The Dell Rapids Quarriers made school history last season.

Dell Rapids, a school oozing with athletic success, captured its first-ever state volleyball championship in 2024, toppling Dakota Valley in the title match. 

The Quarriers are now No. 1 in the preseason South Dakota Prep Media Volleyball Poll, receiving eight first-place votes and 44 total points. Sioux Falls Christian received the other first-place vote for a total of 34 points. 

Dakota Valley, Miller and Hamlin round out the top-five teams in the preseason rankings. 

Storylines to watch

Will the Dak-XII continue its reign?: The Dak-XII Conference has ruled Class A volleyball for nearly two decades. Since 2010, the Class A state championship has been won by a Dak-XII program. Sioux Falls Christian has captured 12 state championships, Dakota Valley has captured two state titles and Dell Rapids won in 2024. The three programs were ranked 1st-through-3rd in the preseason rankings, and will again be among the top title contenders in Class A. 

No. 1 vs. No. 2: The top-two teams in Class A — Dell Rapids and Sioux Falls Christian — will square off early in the season. The Chargers will host the Quarriers on Sept. 4 in a marquee match of Class A powers. They split their two matches last season, with Dell Rapids snapping a long losing streak against the Chargers. 

Who else will emerge?: While Dak-XII programs Dell Rapids, Sioux Falls Christian and Dakota Valley headline Class A, the rest of the contenders are to be determined. State tournament qualifiers Miller and Hamlin return all-state players, and will again be in the mix. The other contenders from the class will unfold as the season progresses. 

Players to watch 

Note: These were all-state players last season. 

Madelynn Henry, Dell Rapids: A 6-foot outside hitter, Henry powered the Quarriers to their first-ever state volleyball championship last season. As a sophomore, she earned first-team all-state honors, recording 478 kills, 50 aces, 33 blocks and 181 digs. She has verbally committed to play college volleyball at Division I Oregon. 

Claire Munch, Dakota Valley: A 5-foot-10 senior outside hitter, Munch was a first-team all-state selection last season. She totaled 557 kills, 393 digs, 51 aces and 32 blocks, while recording a .318 hitting percentage. 

Jolie Palmer, Miller: A 5-foot-6 senior, Palmer was a first-team all-stater last season. She tallied 515 digs and 81 aces. 

Madelyn Munch, Dakota Valley: A 5-foot-9 junior setter, Munch garnered second-team all-state honors last season. She posted 1,060 assists, 51 aces, 250 digs and 63 kills. 

Addison Neuendorf, Hamlin: A 5-foot-6 senior outside hitter, Neuendorf earned second-team all-state honors last season, finishing with 395 kills, 52 aces and 402 digs. 

Abby Kjenstad, Great Plains Lutheran: A 5-foot-8 outside hitter, Kjenstad earned all-state honorable mention honors in 2024. She totaled 333 kills, 50 blocks, 425 digs and 34 aces, while recording a .371 hitting percentage.