Class 2 Sectional Preview: A Wide-Open Race for the Title

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For decades, Hermann set the standard in Class 2. With the Bearcats out of the field and only one team from last year's Final Four still standing, the path to a new champion is wide open. Here's a look at the sectional matchups, key players, and predictions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Portageville (18-16-1) <strong>vs. <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Woodland (21-7-2)</mark></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Portageville swept Caruthersville and New Madrid County Central before edging top-seeded Malden 3-2 to return to the sectional round. Woodland had a smoother district run, sweeping Bloomfield and Scott City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> Portageville went 2-8; Woodland went 8-2. <strong>Head-to-head:</strong> No previous meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Woodland's 2030, Keira Melendy, leads with 315 kills. Portageville's leader is 2027 setter <strong>Lexi Priggel</strong>, who has 903 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Woodland has a more balanced offense and more upperclassmen leadership. The Cardinals win in straight sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Arcadia Valley (17-14-4)</mark> vs.</strong> Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience (16-13)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arcadia Valley beat Kingston 3-0 and Jefferson 3-1 to win its district title. Collegiate edged Bishop Dubourg 3-2 before sweeping Hancock in the district final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> None. <strong>Head-to-head:</strong> No previous meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Arcadia Valley's 2030 graduate <strong>Hayden Adams</strong> has been a key contributor all season and leads the team with 309 kills. 2028 middle hitter <strong>Kaydee Tardey</strong> leads the collegiate team with 185 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Passing and defense could decide this matchup, and Arcadia Valley has the edge in both. The Tigers sweep the Owls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brentwood (20-3-3) <strong>vs. <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Linn (24-5-1)</mark></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brentwood swept Valley Park, then beat Whitfield and Metro 3-1 to win its district. Linn swept Montgomery County and beat Fatima 3-1 to claim the school's first-ever district title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> None. <strong>Head-to-head:</strong> No previous meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Linn's <strong>Kylie Goans</strong> leads the team with 321 digs and 282 kills. Brentwood's key player is outside hitter <strong>Olive Curdt</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Brentwood has shown some defensive and passing vulnerabilities, while Linn has been stronger defensively. Linn wins in straight sets to keep its dream season alive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Licking (23-10-5) <strong>vs. <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Liberty (Mountain View) (19-10-4)</mark></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Licking swept Belle and Steelville in district play. Liberty swept Gainesville before edging Cabool 3-2, winning the fifth set 15-12. Liberty won the teams' earlier meeting, 25-15, 25-15, 23-25, 25-20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> Licking went 4-5; Liberty went 7-1-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Six Liberty players combined for 41 kills in the earlier meeting, led by <strong>Jayli Tharp</strong> with 10. <strong>Penelope Huff</strong>, a 2029, led Licking with 16 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Liberty's more experienced front row will create problems for Licking again. Liberty wins 3-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Springfield Catholic (16-14-3) <strong>vs. <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">New Covenant Academy (31-1-1)</mark></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Springfield Catholic beat Fordland 3-1, then swept Conway to win its district. New Covenant Academy also swept the district, beating Pierce City and Blue Eye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> Springfield Catholic went 4-3; New Covenant went 7-0. <strong>Head-to-head:</strong> No previous meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> New Covenant libero Jenna Jackson has reached 1,000 career digs. Springfield Catholic's 2030 pin hitter, Molly Strecker, has 270 kills and 222 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> New Covenant has been my Class 2 favorite all season. The Eagles beat the Fighting Irish in straight sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Miller (22-11-2)</mark> vs.</strong> Cole Camp (29-5-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller swept Diamond and Stockton to win its district. Cole Camp also swept, beating Tipton and Warsaw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> None. <strong>Head-to-head:</strong> No previous meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Cole Camp's 6-foot middle hitter, <strong>Andrea Dieckman</strong>, leads the team with 420 kills. Miller is paced by 2028 <strong>Layni Johnson</strong>, who leads the team with 371 digs and 335 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Miller has made several Final Four appearances over the past decade, while Cole Camp has struggled to advance beyond this stage. Miller's defensive strength makes the difference in a five-set win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Adrian (25-8-2</mark>) vs.</strong> Lafayette County (24-9-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adrian swept Barstow and Butler to repeat as district champions. Lafayette County swept Lexington and Carrollton. Adrian won the teams' early-season tournament meeting in St. Joseph, 25-20 and 25-14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> Adrian went 7-2; Lafayette County went 3-5-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Adrian's <strong>Daisey Fenton</strong> led her team with 11 kills in the earlier meeting. Lafayette County's <strong>Chloe Tyler</strong> had six. Adrian will also look to <strong>Grace Engeman</strong>, a consistent double-double threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Adrian has the advantage and sweeps the Huskers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Mid-Buchanan (37-1)</mark> vs.</strong> Bishop LeBlond (21-12-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mid-Buchanan swept Plattsburg and East Buchanan in district play. Bishop LeBlond also swept its district, beating Trenton and St. Joseph Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> Mid-Buchanan went 9-0; LeBlond went 6-2-1. <strong>Head-to-head:</strong> No previous meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Mid-Buchanan's 2027 graduate <strong>Myia Dillman</strong> has led the Dragons' impressive season with 929 assists. 2028 graduate <strong>Blakeli Swope</strong> powers LeBlond with 259 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> After coming up short in districts in recent years, Mid-Buchanan has reached sectionals with a deep group of offensive weapons. The Dragons keep rolling and sweep LeBlond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->