Missouri Class 4 high school volleyball preview
Missouri Class 4 roundup is here. Again a lot of factors are yet to be determined in the state volleyball scene, but at least we can have a little fun to start the season. MSHSAA will not release the district…
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Continue ReadingMissouri Class 4 roundup is here. Again a lot of factors are yet to be determined in the state volleyball scene, but at least we can have a little fun to start the season. MSHSAA will not release the district and state playoff pairings until late September, so a lot of this could state. With the success factor in play for the private schools, several of these schools possibly will move up to Class 5. Until then, they stay in Class 4 until the state releases it. I also grouped the teams in each class following similar guidelines the state had the previous years for enrollment and teams per class.
Ste. Genevieve 14-14-4
14-14-4 and losing to eventual 4th place Class 3 finisher Windsor in the sectionals wasn’t a bad year for the Dragons. Considering they started as the 5th seed in districts and pulled off three upsets to make the state playoffs. Returning a couple of critical pieces of that team but might need to replace the best two players.
Odessa 32-1-3
The Bulldogs had a magical year last year, going 32-1-3 and losing in the sectional round at state. Having to replace the top 3 kill leaders and dig leaders and setter might be a little more than a team can handle. It might be a rebuilding year for Odessa. Or it also could be the guidance the underclassman needed to see what work is needed to move to the next level. We will see what’s in store for the new team on the state playoff black this year.
Central (Park Hills) 27-4-2
Rebels had a very successful year, but losing in the district semifinals after having the first seed probably left a sour taste. Coming back this year will be the three primary attacks in seniors Kaley Kimball, Lizi Marler, and Liberty Coleman Liberty Coleman MB Central | 2021 MO . The seniors combined for over 635 kills last year. Look for the Rebels to have another strong season.
Pleasant Hill 18-16-2
The Chicks had a rebuilding year. A mainstay at state the last several years failed to make it last year. The Chicks will return every single player from last year’s team. Longtime coach Creason will have the Chicks ready come playoffs. Seniors Maddy Nelson and Makenzie Carlile will guide these Chicks through the season. Made the Class 3 state quarterfinals last season.
Logan-Rogersville 33-5 Class 3 runner up
Last year’s state runner ups lost a whole lot of talent from last year. Birdie is off at Florida, and Coach Miller is now at Rolla. With a new coach and experience, Logan Rogersville will not be bottom dwellers. They return plenty of talent to return to the Final 4. Seniors middle Ashley Warren, setter Samantha Thompson, libero McKinsie Thompson all return to guide the Wildcats. Toss in 5’11 junior outside Brianna Linehan, and that’s a solid quartet. Keep an eye on the Wildcats come playoffs.
St. Francis Borgia 31-4 Class 3 Defending State Champions 12th state title
The defending Class 3 state champions return everyone but last year’s setter. She’s off playing college this year. Anne Arand, the libero from last year, will take over setting duties. That means all 5 of last year’s hitters will return and will be one year old. Most likely, Borgia will move up to Class 5 with the new MSHSAA success factor in place. But until announced, they will stay in Class 4. This team could be special if left in Class 4. Not sure how they will fair battling against school three times their size. They are a very talented bunch of juniors. First, start with Ella Brinkmann Ella Brinkmann 5'9" | OH St. Francis Borgia | 2022 State MO . The 5-8 jumping jack outside hitter that can hit from anywhere on the court. Add in 5’9 Lilly Brown, 5-10 Caroline Glastetter, 5’11 middle Kaitlyn Patke, 5-10 middle Lynsey Batson; this group can swing with the best of them. The key will last year libero runs a solid offense, and can they replace the last year’s libero with a reliable replacement. It should be interesting where Borgia falls when MSHSAA drops the districts and state routes in late September.
Windsor (Imperial) 23-10-5 Class 3 4th place
The Owls were the surprise of the state tourney last year to many. Finishing 4th last year was a great way to end the year. Returning to the team after having a fantastic first year will be sophomore Lexi Menne. The outside hitter led the team in kills and will do the same again this year. Back to help, Menne will be seniors Sydnie Kube and Lidiya Sokolic. The key to the Owl’s success will be finding a reliable replacement for setter Taylor Duncan who was the critical staple in the success for the Owls run to state.
