Class 5 Preseason Rankings 1-5
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Class 5 was a challenging field last year, and Lafayette is again the favorite to win it back-to-back. The Lancers bring back a wealth of talent. Liberty North has the best 2024 player in the country, and never count the…
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Continue ReadingClass 5 was a challenging field last year, and Lafayette is again the favorite to win it back-to-back. The Lancers bring back a wealth of talent. Liberty North has the best 2024 player in the country, and never count the Eagles out. Kickapoo returns a loaded squad but will have to fight like crazy to get out of districts. With the multiplier in effect, the field for Class 5 could change slightly, but the favorites to win the title won’t.
1. Lafayette Lancers 32-6
The defending Class 5 champions return key players at each position except for the middle. No worries; there are always players waiting for their chance to shine. A trio of seniors, Allison Risley Allison Risley 5'11" | OH Lafayette | 2024 State #187 Nation MO , Alyssa Nelson Alyssa Nelson 5'8" | S Wildwood | 2024 State MO , and Mia Moser, will have the team buzzing again come late October.
2. Liberty North Eagles 31-6
Carlie Cisneros Carlie Cisneros 6'0" | OH Liberty North | 2024 State #7 Nation MO is the best player in the state and will guide the Eagles back to the final four to better last year’s 3rd place. Keep an eye on Mak Miller, as I see her having a breakout season for North.
3. Kickapoo Chiefs 31-9
Class 5 runner-up Kickapoo has the talent to return to make another run to the championship. Rocket launcher outside Bella Faria Bella Faria 5'10" | OH Kickapoo | 2024 State MO headlines the team, along with libero Kya Johnson Kya Johnson DS/L Kickapoo | 2024 State MO and a mix of 4 more seniors. Experience is on the side of the Chiefs.
4. Lee’s Summit West Titans 22-11
The Titans return the top four hitters in Ryanne Wattree Ryanne Wattree 5'10" | RS Lees Summit West | 2024 State MO , Kamryn Mcdonald, Bella Bishop Bella Bishop OH Lee's Summit West | 2025 State MO , and Ava Anderson Ava Anderson 6'3" | MB Lees Summit West | 2024 State MO . The key to the team’s success will be replacing the setter lost to graduation.
5. Ozark Tigers 23-12-2
2026 Tara Venable Tara Venable 5'11" | OH Ozark | 2026 State MO led the Tigers and returned Reagan Baade Reagan Baade 5'8" | OH Ozark | 2024 State MO and Skylar Hilton Skylar Hilton 6'2" | MB Ozark | 2025 State MO and the 979 kills between the trio—Ozarks in a challenging area with Class 5 runnerup Kickapoo and always-strong Nixa.