I like all of those except Summersville (outside of my coverage/viewing/media area) and New Haven, with whom I'm unfamiliar. After watching them play in the state title last year, I cannot see any of those teams knocking off Winona. Sure, the same thing was probably said of Valle Catholic last season before Winona ended their perfect season in the first round of sectionals, but after watching the dominating duo of Rachel Holthaus and Nola McAfee, I just cannot see any Class 1 teams strong enough this year to contend with them.
Advance is going to have a major rebuilding year this year. They will be about average, but nowhere near as phenomenal as they were last season as they lost four starters, including their star hitters Liza Gray and Aimie Simmers. Their best player this year will be their senior setter Allie Below.
Bernie is in the same boat as Advance except that they have two strong senior hitters this year in Tori Lowrey and Jordan Ellenburg to compensate for the losses due to graduation. They also have an up-and-coming new freshman setter in Morgan Baker, who is the younger sister of last season's senior setter Katie Baker. The Lady Mules have another major advantage in that they have Erin Hoffman as their coach. Hoffman's record speaks for itself: she has racked up 10 consecutive district titles (one this past season at Bernie, one at Scott City the year before, and eight at Bell City from the 2003-2004 season to the 2010-2011 season, and two titles during the 2000 and 2001 seasons at Meadow Heights) and has made five appearances at the state tournament in the past 10 years. Bernie will be the team to beat from the Southeast area in Class 1.
In what was supposed to be Leopold's year, the Lady Wildcats are left in the woods as senior outside standout Denai Arnzen has an ACL injury and is unsure if/when she will return to the team. Leopold still has their star player in junior middle blocker/setter Caitlin Petty. That notwithstanding, one should never discount the Leopold volleyball team, a proud program that has won 23 district titles, more than any other school in Southeast Missouri. I reckon they are eager to hit the court and avenge a district loss to St. Vincent of Perryville. Last season was the end of the Leopold-dominated district streak, as the Wildcats had won 10 consecutive district titles up until then when they were defeated by St. Vincent 25-22, 25-19 in a Class 1 District 4 semifinal.
Bismarck and Lesterville are similar in that they both return two big senior middle hitters. Definitely ready for the season to start!
