Leopold, Advance roll into Class 1 clash

Two of the area's top Class 1 volleyball teams will clash today in what could be a preview of a state quarterfinal matchup.

Advance (8-1) will make the trip to Leopold (9-1) for the first time this season. Leopold is the defending Class 1 state champions, while the Hornets were eliminated by Bismarck in the sectional round.

"I'm looking forward to it," Leopold coach Leanne Huffman said of tonight's game. "I know Advance is really tough this year."

Both teams have had strong starts that landed them in the season's first SEMO Top 10 volleyball poll released today. Advance is No. 3, Leopold No. 5. Leopold won the Woodland Tournament earlier this season before losing to Bell City in the first round of the gold bracket at the B.A. Sports Volleyball Classic.

"That was kind of disappointing at the SEMO Classic, but we can learn from it," Huffman said.

Advance made it to the quarterfinals of the B.A. Classic before being eliminated by Lindbergh. The Hornets defeated Bell City in three games Monday.

While Leopold lost all-state player Holly Jansen, now on a volleyball scholarship at Murray State, the Wildcats have all-state setter Wendy Vandeven back as well as all-district hitter Tasha Thele. Leopold has four starters back overall.

"I have a lot of talent on my team," Huffman said. "I have some really, really good girls."

Advance counters with a pair of powerful hitters in seniors Dana Williams and Nicole Tropf. Williams had 341 kills last season.

Tropf can impact the game as much with her serve as with her hitting ability. Last season Tropf had 87 aces and excelled defensively and led the team in blocks.

Leslie Rainey and Alicia Broshuis also are back.-- Jeremy Joffray

SOFTBALL

Notre Dame 10, Park Hills Central 0

Christain Burger went 2-for-3 with a double and Lindsey Reinagel struck out six and allowed only two hits as Notre Dame improved to 8-1.

The game lasted six innings and was stopped because of the 10-run rule.

Kelly 1, Central 0

Kelly avenged an opening-day loss at Central and defeated the Tigers at home behind a solid defense.

Pinch-runner Brittney Ponder scored the game's only run in the fifth inning on one of Jessica Burnett's team-leading two hits. Kelly's Michelle Collins allowed five hits as the winning pitcher, while Central's Megan McDonald struck out seven and gave up five hits in a losing effort.

McDonald and Jami Dement both went 2-for-3 for Central.

The Hawks improved to 8-3.

VOLLEYBALL

St. Pius 25-25, St. Vincent 19-21

St. Vincent lost to St. Pius at Festus to fall to 2-2. Miranda Weinkein had 23 assists and Sierra Paulus had five kills for the Squaws.

St. Vincent's JV won 25-22, 25-23, improving to 4-0.FRESHMEN VOLLEYBALL

Saxony 2-0 on the road

Saxony Lutheran swept a tri-match at Valle Catholic High School in Ste. Genevieve, defeating Valle 25-18, 25-21 and North County 25-17, 23-25, 25-21.

-- From staff reports