<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The best part of the year is right around the corner, and less than a month away from opening weekend. Class 1 had Advance repeat as champions, and South Iron made a return and finished 2<sup>nd</sup>. Newcomers Northwest and Galena finished 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th,</sup> respectively. Over the first week, we will highlight some of the top returning players. With further ado, here are the top five returning Class 1 kill leaders for 2027.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485575' first='Emily' last='Lyon'] – 5'7” – Middle – Eminence</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The top returning attacker for the Class 1 2027 class might be undersized, but she does the job for the Redwings. With the entire team returning to Eminence, Emily can lead her team into the playoffs and better her team-leading 233 kills.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485590' first='Rylie' last='Schreiner'] - 5'10” – Outside -Leopold</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Rylie finished 3<sup>rd</sup> in Class 1 for 2027 hitters with 215 kills. With her improvement over the club season, she should have Leopold back in the talks of a state playoff berth. She is a solid all-around player on the left pin with the power and ability to be a terminator.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485602' first='Reagan' last='Tenholder'] – 5'10” – Middle – Archie</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The southpaw middle for the Whirlwinds finished last season with 177 kills and 53 blocks. Reagan is tall, nice vertical, and has a solid swing. With more experience and reps, she will again be one of the top attackers for the 2027 class in the small school division.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475335' first='Olivia' last='Kennedy'] – 5'10” – Middle – Advance</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Olivia was part of the Class 1 state title team for the Hornets and returned to another stacked team. This year, we should see what she is made of, stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight. She has all the potential to be another great from Advance after finishing last season with 148 kills and 64 blocks.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Mollie Mannon – 5'10” – Middle – Bell City</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Over the last couple of years, Bell City has turned the program into one of the top SEMO Class 1 teams. Mollie finished 4<sup>th</sup> on a senior-laden team with 124 kills and 2<sup>nd</sup> in blocks with 49. Keep an eye out for her numbers to skyrocket, being the only returning starter for the Cubs.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
The best part of the year is right around the corner, and less than a month away from opening weekend. Class 1 had Advance repeat as champions, and South Iron made a return and finished 2nd. Newcomers Northwest and Galena finished 3rd and 4th, respectively. Over the first week, we will highlight some of the top returning players. With further ado, here are the top five returning Class 1 kill leaders for 2027.
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in