The area’s top Class B volleyball teams will once again be among the elite squads in the state this year.

As is usually the case, multiple powers reside in Region 1B. Warner, Northwestern, and Hitchcock-Tulare are all members of that region, meaning that at least one of those squads will once again not be able to make it to the state tournament this fall. All are rated among top five teams in the initial poll which came out this week.

Warner, which finished runner-up a season ago, figures to be right in the mix for a state championship. The Monarchs lost some quality players to graduation, including Class B Miss Volleyball Ava Nilsson. However, the squad returns its top hitter in 6-foot senior Kyleigh Schopp, and multiple players who have big-match experience. The Monarchs also toughen up against a demanding schedule full of Class A powers.

Northwestern should also be in line for a big season, after returning all of its lineup from a year ago. The Wildcats will be led by 6-foot junior all-stater Ashley Haven. Needless to say, she will have plenty of help as all of her teammates will be back on the court. Northwestern features a lineup with six girls listed at 5-foot-10 or taller.

Hitchcock-Tulare, which defeated Northwestern in the region last season, only to lose to Faulkton in the SoDak 16, also features a potent lineup this fall. The Patriots will be led by multi-time all-stater 6-foot senior Katelyn Schroeder. Hitchcock-Tulare has other key pieces returning to the lineup as well and will be motivated after coming up one match short of the state tourney a year ago.

Castlewood, Faulkton, and Wolsey-Wessington all competed in the State B tourney a year ago and have solid traditions in volleyball. Castlewood will be led by 6-foot senior Emerson Carter among others. While Faulkton and Wolsey-Wessington graduated key members from a year ago, both have plenty of players returning who should benefit from playing at the state tourney.

In Class A, Miller is rated fourth in the initial poll. The Rustlers return several key members from their fourth-place team from last year’s state tournament. Miller will be led by junior all-stater Jolie Palmer. The Rustlers feature experienced players at key positions.

Mobridge-Pollock, powered by senior all-stater Charley Henderson, and Groton, which returns many key members from its SoDak 16 squad from year ago, also figure to be in the hunt for state tournament berths this season.

This year’s combined state tournament takes place Nov. 21-23 in Sioux Falls.

(Note: Previews on Aberdeen Central, Aberdeen Roncalli, and Aberdeen Christian have already been published).