I know it's a little early with summer vacation just starting, but it's never too soon to start speculating
so let's generate a lively discussion.
What are some of your preseason favorites in your area of the state?
In Southeast Missouri in Class 1, I would say Valle Catholic is the top team to beat, just for the mere fact that they have made it to the state tournament the past two seasons. I do believe they lost a
lot of seniors but had several juniors, too. Lesterville was
Valle Catholic's only competition in District 4, but without standout Taylor Cook on the floor, I figure this will be a rebuilding year for the Bearcats, but they have a good program so we may need to keep an eye on them, and possibly Bismarck could make some noise. I think they've been down ever since losing their star player Brooke Taylor, but we'll see.
Also in Class 1, I think Bernie will be the team that advances to state this year. Not only are they inheriting one of the region's best coaches in Erin Hoffman, but they lost no seniors to graduation so their entire starting lineup will be on the court and that should bode well for the Mules. Bell City I think is in the same ballpark as Lesterville, in which you have a situation where a star player (Jasmine Johnson) was lost but the program is good. Advance may be the team that surprises us this year, though. They have a very talented senior class this season led by their standout outside hitter Liza Gray and only lost two seniors to graduation who weren't starters. Advance is building a solid volleyball program and has some talented younger players moving up from the junior varsity, and I believe their 8th grade team went undefeated this past year. The Hornets could cause quite the buzz.
As always, one must never discount perennial powerhouse Leopold when it comes to the discussion of high school volleyball. The Lady Wildcats have dominated their district for the past nine seasons and should be smooth sailing for a 10th this season. Leopold is also a very young team this season, losing not many starters, I think. They will be returning their standout Caitlin Petty, a sophomore who raised several eyebrows last season as a freshman starter. Leopold's only threat in this conference may come from Meadow Heights, but the Panthers lost some key talent from middle standouts Erin Bollmann and Whitney Welker, both of whom signed with Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff to play basketball. No other competition seems to pose a threat to Leopold.
In Class 2, I do believe we will see a drastic shake up. Two of the region's top Class 2 contenders, Scott City and Bloomfield, are losing all their starters from last season. Bloomfield has the best chance to advance since they are in a relatively weak district based in the Bootheel, and Scott City has a tougher district that could be won by St. Vincent or possibly even Clearwater. Given these circumstances, I cannot foresee any Class 2 team from Southeast Missouri knocking off St. Pius X of Festus, the defending state champions who will return their all-state sensation Amelia Held.
In Class 3, my money is on Perryville. It'll be a classic battle again between the Pirates and Notre Dame, but Perryville is strong and they will be returning their standout Natalie Gremaud. Dexter could make some noise in this class, but the Lady Pirates are the prohibitive favorite.
In Class 4, I think this district will still be won by Farmington, led by their standout Rachel Williams. The Knightettes made quick work of Poplar Bluff in the district game last season. The Mules generally tend to be a powerhouse in Southeast Missouri. Jackson could be strong this season. They are rebuilding their program that has struggled the past decade, and the Lady Indians' 8th grade squad went 16-0 this past junior high season. Still, I'm placing my money on Farmington, but we shall see.
so let's generate a lively discussion. What are some of your preseason favorites in your area of the state?
In Southeast Missouri in Class 1, I would say Valle Catholic is the top team to beat, just for the mere fact that they have made it to the state tournament the past two seasons. I do believe they lost a
lot of seniors but had several juniors, too. Lesterville was
Valle Catholic's only competition in District 4, but without standout Taylor Cook on the floor, I figure this will be a rebuilding year for the Bearcats, but they have a good program so we may need to keep an eye on them, and possibly Bismarck could make some noise. I think they've been down ever since losing their star player Brooke Taylor, but we'll see.
Also in Class 1, I think Bernie will be the team that advances to state this year. Not only are they inheriting one of the region's best coaches in Erin Hoffman, but they lost no seniors to graduation so their entire starting lineup will be on the court and that should bode well for the Mules. Bell City I think is in the same ballpark as Lesterville, in which you have a situation where a star player (Jasmine Johnson) was lost but the program is good. Advance may be the team that surprises us this year, though. They have a very talented senior class this season led by their standout outside hitter Liza Gray and only lost two seniors to graduation who weren't starters. Advance is building a solid volleyball program and has some talented younger players moving up from the junior varsity, and I believe their 8th grade team went undefeated this past year. The Hornets could cause quite the buzz.
As always, one must never discount perennial powerhouse Leopold when it comes to the discussion of high school volleyball. The Lady Wildcats have dominated their district for the past nine seasons and should be smooth sailing for a 10th this season. Leopold is also a very young team this season, losing not many starters, I think. They will be returning their standout Caitlin Petty, a sophomore who raised several eyebrows last season as a freshman starter. Leopold's only threat in this conference may come from Meadow Heights, but the Panthers lost some key talent from middle standouts Erin Bollmann and Whitney Welker, both of whom signed with Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff to play basketball. No other competition seems to pose a threat to Leopold.
In Class 2, I do believe we will see a drastic shake up. Two of the region's top Class 2 contenders, Scott City and Bloomfield, are losing all their starters from last season. Bloomfield has the best chance to advance since they are in a relatively weak district based in the Bootheel, and Scott City has a tougher district that could be won by St. Vincent or possibly even Clearwater. Given these circumstances, I cannot foresee any Class 2 team from Southeast Missouri knocking off St. Pius X of Festus, the defending state champions who will return their all-state sensation Amelia Held.
In Class 3, my money is on Perryville. It'll be a classic battle again between the Pirates and Notre Dame, but Perryville is strong and they will be returning their standout Natalie Gremaud. Dexter could make some noise in this class, but the Lady Pirates are the prohibitive favorite.
In Class 4, I think this district will still be won by Farmington, led by their standout Rachel Williams. The Knightettes made quick work of Poplar Bluff in the district game last season. The Mules generally tend to be a powerhouse in Southeast Missouri. Jackson could be strong this season. They are rebuilding their program that has struggled the past decade, and the Lady Indians' 8th grade squad went 16-0 this past junior high season. Still, I'm placing my money on Farmington, but we shall see.
