Class 1 Preseason Rankings 6-10

With defending state champion Miller Cardinals looking for a repeat, several teams will stand in the way of the repeat. Class 1 was dominated last year by the 2022 class, and this year it will be dominated by the 2023 class. Here is a look at 6-10 of the preseason rankings for Class 1.   6. Santa Fe Chiefs 26-1   Santa Fe returned to the final four last year and lost 2-3 to Miller in the semifinals. They also lost a big-time hitter but returned five starters. A date with the Gremlins in September and a matchup with Class 2 Lawson starts the season and should gauge how good the Chiefs will be this year.   Key Returners:   [player_tooltip player_id='170031' first='Kameron' last='Dankenbring'] 221 kills and 236 digs   Atleigh Lark 199 digs   Cassie Aversman 815 assists   7. Drexel Bobcats 23-7-3   The Bobcats return the entire lineup from last year and should be a dangerous team out of the west. Having lost 2-3 to Archie in the district finals should be all the motivation this team needs. A 10/13 rematch with Archie right before districts has to be marked on the Drexel calendar.   Key Returners:   Emily Wheeler 402 kills and 435 digs   Gracie Marks 799 assists   Olivia Shipps 258 kills and 654 digs   8. St. Joseph Christian Lions 23-6   I see a trend in Class 1, and that's the fact each team is returning a lot of starters, and the Lions are returning everyone. A loss in the district finals 2-3 to Wellington Napolean has been smoldering for a year. Look for the Lions; come late October to be in the hunt for the state playoffs again.   Key Returners:   [player_tooltip player_id='124857' first='Danika' last='Wattenbarger'] 732 assists   Ella Bowman 321 kills and 84 blocks   Chloe Burnham187 kills and 215 digs   9. Advance Hornets 20-13-2   Never count out the Hornets because they are returning enough talent to be dangerous come playoffs. Losing the best setter in Class 1 last year will be hard to replace, but the Hornets return everyone else. They lost to eventual 2nd place finisher Gideon in the state playoffs.   Key Returners:   [player_tooltip player_id='168900' first='Alexis' last='Hoffman'] 351 kills and 88 blocks   [player_tooltip player_id='168907' first='Abby' last='Kennedy'] 240 kills and 156 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='170048' first='Addi' last='Carlton'] 275 digs   10. Meadow Heights Panthers 20-8   Meadow Heights has continued to get better over the last couple of years; last year was one of their best seasons. With two top four hitters back and the starting setter, the season has promised another good year. Lost to Advance in the district finals 1-3 and adding the Perryville Tournament should make the Panthers battle tested come playoffs.   Key Returners:   Ashley Allen 598 assists and 269 digs   Halli Bollinger 199 kills and 114 digs   Miranda Green 146 kills

With defending state champion Miller Cardinals looking for a repeat, several teams will stand in the way of the repeat. Class 1 was dominated last year by the 2022 class, and this year it will be dominated by the 2023 class. Here is a look at 6-10 of the preseason rankings for Class 1.