Class 5 Sectionals Quarterfinal 3 and 4
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The newest biggest game of the season has arrived for these four teams ready to battle it out for a spot in the final four next weekend. One last sleep before they pull up the knee pads and take the…
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Continue ReadingThe newest biggest game of the season has arrived for these four teams ready to battle it out for a spot in the final four next weekend. One last sleep before they pull up the knee pads and take the court in Liberty and Springfield.
Quarterfinal 3
Rock Bridge (26-5) vs. Kickapoo (25-8) – 3:00 PM
These two teams faced off the first weekend of the season with Rock Bridge walking away with a 2-set sweep. The Bruins have no “bad losses” on the year, with one of those teams being another quarterfinal participant Liberty North. Ella Swindle Ella Swindle 6'2" | S Rock Bridge | 2023 State #6 Nation MO is the setter we all know about. She has the ability to affect the match in many facets with her sets, dumps, and blocking abilities. Lily Dudley Lily Dudley 5'10" | OH Rock Bridge | 2023 State #192 Nation MO leads the offensive onslaught on the pin and has 355 kills on the year. Senior Kaylen Rush Kaylen Rush 5'7" | DS/L Rock Bridge | 2023 State MO has been impressive in the back row with 310 digs and over 200 receptions.
On the other side of the net, host Kickapoo is up for the challenge. They enter the contest winners of 7 in a row. They have a common defeat with the before mentioned Liberty North team. This team has a little more balance offensively with three players averaging over 2 kills per set led by Grace Gardner and Bella Faria. Hannah Gardner Hannah Gardner 5'10" | S Kickapoo | 2025 State MO and Reagan Greenway team up in the setter position.
Prediction: We will go with Rock Bridge making a return trip to Cape in four sets.
Quarterfinal 4
St. Teresa’s Academy (16-11-1) at Liberty North (29-5) – 3:00 PM
We are not shocked to see St. Teresa’s and their 11 losses in this round. They play a schedule that prepares them for this moment and they prevailed knocking out Lee’s Summit West in four sets. We knew the team has the firepower on the pin with Reagan Fox Reagan Fox 6'2" | OH St. Teresa's Academy | 2023 State #104 Nation MO , who dropped 24 digs in the victory. If she has the supporting cast of Isabel Glover Isabel Glover 6'1" | MB St. Teresa's | 2025 State MO , Margot Randall, Piper Newton Piper Newton 5'11" | MB St. Teresa's | 2024 State MO , and Madeline Sallee Madeline Sallee 5'10" | RS St. Teresa's | 2025 State MO all clicking, they can be very good. Brynne McGhie Brynne McGhie 5'10" | S St. Teresa's Academy | 2023 State MO dished out 48 assists in their district title match.
Liberty North delivered a statement win in sweeping cross-town rival and state contender Liberty for a district title. This writer made the claim weeks ago Carlie Cisneros Carlie Cisneros 6'0" | OH Liberty North | 2024 State #7 Nation MO is the best player in Kansas City and she continues to make me look good. As we mentioned in the Quarterfinal 3 preview, the Eagles have a lot of quality wins on the season against some great teams across the state. Rory Stanley Rory Stanley 6'0" | MB Liberty North | 2023 State MO and Mak Miller could be the difference makers offensively in this match. Also, keep your eye on the decision-making of setters Lauren Wright Lauren Wright 5'8" | S Liberty North | 2024 State MO and Emma Christian Emma Christian 5'8" | S Liberty North | 2025 State MO . These two have been good all year in big pressure moments all season, will they keep that mojo going in the biggest game of the year? We think so and to our prediction…
Prediction: We like Liberty North. Both teams are actually very strong defensively. Both teams can score out of system. Both teams have really good setters. The difference will be the supporting cast and we like the Eagles bunch in this one.