Class 1 Volleyball: Top Teams to Watch for 2026 State Title

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 1 is set to return a wealth of talent, making next season an exciting prospect for volleyball fans. From the southeast to the northwest, here are my top five teams poised to compete for the state title in the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leopold Wildcats (27-8-2)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Leopold narrowly lost to eventual champions Bismarck in a thrilling sectional playoff match, 14-16 in the fifth set.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>They will return the best setter in the SEMO area, [player_tooltip player_id='485611' first='Ashtyn' last='Van De Ven'], along with one of the top attackers in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='485590' first='Rylie' last='Schreiner'], who led the state with 672 kills.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>While they need to replace the second-kill leader and a defender, they return six players who saw significant action. Leopold is a strong favorite to win the state title next year.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Bismarck Indians (39-3)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The state champions will lose their top attacker, setter, and a six-rotation pin hitter, but they have enough returning talent and depth to remain contenders.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='811547' first='Ayla' last='Hawkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='809752' first='Loryn' last='Pierson'] return in the middle, contributing 687 kills and 96 blocks.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='795252' first='Karlee' last='Dickey'] could step up to fill one of the lost pin hitter roles or take on the setter position in a 5-1 offense. With their talent, Bismarck has a solid chance for a back-to-back Final Four appearance.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ellington Whippets (31-5-1)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ellington has been building momentum over the last few seasons and is poised to make a significant impact.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>After losing to Winona in the quarterfinals (3-0), they will be looking for revenge next year.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Whippets return six players and a total of 1,131 of the team's 1,193 kills. The key challenge will be replacing the school's all-time best setter. Key returning players include [player_tooltip player_id='828319' first='Megan' last='Copeland'], [player_tooltip player_id='830286' first='Bella' last='Pogue'], and Lilyanah Tisdale. A sectional rematch against Winona is likely.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Gideon Bulldogs (32-4)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bismarck swept Gideon in the quarterfinals but returns nearly their entire roster, missing only one key player—the team's setter.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Top hitters [player_tooltip player_id='815709' first='Layla' last='Watkins'] and Karlie Ashabranner, along with libero Jaylynn Ford, are set to return.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>If they can find a solid setter replacement, Gideon is positioned to improve next season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Rock Port Blue Jays (28-6-3)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Blue Jays feature a talented roster of 2028 players, including Braylyn Wood, Kinley Lair, and Talyn Amthor, along with setters Stevie Gaines (2029) and Raylynn Jenkins (2028).</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>With only one player graduating, they will return over 900 kills, 1,500 digs, and 995 assists. This could be their year to make a Final Four trip after losing in the sectionals to the 3rd-place finisher, Northland Christian.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->