Perennial power Sioux Falls Christian was No. 1 in the preseason poll and again will be the favorites to win Class A volleyball.  

The Chargers were No. 1 in the preseason poll and garnered nine first-place votes. Dak-XII member Dell Rapids received two first-place votes and was No. 2 in the poll. Rapid City Christian, last season’s Class A runner-up, received the other first-place vote and was third in the preseason rankings. 

Miller and Baltic were fourth and fifth, respectively, in the preseason poll. 

Storylines to watch

Sioux Falls Christian on historic run: Sioux Falls Christian has dominated Class A volleyball for more than a decade. 

The Chargers have won 12 state championships since 2010, with ‘12 and ‘16 the only two seasons they didn’t win titles. Sioux Falls Christian is gunning for its eighth straight Class A state championship this fall. The Chargers already have the record for the most consecutive state volleyball championships. 

Who will challenge the Chargers?: While Sioux Falls Christian is the odds-on favorite to win Class A, there are still some worthy challengers. 

Dak-XII foe Dell Rapids returns two all-state players from last season’s third-place finish. The Quarriers are a year older and are among the top contenders in Class A. Rapid City Christian brings back experience from last season’s runner-up finish, while Miller and coach Linda DeBoer are always a tough out. 

Players to watch

Addisen Barber, Sioux Falls Christian: A 5-foot-9 senior setter, Barber orchestrated Sioux Falls Christian’s offensive attack last season. She finished with 1,053 assists, 195 digs and 51 aces. An all-state first-team selection, Barber will play college volleyball at Division I Oral Roberts. 

Sophi Randall, Dell Rapids: Randall was largely responsible for Dell Rapids’ run to the state tournament. A 6-foot senior setter, Randall registered 922 assists, 219 digs, 126 kills, 57 blocks and 53 aces last season. The first-team all-stater will play college volleyball at Division I Illinois. 

Madelynn Henry, Dell Rapids: Henry paired with Randall to form a solid 1-2 punch for the Quarriers. A 6-foot sophomore outside hitter, Henry was a second-team all-state selection as a freshman. Last season, she tallied 445 kills, 214 digs and 46 aces. 

Jolie Palmer, Miller: A 5-foot-6 junior libero, Palmer was a second-team all-stater in 2023. She tallied 635 digs and 71 aces. 

Charley Henderson, Mobridge-Pollock: A 5-foot-9 senior outside/middle hitter, Henderson was an honorable mention all-state performer last season. 

Bentlee Kollbaum, Elk Point-Jefferson: A 5-foot-11 senior outside hitter, Kollbaum was an honorable mention all-stater in 2023. 

Macy Plucker, Canton: A 5-foot-8 senior outside hitter, Plucker was an honorable mention all-state selection last season.