My Way to Early Top 5 for Class 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2 will be more open next year than it was this season. Gone is the group from Fair Grove and their undefeated championship run. Hermann returns enough to be in the mix once again, while LeBlond could be my favorite if they stay in Class 2. Miller and St. Vincent return enough to be title contenders next year. Mid Buch is my dark horse pick and if LeBlond moves up a class then Mid-Buch has a good chance at a final four trip.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop LeBlond Eagles 32-4-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm almost positive that the Eagles will be pushed up to Class 3 next season but will include them in Class 2 until the move is made. If they are in Class 2, they will be on top because they will be returning the top seven players on the team. 2026 players <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232218' first='Rilyn' last='Conard'], Ella Frazee</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735227' first='Katie' last='Sego']</strong> return as the team's top attackers, while 2028 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730103' first='Maya' last='Acosta']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='729553' first='Emily' last='Conz']</strong> will return to the middle and setter positions. If LeBlond is Class 2, they will be hard to beat, and if they move to Class 3, they will still be hard to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hermann Bearcats 20-17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another trip to the final four for Hermann proves they are always in the mix in late October and early November. Three of the top four attackers return: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='702778' first='Ashlyn' last='Hughes'], Jillian Fredrick,</strong> and <strong>Kealie Lane</strong>, who combined for 591 kills and tossed in <strong>Jaelee Kahler</strong>, the quarterback of the offense and Hermann has a core group of four 2026 players returning to push for another trip to the final four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miller Cardinals 29-7-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller was one win away from the final four but ran into the Class 2 champions, Fair Grove. Miller brings back the top three attackers, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490122' first='Rachel' last='Nunez'], [player_tooltip player_id='237008' first='Ashlynn' last='Helton']</strong>, and <strong>Loghann Leivan</strong>, and their 1117 kills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490143' first='Camden' last='Stockton']</strong> returns again to run the offense, carrying her 1969 career assists. Miller won't have to knock off the state's top team next year to make the final four, so their chances are high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Vincent 23-9-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Vincent won the 3^rd place match over Hermann this season and returns enough to be a title contender next year in Class 2. The kill leader, 2026, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='225325' first='Kate' last='Rubel']</strong>, and dig leader, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='225326' first='Brie' last='Rubel'],</strong> return with 366 kills and 477 digs, respectively. 2026 middle <strong>Alaina Cates</strong> and 2026 outside <strong>Clara Clifton</strong> return with a combined 373 kills. If [player_tooltip player_id='225325' first='Kate' last='Rubel'] slides into a middle hitter position, St. Vincent will be on the top team in Class 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mid – Buchanan 24-10-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dragons will return two of the top young hitters from the NW side of the state. 2028 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='698690' first='Tatum' last='Moss']</strong> and 2027 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485596' first='Camryn' last='Atha']</strong> are tough on the outside and carry with them 665 kills. 2027 middle <strong>Bailey Coman</strong> and Libero <strong>Myia Dillman</strong> will help round out a solid core. If LeBlond is moved to Class 3 MB, the path to a final four opens up for my dark horse pick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->