Festus 21-11-2
When legendary coach Karen Biehle returned to Festus after years of being away, I knew it wouldn’t take long before she had the Tigers back in the playoffs. I think it took her two years. Gone from last year’s team is Bria Garmon Bria Garmon S Festus | 2020 State MO , but the cupboard isn’t empty. With junior Kinsey Benack back to take over for Bria and Lillian Brickhaus as back up, the Tigers will make some noise again this year. A Biehle coached team will never get outcoached.
Incarnate Word Academy 27-8-1
Another one of the privates is probably moving up to Class 5 with prior success. The storied Red Knight program returns a solid core of underclassmen that would help them complete at both Class 4 or Class 5. With Emma O’Keefe slamming balls on the outside and 6-1 middle Taylor Greenberry controlling the middle, IWA has the pieces to compete come playoffs. It all depends where they are placed in late September when MSHSAA releases the playoff schedules. Lost in Class 3 Sectionals to St. Dominic.
Marshfield 25-8-2
Come November, and the Bluejays could be pushing for a trip to the Final 4 since 1998. The team did lose two significant contributors from last year’s team that lost to Logan Rogersville in the state quarterfinals but return six regulars. With senior Brooklyn Crawford Brooklyn Crawford DS/L Nixa | 2021 State MO back to anchor the attack and senior Ellie Whitehurst potentially running a 5-1, the Bluejays could be meeting up with Carl Junction for the SWMO spot in the Final 4.
St. Dominic 26-8
Another one of the privates most likely getting bumped up to Class 5. Audrey Weber will return after putting down 354 kills for her senior season. St Dominic’s always in the mix come playoffs, and I look for that to be the same this year, whether it’s Class 4 or Class 5. Made the Class 3 quarterfinals before losing to Borgia.
Carl Junction 18-17
Carl Junction might be on the shortlist of state title contenders for Class 4 this year. With the hammer Salma Lewis Salma Lewis 5'8" | OH Carl Junction | 2021 State MO returning to break the 1000 kill list this year, it’s possible for a return trip to state after a 7-year drought. Sophomore stud setter Logan Jones Logan Jones 5'10" | S Carl Junction | 2023 State #57 Nation MO will be feeding Salma this year. Carl Junction seems to return all of its offense from last year. If they can shore up the backcourt, look for the Bulldogs come playoff time.
Helias Catholic 19-14
Helias most likely will be Class 5 this year but will keep them here until told otherwise. Last year was a rebuilding year for the Crusaders, going 19-14 and losing in the district finals. Returning the top 3 kills leaders in senior Jordan Benward, sophomore Chapel Dobbs, and senior Cate Albertson Helias will be a reloaded team this season. Helias was in the Class 4 last year, so moving up to Class 5 this year shouldn’t be a big surprise.
Kearney 18-12-2
Kearney is another team that is on the cusp of Class 4 or Class 5. If the Bulldogs could stay in Class 4, the chances of them making a run in the playoffs improve dramatically. Over the years, Kearney has produced some talented kids. One currently blocking middle for the Big Red. 6-3 senior middle Andi Kreiling Andi Kreiling 6'3" | MB Kearney | 2021 State MO is another in a long line of dominating middles from the Bulldogs. With avoiding the largest Kansas City schools in the playoffs, look for Kearney to make some noise in Class 4.
Rolla 21-13-1
With the legendary Logan Rogersville coach moving over to Rolla, I’m sure we will see Rolla in the state playoffs sooner than later. With a talented sophomore setter in Jessica Pritchett returning to set the offense, the pieces are in place for a successful first year for Coach Miller.
Perryville 27-7-2
Seniors Kristen Kaempfe, Jaiden Garris, Ashlyn Hotop, and Makara Werner return with 725 kills from last year. Toss in a sophomore Makenna Bollinger and junior Teagan Gerler and make that 862 returning kills for the Pirates. The missing piece will be replacing the 5-1 setter—pirates to push for a return to the state playoffs on the arms of the four seniors.