<p>With Willard, Parkway West, and Platte County all hit hard by graduation, this year’s Class 4 field appears to be anyone’s for the taking. Here are a few of the top retuning statistical leaders from last year to guide their teams to the state championships.</p>
<p><strong>Bella Calconer-Senior-Hannibal</strong></p>
<p>Another team that lost to Parkway West in the state playoffs, Bella Calconer, will look to guide the Pirates further this season. Finished the year with 251 kills on .394% hitting and 340 digs and a season-high 29 kills in the district championship win over Warrenton 3-2. </p>
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<p><strong>Jade Roth-Junior-Farmington</strong></p>
<p>Roth had a big sophomore year for the 6’0 middle with 231 kills, 77 blocks, and season-highs of 19 and 12 blocks in separate matches. Look for Jade Roth to have a much more offensive output this year.</p>
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<p><strong>Cora Roweton-Junior-Bolivar</strong></p>
<p>Another middle that had an excellent sophomore season finishing with 228 kills and 50 blocks. Season-highs of 19 kills in a 3-1 over Ash Grove and eight blocks in a 2-3 loss to Osage.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119189" first="Olivia" last="Williams"]-Senior-Grain Valley</strong></p>
<p>Williams is looking to guide the Eagles back to the state playoffs after falling one game short of the final four lost to 3<sup>rd</sup> place finisher Platte County. She completed the year with 271 kills and 266 digs, and a season-high 19 kills in a 1-3 loss to Kearney. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119201" first="Autumn" last="Kaderly"]-Senior-Smithville</strong></p>
<p>Warriors return their quarterback after Autumn had 648 assists last season. Season-high 37 assists in a 2-3 loss to Kearney. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119200" first="Emerson" last="Walter"]-Senior-Platte County</strong></p>
<p>Part of the 3<sup>rd</sup> place that helped the Pirates to the best school finish in history, Emerson was a big part of that run. Look for Emerson to be a leader this season and help the Pirates back to the state playoffs. With 631 assists, 220 digs, and season-high 29 assists in a 2-3 loss to Liberty.</p>
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<p><strong>Kayli Thomas-Senior-Branson</strong></p>
<p>5’11 senior led her Pirates to its best finish in years with a 0-3 lost to state champion Willard 1 win away from reaching the final four. She is the top returning block leader for Class 4 after finishing last year with 136 blocks and a season-high 15 blocks in a 3-0 win over Reeds Spring. Wingspan and her athleticism make her a formidable middle blocker.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152154" first="Bella" last="Uzzle"]-Junior-Hillsboro</strong></p>
<p>Class 4 dig leader from last year with 572 as a sophomore has a quick first step to every ball. Bella will look to guide the Hawks back to the state playoffs, where it lost last year to Nerinx Hall 0-3. Season-high of 51 digs in a 3-2 win over Perryville.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119206" first="Alyssa" last="Bruce"]-Senior-Warrenton</strong></p>
<p>Five hundred forty-four digs to end her junior year in a 2-3 loss to Hannibal in the district championship. Season-high 36 digs in a 3-1 over Sullivan.</p>
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<p><strong>Aubrie Brown-Senior-Union</strong></p>
<p>Returning to guide the Wildcats will be 5’2 libero Aubrie Brown. A bright spot for the Wildcats last year as she completed her junior year with 453 digs.</p>
