Class 5 Final Four Preview
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Cor Jesu Academy Chargers 21-5-3 vs. St. Dominic Crusaders 20-8-3 These two locked horns the week before districts and the Chargers were a better team and came out with the sweep. The state is a different beast, and I’ve seen…
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Continue ReadingCor Jesu Academy Chargers 21-5-3 vs. St. Dominic Crusaders 20-8-3
These two locked horns the week before districts and the Chargers were a better team and came out with the sweep. The state is a different beast, and I’ve seen a lot of upsets, but I don’t see it happening to Cor Jesu this year. The Chargers’ big guns will come out blazing, but the defense and passing make the Chargers a better team. St. Dominic has a solid team with a fantastic senior outside and two solid middles. Cor Jesu has solid middles and bangers on the pins.
Common Opponents:
Cor Jesu 5-2-1
St. Dominic 1-4-3
Head to Head: Cor Jesu 25-16, 25-19, 25-23
Key Players:
Gretchen Olson (2022) | Cor Jesu
A big presence in the middle for the Chargers with big blocking capabilities but offensively is where she can be damaging for opponents.
Kaylie Drysdale Kaylie Drysdale 5'11" | OH Cor Jesu | 2022 State MO (2022) | Cor Jesu
The aspect of her game that caught my eye in the quarterfinals was her defensive effort. We all know she can bang on the outside, but her defense is what helped Cor Jesu win it 3-0.
Jacqueline Beville (2022) | Cor Jesu
The lefty is lethal on the right side and, at 5’11, puts up a solid block. If she can get going on the right, this would open up a lot of offense for the Chargers.
Emma Blaine Emma Blaine 6'0" | MB St. Dominic | 2023 State MO (2023) | St. Dominic
A key aspect to the Crusaders game that needs to shine will be the middle blockers. Blaine can put up a huge block but can pound it when given the ball. She needs to have a big blocking game to beat Cor Jesu.
Kayla Robertson (2024) | St. Dominic
The middle play for St. Dominic will be critical for the Crusader’s success. Cor Jesu has big pin hitters, so if Robertson and Blaine can help stabilize the outsides, then St. Dominic would be in an excellent position to win the semifinal match-up.
Faith Henke Faith Henke 5'10" | OH St. Dominic | 2023 State MO (2023) | St. Dominic
Success from the #2 outside will be vital if St. Dominic wants to open things up offensively. Outside hitters for St. Dominic can hit over or through most blockers, but Cor Jesu will be different. She’ll need more output than the two kills she had at the last meeting.
Prediction: Cor Jesu has a strong put-together team that uses its strength to help improve its weakness. Cor Jesu has big middles that do excellent job blocking, but the pin hitters for Cor Jesu are all four solid hitters. Cor Jesu gets the pins going, and the middles open up; the Chargers will exploit the Crusader’s block. St. Dominic has one tremendous outside hitter, and the middles are tough. I think the game comes down to passing and defense, which I think Cor Jesu is better. Cor Jesu comes out strong and wins 3-1.
Rock Bridge Bruins 34-4 vs. Lee’s Summit West Titans 24-9
I had a rematch of the championship match taking place here with Nixa and Liberty North. I will not lie, but I did not pick these two teams to make the final four. I’ve watched Rock Bridge play this year, and they were very impressive against Mater Dei, IL but then against Borgia in a 0-3 defeat; they didn’t look all that together. I mean, Rock Bridge has one of the best junior setters in the nation. Then add in she’s 6’3, jumps out of the gym, and headed to Austin to play for the Longhorns, that should say enough. I didn’t know enough about the Titans, so I researched for more information and videos. I mean, they did beat defending state champions Liberty North Eagles in 5, 15-13, who had beaten West 3-0 and 3-1 previously.
Common Opponents:
Blue Springs beat Rock Bridge 1-2
Lee’s Summit West beat Blue Springs 3-0
Rock Bridge and Lee’s Summit West both beat Marquette 2-0
Head to Head: No
Key Players:
Sydney Handel Sydney Handel 5'10" | OH Lee's Summit West | 2022 State MO (2022) | Lee’s Summit West
They set her early and often, and she doesn’t disappoint. High contact point and uses the block exceptionally well. Talent hitter as she put down 25 kills in the quarterfinal win over Liberty North.
Kenzie Kennicutt (2022) | Lee’s Summit West
The #2 outside hitter for the Titans is impressive in video and does a lot of nice work. She is a solid defender and passer with a nice little pause in her arm swing that catches the block off. She will more than likely be hitting against Rock Bridge’s biggest blockers.
Kaelyn McDonald Kaelyn McDonald 6'0" | RS Lee's Summit West | 2022 State MO (2022) Lee’s Summit West
Middle hitter Kaelyn transitions well, allowing her to be available for 1’s in the middle or using the slide to put the ball down. She needs to help shut down the Rock Bridge outside hitter.
Ella Swindle Ella Swindle 6'2" | S Rock Bridge | 2023 State #6 Nation MO (2023) Rock Bridge
Everyone already knows all about her, but if you don’t get ready. The kid is a treat to watch her run a fast offense or does that beautiful slam dump. The game I like the most is her blocking. Head over the net with full penetration. Watch her play ball!
Lily Dudley Lily Dudley 5'10" | OH Rock Bridge | 2023 State #192 Nation MO (2023) Rock Bridge
The high-flying outside hitter for the Bruins is legit. Defensively solid, get her the ball on the outside, and let her fly over the block for a kill. She needs a tremendous game passing and defending to beat the Titans.
Emma Lea Benney Emma Lea Benney 5'10" | OH Rock Bridge | 2022 State MO (2022) Rock Bridge
#2 outside hitter for the Bruins will need to have another solid match like in the quarterfinals for Rock Bridge to reach the final. If she can get double-digit kills, the Bruins should be in a good spot.
Prediction: This one will go five, and Rock Bridge will get the win. I’ve watched Rock Bridge play three times, and each time they do something a little better than before. Those were midseason games. Rock Bridge did beat Nixa in 4, which I thought would not happen. The Titans beat Liberty North, so they are a formidable foe and not to be taken lightly. I give the edge to Rock Bridge because I’ve watched them in person to understand better what they have across the board.