Class 1 Player of the Year Watchlist

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the high school volleyball season approaches, the Class 1 Play of the Year Watchlist highlights some of the most promising talents. [player_tooltip player_id='836094' first='Melanie' last='Rice'] from Galena, whose exceptional career stats and leadership have propelled her team to unprecedented heights, including a historic final four appearance. [player_tooltip player_id='232323' first='Lexi' last='Lindsey'] of Winona stands out as the top setter in Class 1, poised to surpass 4000 career assists and build on her team's impressive achievements. [player_tooltip player_id='807849' first='Ashley' last='Hawkins'], who has revitalized the Bismarck program with her powerful play, and the dynamic duo from Winona, [player_tooltip player_id='827737' first='Sadie' last='Kile'] and [player_tooltip player_id='828367' first='Taylor' last='Williams'], both of whom have shown remarkable growth and skill on the court. Rounding out the watchlist is [player_tooltip player_id='485611' first='Ashtyn' last='Van De Ven'] from Leopold, a rising star setter whose potential has garnered attention from club teams across the region. This article takes a closer look at these athletes and their aspirations as they vie for recognition and success in the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836094' first='Melanie' last='Rice'] – Galena</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The four-year starter for the Bears has some significant numbers and helped Galena to the school's first final four as a sophomore—career numbers of 1084 kills, 127 blocks, 1047 digs, and 268 aces. The 5'7” slugger will look to guide her Bears to their fourth straight district title. With Melanie in the lineup, the Bears have gone 97-17-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232323' first='Lexi' last='Lindsey'] – Winona</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing that's impressive about Lexi is that&nbsp;she reclassified and moved up a year, starting high school early. With Lexi running the offense, Winona has a third-place finish and last year's championship to her name to go along with 3000 career assists. Lexi is the top setter in Class 1, and I expect her to eclipse 4000 career assists before the season ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807849' first='Ashley' last='Hawkins'] – Bismarck</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hawkins has been a beast from day one with the Indians and has helped resurrect the once proud program, and with Ashley in the lineup, they went from 13 wins to 31 wins and a&nbsp;district title last year. In her debut, Ashley will improve on her career numbers of 1106 kills and 1015 digs. Ashley will have to get through Winona if she wants to end in St. Joseph.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827737' first='Sadie' last='Kile'] – Winona</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'10” six-rotation middle did everything you would want your freshman year to be. A state title, led all Class 1 2028 players in kills with 547. Sadie is in a long line of dominant middles to walk the halls of Winona and is only a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828367' first='Taylor' last='Williams'] – Winona</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Wildcat on my list is Williams. Another six-rotation middle who went from 91 kills her freshman season, to 384 sophomore season, and 421 and a state title in her junior season. Taylor was impressive during the title match with 18 kills on .516 hitting with only two errors&nbsp;and looking to go out with three trips in four years to the final four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485611' first='Ashtyn' last='Van De Ven'] – Leopold</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashtyn has developed quickly into a top-notch setter who has Saint Louis clubs wanting her to make the two-hour drive north to play club. In her first two years, she has amassed 1664 assists and is arguably the best setter in Class 1 in terms of potential. She's looking to break the Hornet hex and get her Wildcats to a final four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->