Class 4 rankings.
Still early in the season for many teams, but here is a look at who I think will be the top 10 teams come playoffs. Willard is heads above the field, and getting the move to Class 4 was what…
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Continue ReadingStill early in the season for many teams, but here is a look at who I think will be the top 10 teams come playoffs. Willard is heads above the field, and getting the move to Class 4 was what the Tigers needed.
1. Willard 17-1-1
Class 4 is Willards for the taking. I can’t see anyone at this point in this class that can stop Willard. Moving down to Class 4 was great for the Tigers. The Maddie Bushnell, Payton Van Veen Payton Van Veen 6'2" | OH Willard | 2021 State MO , and company will be hard to stop. Only loss was to Class 5 Borgia in the finals of the Borgia Tournament.
2. Carl Junction 14-2
With a 2-1 win over Webb City in the CJ Classic, the Bulldogs will meet the Cardinals again at Webb City on October 6th. The Bulldogs will need substantial efforts from Salma Lewis Salma Lewis 5'8" | OH Carl Junction | 2021 State MO , Logan Jones Logan Jones 5'10" | S Carl Junction | 2023 State #57 Nation MO , and Jessa Hylton at the net to escape Webb City with a W.
3. Platte County 16-5-2
Starting the season with Park Hill and Liberty North wasn’t an easy task for the Pirates. Losing both in 1-3 scores, the Pirates bounced back to take one from Park Hill later in the season. Having to face Smithville, who they beat already, and Kearney in districts will not be easy but a doable task. Two teams, they play in the next two weeks. Bryn McGehe Bryn McGehe 5'8" | DS/L Platte County | 2021 State MO , Kate Brown Kate Brown 5'11" | MB Platte County | 2022 State MO , Aly Anderson, and Mary Grace Hunter all with 100+ kills on the season, and one more not far off the 100 kill plateau, the Pirates could be a playoff-bound team.
4. Pembroke Hill 7-0
The Raiders are off to a solid start, but the schedule has been pretty weak up to this point. Sarah Lattan, Katie Hargroves, Paige Edwards, and Sydney Draper Sydney Draper 5'11" | S Pembroke Hill | 2023 State #143 Nation MO give the Raiders four solid attackers. A date with Pleasant Hill on October 1st will gives us a better idea of Pembroke Hills state stance.
5. Windsor 11-4-1
With a 2-1 win over St Pius already, the Owls look for the rematch on October 19th to solidly themselves as a playoff contender. Sophomore Lexi Menne and Lidiya Sokolic leading the Owls attack, seem to be on the right path. Having already defeated district rival Festus 3-2, a rematch on October 6th awaits.
6. Webb City 14-3-1
Webb City has lost to Carl Junction, Camdenton, and Ozark, and they redeemed the lost to Camdenton already. Looking to take out Carl Junction will be next on the list. They will need a gutsy performance from Brenda Lawrence, Makenzie Storm, and Maddy Peeples to get over the Carl Junction hump.
7. Logan Rogersville 7-5-1
The Class 3 runner up last year lost a lot but has a solid resume to start the year. Losing to Willard, Carl Junction, Ozark, Nixa, and Helias is challenging to start a season. With Brianna Linehan, Chelsea Schatzer, and Mckinzie Thompson slamming sets from Samantha Thompson, the Wildcats will be a tough team come districts. Unfortunately for them, they are in with Willard.
8. Camdenton 11-4-2
Loses to Kickapoo, Webb City, Rock Bridge, and Helias are not bad losses for the Lakers. To be a contender in Class 4, they will need big play from junior Payton Kincaid and Miranda Hadfield. In the same district as Marshfield.
9. St. Pius Festus 10-4-3
Kennedy Lane Kennedy Lane 5'9" | OH St. Pius X | 2022 State MO makes this team go, but Summer Meyer and Kirsten Schrader are excellent role players to have. With a tough loss to Class 1 Advance last week, the Lancers look to bounce back with a matchup with Incarnate Word Academy and Windsor in October.
10. Marshfield 12-2
With wins over Smithville and Strafford, Marshfield has a couple of solid wins. Willard and Fatima have taken out the Bluejays so far. Seniors Brianna Utecht and Brooklyn Crawford Brooklyn Crawford DS/L Nixa | 2021 State MO will need a lot more help if Marshfield wants to take a step toward playoffs. District foe Camdenton is off to a hot start as well.