Class 2 Title Contenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2 has been dominated by the Hermann Bearcats since the 80s and last year was a complete rebuild, but they made it to the championship match, losing to Fair Grove. With several teams capable of winning it all, Class 2 will be more balanced this season than ever before. Here's a preview of my top 5 who will make runs at the state championship.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fair Grove Eagles 36-1-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending Class 2 champs return enough on both sides of the ball to be one of my top picks after knocking off PowerHouse Hermann in a 5-set thrill to win the first volleyball title for Fair Grove. These kids at Fair Grove have had significant success during their careers, and this year will be no different. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='349621' first='Brooke' last='Daniels']</strong> will be responsible for running the offense in her final year<strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='493046' first='Shea' last='Skouby'], Aston Bell, [player_tooltip player_id='737639' first='Abbey' last='Green']</strong>, and <strong>Greta Arnett</strong> will launch missiles at the opponents, while <strong>Emaley Stallings</strong> will most likely take over the libero position. Fair Grove will be on a mission to repeat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hermann Bearcats 21-19</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who plays for Hermann doesn't matter; the school is a powerhouse in Class 2 volleyball and will always be in the mix for a title. The team returns two of the top attackers from last year outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493045' first='Sydney' last='Schulte']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='702778' first='Ashlyn' last='Hughes']</strong>, who had a monster state tournament. Tough-as-nails libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493022' first='Kennedie' last='Witthaus']</strong> returns with her 942 career digs. The key will be the replacement of all state setters lost to graduation. When it comes to playoffs, toss out the records and expect the Bearcats to be in the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop LeBlond Eagles 33-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A third-place finish last year was a positive to a painful loss in the semifinals to Hermann in 5. All-State outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232218' first='Rilyn' last='Conard']</strong> returned for her junior year and was the team's kill leader with 396<strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='735227' first='Katie' last='Sego']</strong> will be a force in the middle for the Eagles and be used more offensively this season. The big ifs for the team will be the defense and setter. The need to replace both the setter and libero could put a hiccup in their plans for a return trip to Cape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>El Dorado Springs Bulldogs 28-8-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ELDO returns five from last year's quarterfinal team, which lost to eventual state champion Fair Grove. 2025 players [player_tooltip player_id='195382' first='Neely' last='Schaaf'], [player_tooltip player_id='493041' first='Alexis' last='Collins'], and [player_tooltip player_id='644730' first='Avery' last='Floyd'] come back after putting down 707 kills and 987 assists. [player_tooltip player_id='490215' first='McKinli' last='Mays'] will patrol the backcourt again and add to her career digs total of 866. ELDO must go through Fair Grove again to make the final four ELDO.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Licking Wildcats 30-6-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a weird ending to the season for Licking. They are on a mission this season. Making it back to the final four is their mission. They have a great coach and return five this year. All district team players from last year, <strong>Allie Hock, Zoey Dawson, Ralee Clayton, Josie Wells, Aubrey Gorman</strong> offensively, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='195385' first='Linzie' last='Wallace'], </strong>will run the offense this year. Toss in <strong>Jadyn Barnes</strong> in either middle or on the pins, and Licking is a legit contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->