All three South Dakota state volleyball champions from a year ago return to defend their titles beginning Thursday at The Monument Summit Arena in Rapid City.
Chester is seeking its third straight crown in Class B, Dell Rapids returns in Class A, and Harrisburg is chasing its fourth straight championship in Class AA.
Chester (30-1) returns as the number one seed but is not the only dominant Class B squad in this year’s field. Number two seed Northwestern (35-2) and three seed Warner (31-6) have combined for 18 state championship since the state went to three classes 33 years ago with the Wildcats claiming 11 and the Monarchs seven. Three teams return from last year’s state field. Chester stopped Warner in the title match while Gayville-Volin placed seventh.
Four of this year’s Class A state qualifiers were also in last year’s field. A potential rematch of last year’s championship is possible with top-seeded Dakota Valley (31-3) in the top bracket and last year’s titlist, Dell Rapids (27-6), the number two seed, in the bottom bracket. Third seed Sioux Falls Christian (25-10) placed third, and fifth seed Hamlin (21-4) finished fourth. Sioux Falls Christian has virtually owned the Class A division since 2010, winning 12 of the 15 state titles in that time span.
The Class AA tournament will feature six teams who are back in the elite eight from a year ago. Harrisburg (32-2) is the top seed and defeated seventh seed Sioux Falls Washington (17-7) in the championship match last season. Third seed Sioux Falls O’Gorman (24-4) finished third a year ago, 11th seed Sioux Falls Jefferson (12-12) placed fourth, five seed Watertown (21-9) finished sixth, and this year’s second seed Brandon Valley (25-3) was seventh last season.
Times for matches will be the same for all three classes with first round contests set for noon, 1:45 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7:45 p.m. (CT). Semifinals will be played at 6 and 7:45 p.m. and the championship matches at 7:45 p.m.
FOR FIRST ROUND PAIRINGS SEE THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL
