Chester and Warner played an epic five-set thriller for last season’s Class B state championship, with the Flyers outlasting the Monarchs for the title. 

Chester and Warner are again atop the Class B ranks to start the 2024 season. Chester was No. 1 in the preseason poll and received 10 first-place votes. Warner garnered two first-place votes and was No. 2 in the poll. 

Northwestern, Burke and Hitchcock-Tulare rounded out the top-five teams. 

Storylines to watch

Can Chester repeat?: Last season, Chester denied Warner’s shot at a Class B three-peat and beat the Monarchs in a five-set thriller. This season, Chester goes from the hunter to the hunted. 

The Flyers, who bring back a host of key contributors, are the No. 1 team in the preseason polls and will get everybody’s best shot each night. 

Conference foes Warner, Northwestern are always in the mix: Warner and Northwestern have been Class B heavyweights for years, and they’ll be in the title hunt again this season. 

The Lake Region Conference rivals, separated by 15 miles, have combined for 20 state championships since volleyball split into three classes in 1992. Northwestern has won 12 state championships, while Warner has won eight titles. 

Players to watch

Kailee Frank, Burke: A 5-foot-9 senior outside hitter, Frank was a first-team all-state selection last season. She racked up 436 kills and 388 digs. 

Lily Van Hal, Chester: A 5-foot-10 junior setter/hitter, was a key part of Chester’s title run last season. She logged 825 assists, 260 kills, 275 digs and 97 aces. 

Ashley Haven, Northwestern: A 6-foot junior middle hitter, Haven was a first-team all-state honoree last season. She posted 441 kills, 353 digs, 70 blocks and 60 aces. 

Katelyn Schroeder, Hitchcock-Tulare: A 6-foot senior outside hitter, Schroeder posted 380 kills and 412 digs last season. She was a second-team all-state selection. 

Kyleigh Schopp, Warner: A 6-foot senior middle hitter, Schopp has been a key player for the Monarchs the past few seasons. Last season, she posted 424 kills and 92 blocks during a second-team all-state season. 

TyAnn Mortenson, Faith: A 5-foot-11 senior middle hitter, Mortenson was an honorable mention all-stater last season. Mortenson was also the Class B javelin state champ this past spring.

Carley Cotton, Faulkton Area: A 5-foot-7 outside hitter, Cotton collected 374 kills, 574 digs and 57 aces last season. Cotton was an honorable mention all-state performer.