Class 5 early season rankings.
Class 5 has a lot of newcomers and should shake things up a bit this year. One thing that hasn’t changed is Lafayette and it’s dominance. Until it’s knocked off the state level, I can’t see not giving them the…
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Continue ReadingClass 5 has a lot of newcomers and should shake things up a bit this year. One thing that hasn’t changed is Lafayette and it’s dominance. Until it’s knocked off the state level, I can’t see not giving them the top rank at this point. We have a couple of other teams that might have something to say about this ranking. The common denominator about several of these teams is you’ll see they are all going to the Ozark Grand Slam at the end of October.
1. Lafayette 4-0
The Lancers know how to win, and they just got pushed to the brink of defeat last night by St. Dominic and won. Battling back from being down 0-2 and winning 15-12 in the 5th let me know they will be a hand full come playoffs. With Eureka and defending Class 3 private Borgia in the same district, this should be an interesting one to watch. Morgan Isenberg, Jordyn Lochmann Jordyn Lochmann 6'0" | OH Lafayette | 2023 State MO , Jenny Nguyen, Caitlyn Little, and Layne Witherspoon Layne Witherspoon 6'0" | MB Lafayette | 2023 State MO have just started the season but look sharp. Play in the Ozark tourney at the end of the month.
2. St. Dominic 14-2-1
Audrey Weber and Breanna Schreimann are smoking hot on the outside and are very hard to stop. The role players are doing their part to keep things moving along. With the 2-3 loss to Lafayette solidifies, this team is legit Class 5 title hunter. Rachel Schipper Rachel Schipper 5'8" | S St. Dominic | 2022 State MO keeps the offense clicking be on the lookout for the Crusaders playing in November. The only losses are to Lafayette and Willard and have handed Borgia both their losses on the season.
3. Liberty North 9-0
Eagles have a hot start to the season thanks to Isabel Zimmerman Isabel Zimmerman 6'2" | RS Liberty North | 2022 State #30 Nation MO and Carlie Cisneros, Addison Beagle Addison Beagle 5'9" | S Liberty North | 2022 State MO , and Rylee Staatz. With big wins over Liberty, St. Teresa’s Academy, and Lee’s Summit West, I see unique things this year if they can get by Liberty in districts.
4. St. Francis Borgia 13-2-2
Class 3 defending champs move up to Class 5 then get put into Lafayette’s district. Talk about a thank you from MSHSAA on that. The only losses on the year are to St. Dominic and split with Hermann #1 in Class 3 and Willard #1 in Class 4. Watch for battles with Lafayette October 13th, October 15th Helias, and 19th with Hermann. Ella Brinkmann Ella Brinkmann 5'9" | OH St. Francis Borgia | 2022 State MO n’s 208 kills, Caroline Glastetter’s 152 kills, and Annie Arand Annie Arand 5'8" | DS/L St. Francis Borgia | 2022 State MO ’s 367 assists, the Knights could be in for a long October if the defense and passing are still struggling as they did against St. Dominic. Play at the Ozark tourney at the end of the month.
5. Helias 15-1-1
Chapel Dobbs has come on in her sophomore year to lead the Crusaders with 131 kills. With only a 1-2 loss to Willard, at this point, moves them below Borgia. October 10th date with Hermann and 15th date with Borgia will be intriguing matchups to see where Helias ranks.
6. Nixa 9-2
Surviving a 3-2 win over Ozark and taking a 0-3 loss to Willard has moved Nixa down a few spots. I still think Nixa is the team to beat in Class 5 out of the SWMO area, but they are in a district with Ozark and Kickapoo, which isn’t easy. With Jaycee Fixsen Jaycee Fixsen 5'11" | OH Nixa | 2022 State MO and Taylor Golmen Taylor Golmen 5'11" | MB Nixa | 2021 State MO leading the attack and setter Sydney Golden Sydney Golden 5'9" | S Nixa | 2022 State MO dishing, the sets don’t count out the defending Class 4 champions. Playing at the Ozark tourney at the end of the season.
7. Rock Bridge 11-1-1
With a win over Hermann, Ozark, Pleasant Hill, I’m going with the Bruins here. The only loss was to Hermann. Guided by sophomores 6’3 setter Ella Swindle Ella Swindle 6'2" | S Rock Bridge | 2023 State #6 Nation MO and hitter Lily Dudley the future looks bright at Rock Bridge. Match up with Helias on October 1st awaits and give us a better indication of what the Bruins have.
8. St. Teresa’s Academy 5-4
The Star’s haven’t played much, but the competition is next to none when they have. Skutt Catholic, NE, the number 1 team in the country, St. Thomas Aquinas, KS, Liberty North, Lee’s Summit West, have all be defeats. Seniors Maggie McInerney Maggie McInerney 6'1" | OH St. Teresa's Academy | 2021 State MO , Kelly Ann Greene Kelly Ann Greene 6'0" | MB St. Teresa's Academy | 2021 State MO , and Lauren Halverson are the team’s kill leaders at this point in the season. Also in the Ozark tourney at the end of October.
9. Park Hill 11-4
I didn’t know what to think of the Trojans until they went and beat Lee’s Summit West 3-2. From the highlights, Kristen Birmingham Kristen Birmingham 6'1" | OH Park Hill | 2021 State MO 22 kills, Aisha Aiono 15 kills, and Shaye Koski 11 kills had a heck of a match. Intriguing matchups with Liberty North, Liberty, Blue Springs, and a rematch with Lee’s Summit West this month.
10. Liberty 6-3
St. Teresa’s Academy, Liberty North, and Lee’s Summit West have knocked off the Bluejays this season. October 10th versus Park Hill, then rematch with Liberty North, and the 22nd with Lee’s Summit West will see where Liberty stands at the end of the season. The Ozark tourney also awaits the Bluejays. Madison Corf Madison Corf 5'11" | OH Liberty | 2022 State MO 125 kills, Bailee Middleton Bailee Middleton 5'10" | DS/L Liberty | 2021 State MO 85 kills, and Brooklyn Young Brooklyn Young 6'0" | MB Liberty | 2023 State MO 77 kills are the season leaders. With only nine matches played, it’s still early in the season.