9</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dora: 11-16-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mansfield: 8-23</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Koshkonong: 5-24-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dominance of Winona</strong>: Winona is expected to win this district effortlessly. No team has scored more than 13 points against them this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal Matchup</strong>: Couch will edge out Summersville in a close match, winning 3-2. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Championship Match</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals Outlook</strong>: Winona, the defending state champions, will likely sweep Couch in the final match. In their previous meeting, the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='827737' first='Sadie' last='Kile'], [player_tooltip player_id='828367' first='Taylor' last='Williams'], and [player_tooltip player_id='834589' first='Lauren' last='Martin'] combined for an impressive 29 kills against Couch, demonstrating Winona's offensive strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 8 Standings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>School of the Ozarks</strong>: 16-8-6</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Greenwood: 4-15-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bradleyville: 13-19-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Chadwick: 4-17-3</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gloria Deo Academy: 3-16-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Niangua: 1-14-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lutie: 0-15-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals Projection</strong>: School of the Ozarks is expected to advance to the finals, where they will face Greenwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Key Player</strong>: Bennett Houston (2029) is anticipated to lead her senior-laden team in kills, currently boasting an impressive 163 kills this season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outcome Prediction</strong>: School of the Ozarks will get the sweep in the finals over Greenwood, claiming the district title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->