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South Dakota Class B

Volleyball State Tournament 2023

1. Warner (37-0)

Class B has been dominated by the defending champs from Warner. They have put together an impressive 37-0 mark with wins over Class A and Class AA powers as well as fierce Class B competition. They played the first part of the season without the reigning Class B player of the year, Ava Nilsson. Since she’s been back they’ve been even better. They are the heavy favorite to repeat as champions.

Leaders

Kills/Set:               Kyleigh Schopp 3.9, Lauren Marcuson 3.5,  Kyra Marcuson 3.3

Assists/Set:         Ava Nilsson 11.0, Reagan Wood 5.8

Digs/Set:              Courtney Bjorgaard 4.1, Lauren Marcuson 3.4

2. Chester (30-2)

If it wasn’t for Warner’s dominance we might be talking more about Chester and how they’ve been one of the best Class B teams in recent years. They played a brutal schedule and won all but two matches (Unity Christian, IA and Dakota Valley). Their trademark defense has kept them in every match. Addison Bates and Emilie Bleeker are elite blockers and no one gets to as many balls as Emery Larson. and their attacking has improved all season long. They have a team hitting percentage of .304 led by Jacy Wolf with 4 kills per set.

Leaders

Kills/Set:               Jacy Wolf 4.0, Lily Van Hal 2.4, Emmerson Eppard 2.4, Addison Bates 2.3

Assists/Set:         Lily Van Hal 8.2, Jacy Wolf 2.5

Digs/Set:              Emery Larson 4.7, Jacy Wolf 3.6, Lily Van Hal 2.8

 

3. Colman-Egan (28-5)

Colman-Egan hasn’t lost a Class B game since early October to Chester. Since then they’ve been playing the best of the season. They pulled out a five set thriller against Sioux Falls Lutheran in the Region 3 semis to earn a spot in the SoDak 16 where they won handily versus Alcester-Hudson.

Leaders

Kills/Set:               Daniela Lee 3.1. Amma Zwart 2.1, Elaina 2.0, Brynlee Landis 2.0

Assists/Set:         Lanie Mousel 5.1, Kaylee Voelker 5.1

Digs/Set:              Presley Luze 5.7, Daniela Lee 4.9

 

4. Burke (31-4)

Burke played a challenging schedule including recent games against Class A powers like Parkston and Wagner. They are ready for a tough tournament with four senior captains and a talented group of underclassmen. They’re led by Kailee Frank the junior outside hitter who has had a fantastic season. They also feature 6-1 Paige Bull in the middle who led the team with 90 blocks.

 

Leaders

Kills/Set:                               Kailee Frank 3.9, Emmie Hausmann 2.8, Paige Bull 2.4

Assists/Set:                         Ava Sargent 4.6, Bridget Eliason 3.4

Digs/Set:                              Elle Johnson 5.7, Kailee Frank 3.4

 

5. Wolsey-Wessington (29-4)

The last time the Warbirds faced off with Burke they won 3-1 in the state tournament third place game against the Cougars. They face them again on Thursday. They’ll be ready coming into the tournament off a 3-0 sweep in the SoDak 16 against Kadoka Area.

Leaders                                

Kills/Set:                               Kailynn Dorris 4.2, Samara Clemente 2.8, Tatum Luce 2.6

Assists/Set:                         Payton Kemnitz 6.3, Kendal Uttecht 5.8

Digs/Set:                              Shae Uttecht 6.6, Lainey Uttecht 5.3

 

6. Castlewood (21-8)

The Warriors face a familiar opponent in Colman-Egan. They’ve faced them 7 times in the past two seasons. Castlewood has come out on the winning side just twice (Both last season) but has the fuel to get it done. They have a particularly good defense with everyone able to cover the floor and Emerson Carter in the middle leading the team in blocks (80).

Leaders

Kills:                                       Presley Knecht 5.2, Emerson Carter 2.8, Cassidy Kirwan 1.9

Assists:                                 Gracie Haug 9.4

Digs:                                      Grace Haug 3.7, Presley Knecht 3.5

 

7. Faulkton Area (24-9)

The Trojans run an effective 5-2 with two talented senior setters. Micah Matinmaas and Tegan Baloun have worked well together all season. They will have their hands full with a tough matchup against Chester though. If they are to pull it off they’ll need to play with limited mistakes. Kelli Stoecker has been an efficient attacker from the middle and Carley Cotton and Addison Melius have added power on the outside.

Leaders

Kills/Set:                               Addison Melius 3.6, Carley Cotton 3.6, Kelli Stoecker 2.3

Assists/Set:                         Micah Martinmaas 4.5, Tegan Baloun 4.4

Digs/Set:                              Carley Cotton 5.5, Addison Melius 4.8, Anna Aesoph 4.1

 

8. Gayville-Volin

The Raiders went through a rough patch in the middle of October but put together a strong run when it counted. They won their three postseason games by a combined 9-1 sets. Now they face one of the best teams in the state regardless of class. They’ll ride their talented freshman class to give them a fight. Their top four attackers are either freshman or 8^th graders. They use a skilled senior setter in Keeley Larson and a junior Britton Scheetz to bring it all together.

Leaders

Kills/Set:                               Maia Achen 4.7, Aliza Westrum 1.8, Paisley Dimmer 1.4

Assists/Set:                         Keeley Larson 8.2, Britton Scheetz 5.0

Digs/Set:                              Taylor Hozeng 6.4, Maia Achen 3.7, Ayla Dimmer 3.3