A group of regional volleyball teams will be looking to add to their impressive resumes once again this season.
At last year’s State B tourney, two teams from Region 1B advanced to the semifinal round where they played each other as Warner defeated Hitchcock-Tulare. Warner ended up falling in the title match to Chester Area, and the Monarchs are off to a stellar start already this season.
Warner features a balanced attack and has already racked up five wins without dropping a set in the first week of the season.
Look for Northwestern to be right in the hunt for a potential state championship. The Wildcats return all-state player Ashley Haven, and then had all-state performer Lila Johnson transfer in this season from Hitchcock-Tulare.
Wolsey-Wessington, which has been among the top B teams in recent years, should be formidable again with the likes of all-state player Kendal Uttecht powering the Warbirds.
Ipswich will feature an athletic squad led by all-stater Marley Guthmiller, and Herreid-Selby Area always has a potent lineup.
Look for Miller to remain a force in Class A again this year. The Rustlers, who entered last year’s state tournament as the top-seeded team, have a deep roster led by multi all-state selection Jolie Palmer.
Hamlin, which has built a solid tradition in both volleyball and girls’ basketball, will rely on all-stater Addison Neuendorf to lead the way this fall.
All-state selection Abby Kjenstad is back for her final season at Great Plains Lutheran, but is coming off a knee injury from basketball.
Elsewhere in Class A, keep an eye on Groton. The Tigers, who were runner-up in soccer last season, will once again feature a talented group of multi-sport athletes on their volleyball roster and will be a dangerous foe for anyone this season.
(Note: previews on Aberdeen Central, Aberdeen Roncalli, and Aberdeen Christian were already published).
