Class 4 Preseason Rankings 1-5

With the adoption of the success factor for private schools in Missouri, private schools will be moving up and down yearly. Predicting what class some of the successful privates will fall in is a bit challenging until MSHSAA releases the districts at the end of the month. The rankings were based on last year's classes, even though a couple of the privates in Class 4 could move up. Westminster is the clear favorite if they stay in Class 4 with the returning talent from last year's championship team. Here are the top 5.   1. Westminster Christian Wildcats 27-8   The defending Class 4 champions return a truckload of 2023 talent with four of the top hitters back. If Westminster stays in Class 4, they should be the clear favorite to repeat. The only major challenge will be to replace one of the setters in the 6-2 offense. If they can solidify the setter position, I can't see them getting beat.   Key Returners:   [player_tooltip player_id='171209' first='Alli' last='Bishop'] 250 kills and 45 blocks   [player_tooltip player_id='152141' first='Emma' last='Fairchild'] 274 kills   [player_tooltip player_id='152125' first='Shelby' last='Truitt'] 261 kills and 213 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='123657' first='Abigail' last='Siess'] 265 kills and 234 digs   2. St. Pius X Warriors (Kansas City) 26-3-2   Last year's loss in the playoffs in a battle to Pembroke Hill 2-3 left a bad taste in the Warrior's mouths, and they are looking to make the final four. Lost four seniors off the team but returned the kill leader and libero. Finding the setter replacement and the other offense might be hard.   Key Returners:   [player_tooltip player_id='150046' first='Claire' last='Mosh'] 501 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='150042' first='Avery' last='Ashby'] 349 kills and 199 digs   3. Rogersville Wildcats 23-12-1   Getting hot at the right time was precisely what the Wildcats did last year to a 2nd place finish in Class 4. With the return of one of the top setters in Class 4 and tossing in a couple of returning hitters, Rogersville will look for a return to Cape. They play a grueling schedule, so they will take their lumps but will help come playoff time.   Key Returners:   [player_tooltip player_id='152121' first='Lauren' last='Tyler'] 149 kills and 979 assists   Olivia Frieze 174 kills and 103 digs   Natalie Scott 476 digs   4. Carl Junction Bulldogs 24-11   The Bulldogs return a D1 setter but replacing the kill leader could cause some issues; but return a trio of hitters that finished in the top 4 offensively. A date with Webb City on 9/20 will tell how good this team can come playoff time. Webb City knocked out Carl Junction in the district championship last year 2-3.   Key Returners:   Destiny Buerge 317 kills and 283 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='101701' first='Logan' last='Jones'] 128 kills and 1003 assists   Katie Scott 57 blocks and 239 kills   5. Pembroke Hill Raiders 18-12-2   The Raiders return one of the best setters in Class 4 and have offensively returned several key hitters and reserves to be just as challenging as last year. Several key matches loom to see where the Raiders stand as a date with St. Pius X on 8/31 and 9/22 with Sion and 9/29 with Pleasant Hill.   Key Returners:   [player_tooltip player_id='150021' first='Katie' last='Hargroves'] 151 kills   [player_tooltip player_id='98678' first='Sydney' last='Draper'] 90 kills and 749 assists   [player_tooltip player_id='124217' first='Gretel' last='Robbins'] 128 kills

With the adoption of the success factor for private schools in Missouri, private schools will be moving up and down yearly. Predicting what class some of the successful privates will fall in is a bit challenging until MSHSAA releases the districts at the end of the month. The rankings were based on last year's classes, even though a couple of the privates in Class 4 could move up. Westminster is the clear favorite if they stay in Class 4 with the returning talent from last year's championship team. Here are the top 5.