Class 5 Preseason Rankings 6-10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>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 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.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Eureka Wildcats 33-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124215' first='Olivia' last='Hasbrook'] </strong>returns for her final season at Eureka before heading to Ohio State. The Wildcats will need a significant effort from Hasbrook, as they lost a ton of talent from last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='169897' first='Jenna' last='Cubbage']</strong> returns and will have a much more significant role offensively to help the Wildcats stay in contention come playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. St. Joseph Academy Angels 17-10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The University of Missouri recruit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124216' first='Claire' last='Morrissey']</strong> returns to the left pin for the Angels but will need to replace the defense lost to graduation. If the Angels can lock down the defensive side, the offense should have no issues racking up kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. St. Dominic Crusaders 25-12-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing I've learned is to never bet against the Crusaders. It will be interesting to see how 2025 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='174406' first='Brytn' last='Lyon']</strong> is used this year, but I know <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='365820' first='Kayla' last='Robertson']</strong> will be dropping bombs on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. Howell Central Spartans 19-7-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning two of the best hitters in program history, 6'3" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153933' first='Jordan' last='Smith']</strong> and 6'1" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150050' first='Shae' last='Pearson']</strong>, you will see a lot of ball bouncing from these two. The key to success will rely on setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222580' first='Grace' last='Holtz']</strong> potentially running a 6-1.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. Jackson Indians 31-5-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson returns a trio of hitters in <strong>Katy St. John, [player_tooltip player_id='170028' first='Ella' last='Domian']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124849' first='Nadia' last='Wasilewski']</strong> that combined for 915 kills. Defense and setting will help propel the team to another district title. A much tougher schedule is needed to boost them to move forward in the state playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->