Class 1 Quarterfinals Preview: The Battle for Final Four Spots

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 1: Gideon Bulldogs (32-3) vs. Bismarck Indians (36-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Gideon:</strong> Defeated Holcomb 25-7, 25-19, 25-13.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Bismarck:</strong> Came back to beat Leopold 23-25, 25-19, 25-21, 24-26, 16-14.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head to Head:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>No prior meetings.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gideon went 5-2, while Bismarck went 7-0 against common opponents including Advance, Bell City, and Bernie.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Bismarck:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809752' first='Loryn' last='Pierson'] (2028):</strong> 250 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='811547' first='Ayla' last='Hawkins'] (2028):</strong> 289 kills<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807849' first='Ashley' last='Hawkins'] (2026):</strong> 400 kills </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='795252' first='Karlee' last='Dickey'] (2028):</strong> 276 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Gideon:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='802062' first='Jalynn' last='Ford'] (2027):</strong> 393 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815709' first='Layla' last='Watkins'] (2028):</strong> 525 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Karlie Ashabranner (2028):</strong> 425 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Bismarck will have the best player on the court in [player_tooltip player_id='807849' first='Ashley' last='Hawkins']. Gideon's outside-hitting style may struggle against Bismarck's formidable middles. After facing a tough match to advance, Bismarck is on a mission to avenge last year's quarterfinal defeat and make their second appearance at the Final Four. I predict Bismarck wins in 4 sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 3: Billings Wildcats (25-10-4) vs. Liberal Bulldogs (17-8)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Billings:</strong> Defeated New Heights Christian Academy 23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Liberal:</strong> Beat Archie 25-27, 25-23, 25-27, 25-21, 15-11.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head to Head:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>No prior meetings.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Both teams faced Golden City, Greenfield, Jasper, and New Heights Christian.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Liberal:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='810735' first='Ally' last='Barton'] (2027):</strong> 267 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834169' first='Kerri' last='Borghardt'] (2026):</strong> 195 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='792455' first='Braylen' last='Frieden'] (2028):</strong> 325 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Billings:</strong> No stats reported.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Liberal's Cinderella season will likely come to an end as Billings appears stronger based on their recent performances. I predict Billings wins in 4 sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 4: Crest Ridge Cougars (21-11) vs. Northland Christian Trailblazers (24-5-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Crest Ridge:</strong> Defeated Osceola 25-18, 25-15, 25-23.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Northland Christian:</strong> Beat Rock Port 25-22, 27-25, 28-26.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head to Head:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>No prior meetings.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Crest Ridge went 2-2, while Northland went 3-0-1 against common opponents including Appleton City and Archie.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Crest Ridge:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='919907' first='Shelby' last='Stoff'] (2026):</strong> 311 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Kamryn Washelesky (2026):</strong> 292 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Willa Moyland (2028):</strong> 418 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Northland:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809806' first='Molly' last='Day'] (2026):</strong> 270 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Mia Brown (2028):</strong> 212 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Dray Bourn (2026):</strong> 206 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Northland Christian's height and blocking prowess will likely overwhelm Crest Ridge. I predict Northland wins in straight sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 2: Ellington Whippets (31-4-1) vs. Winona Wildcats (35-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ellington:</strong> Swept Calvary Lutheran 25-20, 25-14, 25-15.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Winona:</strong> Thumped School of the Ozarks 25-6, 25-12, 25-11.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head to Head:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Winona won their previous meeting 25-16, 25-14, 25-15.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players in Previous Meeting:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ellington:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732870' first='Megan' last='Copeland'] (2027):</strong> 13 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='796609' first='Madelyn' last='Cowin'] (2027):</strong> 8 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735566' first='Tayleigh' last='Cowin'] (2026):</strong> 20 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Winona:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232323' first='Lexi' last='Lindsey'] (2026):</strong> 35 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828367' first='Taylor' last='Williams'] (2026):</strong> 15 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834589' first='Lauren' last='Martin'] (2028):</strong> 10 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> The defending Class 1 champions are on their way back to the Final Four. Although Ellington has height on their side, Winona boasts the best hitters and setter in Class 1. I predict Winona sweeps the Whippets in 3 sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->