Missouri Class 1 Rankings

Defending champions Winona Wildcats are looking to reclaim their crown despite a challenging setback at the Jackson Tournament, while Bismarck Indians have been on a winning spree since their last loss. The Leopold Wildcats face tough opponents to close out their season, and the Ellington Whippets are inching closer to their first district title in decades. Each team brings its own strengths and standout players. Let's explore how each team is shaping up and what improvements they need to make on their journey to the final four!   Winona Wildcats 30-4   The defending Class 1 champions faced a tough weekend at the Jackson Tournament, suffering three losses against formidable opponents: Class 5 Kirkwood, Incarnate Word Academy, and Class 2 title contender Valle Catholic. As they prepare to close out the season with a critical match against Leopold, this will be a significant challenge before entering their district tournament. Notably, 2026 setter [player_tooltip player_id='232323' first='Lexi' last='Lindsey'] is on the brink of a remarkable milestone, poised to surpass 4,000 career assists in just a few matches.   Bismarck Indians (29-2)   Bismarck has been on a winning streak since their five-set loss to Valle Catholic on September 25th, showing no signs of slowing down. They are expected to handle Lesterville comfortably next week, followed by the tough MAAA conference tournament. With a strong defensive duo in [player_tooltip player_id='800392' first='Halie' last='Dickey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='795252' first='Karlee' last='Dickey'], who have combined for an impressive 469 digs, the Indians are ready to make a deep run in the playoffs.   Leopold Wildcats (25-5-2)   Leopold concludes their season with two challenging matches against top-tier teams: Winona and Class 2 powerhouse St. Vincent. All five of their losses and two ties have come from encounters with Class 3 and Class 4 teams, highlighting their resilience. The 2027 outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='485590' first='Rylie' last='Schreiner'] is leading the charge offensively, averaging 5.5 kills per set, which will be crucial in their upcoming contests.   Ellington Whippets (25-4-1)   With three manageable games on the horizon, the Whippets are on the brink of achieving their first district title since the early 1990s. Star 2027 player [player_tooltip player_id='828319' first='Megan' last='Copeland'] has been a key contributor, leading the team in kills with 275. If they navigate their upcoming matches successfully, Ellington could find themselves just one game away from the final four, potentially facing Winona.   Bell City Cubs (23-4)   The Cubs recently triumphed over Gideon with scores of 25-18, 25-14, and 27-25. However, they find themselves in a competitive district alongside Advance, Leopold, Meadow Heights, and Oak Ridge. To secure a spot in the district finals, they must overcome Advance. The dynamic duo of 2027, [player_tooltip player_id='827427' first='Mollie' last='Mannon'] and Gwenyth Bowling, led the team in kills, contributing 194 and 131, respectively.   Archie Whirlwinds (21-4-1)   The Whirlwinds clinched the sixth spot in the rankings after a closely contested match against Northland Christian, winning 25-22, 18-25, and 15-12. Standout southpaw middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='485602' first='Reagan' last='Tenholder'] shone brightly in that match, racking up 14 kills with an impressive hitting percentage of .455. With two more matches left before the playoffs, Archie is poised for a strong finish to the regular season.   Northland Christian Trailblazers (20-4-3)   Led by [player_tooltip player_id='809806' first='Molly' last='Day'], who has tallied 217 kills, the Trailblazers are well-equipped for their upcoming district tournament. They also benefit from solid contributions from 2029 Hadyn Howie, 169 kills, and 2028 Mia Brown, 165 kills. With their collective talent, Northland Christian should advance smoothly through the district tournament.   Advance Hornets (15-13)   Although Advance's record might suggest weakness, they have been one of the best-performing teams in late October for a decade. Remarkably, they haven't failed to advance past the district round in a decade, and their last absence from the final four was in 2021. Key players [player_tooltip player_id='237006' first='Emma' last='Eilers'], Brogan Hawkins, and [player_tooltip player_id='230385' first='Kyndall' last='Hitt'] have all played in three straight state championship matches, bringing invaluable experience to the team.   Rock Port Blue Jays (23-5-3)   Rock Port is enjoying a stellar season, led by a talented 2028 class that includes Braylyn Wood, Raylynn Jenkins, Kinley Lair, Talyn Amthor, and Audrie Meyerkorth. Currently second in their district behind Mound City, Rock Port is vying for a strong finish as they prepare for districts. Rock Port and Mound City have met four times, with each winning twice, which should make for a dandy district championship.   Mound City Panthers (17-6-1)   The Panthers are set to finish the regular season with three more wins before the season commences. Having only lost to one Class 1 team all year—Rock Port, whom they've also beaten—Mound City is in a strong position. For a successful run to the final four, they will rely heavily on standout middle hitter Miranda Reiger to deliver big performances.

Defending champions Winona Wildcats are looking to reclaim their crown despite a challenging setback at the Jackson Tournament, while Bismarck Indians have been on a winning spree since their last loss. The Leopold Wildcats face tough opponents to close out their season, and the Ellington Whippets are inching closer to their first district title in decades. Each team brings its own strengths and standout players. Let's explore how each team is shaping up and what improvements they need to make on their journey to the final four!