Class 1 Top Contenders: Teams to Watch This Fall

Class 1 in Missouri may be the smallest classification, often featuring schools with fewer than 100 students, but don't let their size fool you. Year after year, these teams showcase remarkable talent, consistently competing against larger schools with enrollments three to five times their own. Their impressive records and significant victories highlight their capability and resilience. As we look ahead to the upcoming fall season, here's an in-depth look at some of the top contenders poised to make a run for the state title, showcasing the exceptional athletes and strategies that make Class 1 a force to be reckoned with.   Leopold Wildcats 27-8-2   The Wildcats have two of the best players in Class 1: 5'11” outside hitter 2027 Rylie Schreiner, with 672 kills on a .280 hitting clip, and both have committed to play D1. They also return another top 2027 player, setter Ashtyn Van De Ven, who finished with 982 assists. They also return 2027 libero Malia VanderMierden, who led the team with 509 digs. Leopold also returns three 2028 players who contributed 133 kills and 141 digs last year. These three will be pivotal to the Wildcats if they want to push for another district title. The addition of 2030 Peyton Van De Ven will be a tremendous boost on defense, as she had a great club season with Pursuit. Leopold has beefed up their schedule to prepare for a run in late October with games against Winona, Saxony, Ellington, Bell City, and Advance. One match that stands out the most is a rematch with defending state champions Bismarck. They battled in the state sectional round last season and lost in the 5th set 14-16. Leopold will have one key piece to replace: 342 kills and 341 digs from All-State Piper Lincoln, who graduated. If they can find a suitable replacement or a replacement by committee, the Wildcats will be one of Class 1's top returning teams.   Gideon Bulldogs 32-4   Gideon also fell to Class 1 winner Bismarck in a quarterfinal sweep. The good news for Gideon Nation is that they return the top three kill leaders, the top three blockers, and their libero, Jalynn Ford. They return 1298 kills, 44 blocks, and over 700 digs, giving them a solid core. 2028 players Layla Watkins and Karli Ashabranner do most of the damage, returning with 979 kills between the two of them and Jalynn Ford's 421 digs; the Bulldogs are setting nicely for another postseason run. One player who could make a huge impact is 2030 player Mattie Ashabranner. I would have liked to see the Bulldogs schedule a few more higher-level Class 1 teams, but dates with Advance, Bernie, and Bell City will help us better gauge how good this Gideon team could be. The team must replace the leading setter, who had 1091 assists.   Winona Wildcats 37-5   Winona lost in the state title match in 5, but the powerhouse program returns enough talent to make another serious push for the final four. First, they will need to replace over 1445 career kills and 4246 career assists; both players lost were 4-year starters. Returning is one of the better 2028 players, Sadie Kile, with over 1068 career kills, who will move to the outside position. 2028 Lauren Martin will move from the outside hitter position to the libero position, strengthening the defense, and Bristol Lay, 2028, will step in at setter. The key will be whether the unproven younger players step up and provide kills and digs. Winona always plays a stacked schedule of larger schools, but the key games I'm looking for will be against Class 1 schools, including Ellington, which Winona beat in the quarterfinals to reach the final four, and a 10/16 date with Leopold. Winona will once again be an upper-class 1 team to watch.   Ellington Whippets 31-5-1   The Whippets ventured where no Whippet team had before last year by reaching the Class 1 quarterfinals, where they lost to runner-up Winona. This season could be the year of the Whippets as they return 1131 kills and 1015 digs but must replace a setter who graduated with over 2400 assists. Leading the returning offense will be 2027s Megan Copeland with 398 kills and Lilyanah Tisdale with 251 kills, 2028 Bella Pogue with 298 kills, and 2027 libero Madelyn Cowin with 312 digs. Two players I see as key to getting Ellington back to the playoffs are 2027 middle Nova O'Dell and Carlita Foster, who will have to step up even more offensively this season. Ellington starts the season with a bang, taking on Bismarck in game 2, Winona in game 4, and then Leopold at the end of September. Ellington is a serious contender for its first trip to the final four in program history, but it will likely have to get through Winona again if the state doesn't change up the path to state from last year.   Rock Port Blue Jays 28-6-3   Leaving the Southeastern part of the state and moving northwest, we look at Rock Port. Rock Port lost to Northland Christian in the Sectional round last season by a total of seven points but the bright spot is Rock Port has a ton of youth and experience returning, headlined by a quartet of 2028 players in hitters Braylyn Wood, Kinley Lair, Talyn Amthor, and Audrie Meyerkorth, toss in 2029 Stevie Gaines and Presley Carlson; it's hard to overlook the possibilities here. Rock Port will take part in the Hy-Vee Area Tournament and the Pony Express Invitational, where they will play larger schools, which should benefit them more toward the end of October. Also, on 9/29, Rock Port will play Mound City, whom they beat 3-2 and defeated in the district championship.   Honorable Mention:   Advance Hornets 21-14   Mound City Panthers 20-8-1   Archie Whirlwinds 25-5-1   Liberal Bulldogs 18-10   Lockwood Tigers 20-13-2   Billings Lady Wildcats 25-11-4

Class 1 in Missouri may be the smallest classification, often featuring schools with fewer than 100 students, but don't let their size fool you. Year after year, these teams showcase remarkable talent, consistently competing against larger schools with enrollments three to five times their own. Their impressive records and significant victories highlight their capability and resilience. As we look ahead to the upcoming fall season, here's an in-depth look at some of the top contenders poised to make a run for the state title, showcasing the exceptional athletes and strategies that make Class 1 a force to be reckoned with.

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Class 1 Top Contenders: Teams to Watch This Fall

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