Class 1: Five Teams to Watch and Key Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that the regular season has reached its midpoint, it's time to look at five Class 1 teams with a legitimate chance to make the trip to St. Joseph for the Final Four: <strong>Valle Catholic, Gideon, Winona, Lockwood, and Rock Port.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valle Catholic Warriors — 10-3-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since returning to its original enrollment classification, Valle Catholic has immediately established itself as a Class 1 contender. The Warriors' losses have come against Festus, 3-1; Advance, 2-0; and Hillsboro, 2-1. However, Valle owns a significant five-set victory over previously unbeaten Saxony Lutheran: 25-19, 18-25, 25-19, 20-25, 15-12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2027 class has led the way offensively. <strong>Ada Bley, Lexie Rayoum, Mara Hoog, Addison Weibrecht, Paige Gielow</strong>, and <strong>Joslyn Naeger</strong> combined for 54 of the team's 58 kills, while <strong>Hayden Vaeth </strong>led the Warriors with 24 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valle is senior-laden, plays one of the toughest Class 1 schedules, and still has matches against Bismarck, Hannibal, Potosi, and Perryville. If the Warriors keep improving, they could be a tough out in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gideon Bulldogs — 13-1-1</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gideon has suffered only one loss, coming against Class 5 Parkway South, and tied Bell City at the Dig for Life Tournament in Cape Girardeau.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs' schedule will get tougher, with matches against Advance, Bell City, and Campbell still ahead. Gideon will also host its own invitational.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore <strong>Livi Watkins</strong> is directing the offense with 277 assists, while 2027 graduate <strong>Jalynn Ford</strong> leads the team with 197 digs. The trio of 2028 players <strong>Karli Ashabranner</strong> and <strong>Layla Watkins</strong>, along with 2030 standout <strong>Mattie Ashabranner</strong>, has produced 319 of the team's 358 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gideon should be one of the top seeds in its district when postseason play begins in late October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Winona Wildcats — 15-3-2</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winona is doing what Winona does: winning. The Wildcats recently endured a three-match losing streak, falling to undefeated Potosi, 3-0; Logan-Rogersville, 3-1; and Blair Oaks, 3-2. They also suffered a 2-0 loss to Saxony Lutheran during the Dig for Life Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, there is no reason to feel sorry for Winona. The Wildcats have lost only one set to a Class 1 opponent this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winona still has major tests ahead against one-loss West Plains, Lesterville, Licking, and Leopold, along with the loaded Jackson Tournament. The Wildcats could add a few more losses, but they should be battle-tested by the time the playoffs arrive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero <strong>Payton Rodgers</strong> leads the team in digs, while setter <strong>Bristol Lay</strong> continues to direct the offense. Winona is poised for another Final Four run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rock Port Blue Jays — 13-2</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rock Port is off to another strong start and has continued to win since opening the season 3-2, with losses to Fatima and Saxony during the Pony Express Invitational.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Jays earned a major district-seeding victory over Mound City, winning 25-21, 25-17, 17-25, 17-25, 16-14. In the match, 2029 standout <strong>Leah Meyerkorth</strong> recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 22 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rock Port's schedule becomes significantly tougher next week at the Hy-Vee Arena Tournament, where the Blue Jays will face Class 5 Truman, Class 4 Chillicothe, and one-loss Class 2 Stover in pool play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rematch with Mound City on the 29th, followed by the Bishop LeBlond Tournament, should strongly indicate how good this Rock Port team can be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lockwood Tigers — 10-1</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lockwood has been one of the hottest teams in Class 1. The Tigers won their first 10 matches by sweep before falling to Ash Grove, 3-1. Ash Grove has lost only once this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lockwood will travel to Strafford this weekend for a challenging tournament. Pool play will include matches against two-loss Class 1 opponent Osceola, host Strafford, and one-loss Class 5 team Glendale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero <strong>Peyton Lasater</strong> is averaging five digs per set and recently surpassed 1,000 career digs. Setter<strong> Gracyn</strong> <strong>Clawson</strong>, a member of the 2027 class, passed 1,000 career assists earlier this season and now has 1,222.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Lockwood performs well at the Strafford Tournament, the Tigers should remain firmly in contention for a Final Four appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->