Section 1 Dominates High School Volleyball Rankings

Section 1 has been loaded with volleyball talent for a number of years, and that has not changed one bit. Section 1 remains a big force across the state, and the latest state rankings show just that.

Class A
1. Kenyon-Wanamingo - Section 1
2. Minneota
3. Mayer Lutheran
4. Medford - Section 1
5. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown
6. Mabel-Canton - Section 1
7. Caledonia - Section 1
8. Carlton
9. Ada-Borup West
​10. Henning

Four teams in Section 1, two from the west subsection and two from the east subsection, crack the Top-10 with two of squads coming in the Top-5. Kenyon-Wanamingo was the top-seed in the Section 2AA tournament a year ago, and fell in the section final, before moving to Section 1A in 2019. The Knights are the early favorite to come out of Section 1A but have a tough crew to battle with throughout the year.

Medford was the Class A runner-up in 2018, who took down Mabel-Canton in the Section 1A final last season. Those two teams are separated by just one spot on the rankings. Caledonia has been a tough force in Class A for several years and will look to spoil the fortunes of those ranked above them.

The Class A Section tournament will be one of the best in the state, with other talented teams that could make pushes every night. Expect late-October to be very fun for this class.

 Class AA
1. Stewartville (13) - Section 1
2. North Branch (1)
3. Marshall
4. Concordia
5. Kasson-Mantorville - Section 1
6. Belle Plaine
7. Southwest Christian
8. Pequot Lakes
9. Sauk Centre
​10. New London-Spicer

Look familiar? Stewartville, a perennial powerhouse when it comes to making State Tournaments in volleyball, again finds themselves at the top of the rankings. Stewartville, who hasn't been to state since 2015 when they finished 3rd, will have their eyes on the prize in 2019. Kasson-Mantorville is the reigning Section 1AA champion for the past 3 years and will look to upend Stewartville again. The west-side of Section 1AA has dominated for numerous years, but the east-side will look to make some noise with Lake City, among others, look to make a push.

Class AAA
1. Eagan (13)
2. Lakeville South - Section 1
3. Wayzata
4. Lakeville North - Section 1
5. East Ridge
6. Champlin Park
7. Northfield - Section 1
8. Moorhead
9. STMA
​10. Hopkins

Lakeville South and Lakeville North seem to meet in the Class AAA Section 1 final every year, even if they don't. Look for them to continue on that stretch as both schools have cracked the top five, while Northfield looks to make some noise as well. Class AAA even proves to be a talent-filled class when it comes to Section 1.

Nine teams, out of 30 ranked, come from Section 1. That is 30% of the teams coming from Section 1. I think it is safe to say, Section 1 remains dominate. You can check out full rankings and brackets HERE.

You can also listen to High School Volleyball on the Townsquare Media Southeast Minnesota Sports Network throughout the year!