Are you ready from some playoff volleyball!

Jerry Jarrell photo Can the youthful Dexter Lady Bearcats pull off a surprise at home in the Class 3, District 1 volleyball tournament? That question along with many others will be answered starting Monday as Stoddard County schools will host four district tournament as the race for state titles in volleyball get underway. Pictured above are Dexter sophomore McKenzie Mitchell (left) and sophomore Lindsey Hindman during a recent game at Dexter High School.

Daily Statesman Sports Editor

It doesn't get any better if you are a high school volleyball fan.

Monday will signal the beginning of the MSHSAA volleyball playoffs as 16 district tournaments in each of four classes will mark the first hurdle for teams to clear on their way to a prestigious state title.

Stoddard County schools will be hosting four district tournaments that will include all eight teams that comprise the Stoddard County Activities Association (SCAA). Included in district tournaments at Dexter, Bloomfield, Advance and Bernie will be some of the state's elite teams in the sport, including Scott City at Bloomfield, Notre Dame Regional High School at Dexter and Leopold at Advance.

Here is a brief look at each district.

Class 3, District 1

At Dexter High School

Dexter will host the Class 3, District 1 tournament were state-ranked Notre Dame Regional High School will be the tournament's No. 1 seed, while the host Lady Bearcats were tabbed No. 2, ahead of Fredericktown (No. 3) which has been receiving consideration to be ranked in the state polls put has not been able to break through. The Lady Bulldogs were ranked No. 6 in Class 3 in the latest polls and are coming off an impressive win at home against Leopold, which was ranked No. 2 in Class 1.

Notre Dame (30-4) and Dexter (16-14) will both receive first-round byes and will not see action until Tuesday (Oct. 27). Rounding out the field will be No. 4 Kennett, No. 5 New Madrid County Central and No. 6 Doniphan.

Class 3, District 1

At Dexter High School

Schedule of Games

Monday (Oct. 26)

No. 1 Notre Dame bye

No. 2 Dexter bye

6:00 p. m. -- No. 3 Fredericktown vs. No. 6 Doniphan

7:00 p. m. -- No. 4 Kennett vs. No. 5 NMCC

Semifinals

Tuesday (Oct. 27)

5:00 p. m. -- Notre Dame vs. Kennett-MNCC winner

6:00 p. m. -- Dexter vs. Fredericktown-Doniphan winner

Championship Game

7:30 p. m. Tuesday

Semifinal Winners

Class 2, District 2

At Bloomfield

High School

Host Bloomfield has been playing great of late, winning the SCAA tournament and regular season title by defeating Bell City twice in less than a week. The Lady Wildcats have orchestrated a 23-5 season that includes a 6-1 record in league play, but to advance in the state tournament the team will have to contend with Scott City (26-2-1), the No. 1 ranked team in Class 2.

SCAA schools Puxico and Woodland will also be part of the field.

Class 2, District 2

At Bloomfield High School

Schedule of Games

Monday (Oct. 26)

No. 1 Scott City bye

4:00 p. m. -- No. 4 Clearwater vs. No. 5 Woodland

5:00 p. m. -- No. 2 Bloomfield vs. No. 7 Charleston

6:00 p. m. -- No. 3 Puxico vs. No. 6 Greenville

Semifinals

Tuesday (Oct. 27)

4:00 p. m. -- No. 1 Scott City vs. Clearwater-Woodland winner

5:00 p. m. -- Bloomfield-Charleston winner vs. Puxico-Greenville winner

Championship Game

Tuesday (Oct. 27) at 6:30 p. m.

Semifinal winners

Class 1, District 2

At Bernie High School

Bell City will be looking to continue a tradition of success in volleyball when it enters tournament play as the No. 1 seed at Bernie.

The Lady Cubs have shown they are vulnerable this season, with two recent losses to Bloomfield, one in the finals of the SCAA tournament and a recent regular-season meeting.

Much of the team's success will rest with sophomore Jasmine Johnson, who is one of the outstanding players in Southeast Missouri.

The Lady Cubs have always played a great defensive game, and with Johnson's hitting abilities, Bell City looks poised to put another district title in the record books.

Bell City's toughest competition could come from host and SCAA rival Bernie, which is the tournament's No. 2 seed.

Rounding out the field at Bernie will be No. 3 Risco, No. 4 Campbell, No. 5 Richland, No. 6 Oran and No. 7 Clarkton.

Class 1, District 2

At Bernie High School

Schedule of Games

Monday (Oct. 26)

No. 1 Bell City bye

4:30 p. m. -- No. 2 Bernie vs. No. 7 Clarkton

5:30 p. m. -- No. 4 Campbell vs. No. 5 Richland

6:30 p. m. -- No. 3 Risco vs. No. 6 Oran

Semifinals

Monday (Oct. 26)

7:30 p. m. -- Bell City vs. Campbell-Richland winner

8:30 p. m. -- Bernie-Clarkton winners vs. Risco-Oran winner

Championship Game

Tuesday (Oct. 27) at 6 p. m.

Semifinal Winners

Class 1, District 3

At Advance

High School

Leopold again enters tournament play as the team to beat. Leopold supports a 23-3 record and the No. 2 state ranking in Class 1, but the Wildcats are coming off a tough loss Thursday on the road to the larger Class 3 Lady Bulldogs of Notre Dame Regional High School.

Host Advance is the only SCAA school in the District 3 and the Lady Hornets were voted the No. 3 seed, behind No. 2 Zalma, which loss to Bloomfield Thursday night. Rounding out the field are Meadow Heights (No. 4), Saxony Lutheran (No. 5), Oak Ridge (No. 6) and Marquand (No. 7)

Class 1, District 3

At Advance High School

Schedule of games

Monday (Oct. 26)

Leopold bye

5:30 - Meadow Heights vs. Saxony Lutheran

6:45- Zalma vs. Marquand

8:00 - Advance vs. Oak Ridge

Tuesday (Oct. 27)

Semifinals

5:30 - Leopold vs. Meadow Height-Saxony Lutheran winner

6:45 - Zalma-Marquand winner vs. Advance-Oak Ridge winner

Championship Game

Semifinal winners, Tuesday at 8 o'clock