Class 4 Districts 5 and 6 Previews

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to believe we are already at districts! Today we will take a look at districts 5 and 6 in class 4. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">District 5 (Listed in order of seeds) @ Jefferson City</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Marshfield, Jefferson City, Helias Catholic, West Plains, Union, Capital City, Camdenton, Rolla</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshfield will enter as the top seed in the district being hosted by number two Jefferson City. Marshfield will open up on the first day, the 17th against Rolla. With a record of 19-7, we expect [player_tooltip player_id='170029' first='Gracie' last='Kimrey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='150038' first='Mollie' last='Thomas'] to lead the Blue Jays to the next round. The 4 vs. 5 match-ups will also take place on day 1 with West Plains and Union. It's been a tough couple of weeks for West Plains but they did get a tie with Marshfield in tournament action. [player_tooltip player_id='468438' first='Lily' last='Wiedemann'] and [player_tooltip player_id='217597' first='Lucy' last='Hafer'] will be key in getting a win over Union. Union has found the win column in eleven of twelve over the last month. [player_tooltip player_id='168038' first='Sophia' last='Helling'] is averaging close to five kills per set. We think she will lead them to the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Day two will have the home team Jefferson City take on Camdenton. At 17-9, [player_tooltip player_id='477959' first='Aydia' last='Mayotte'] is close to six digs per set defensively. Candemton is more balanced offensively being paced by [player_tooltip player_id='224419' first='Bella' last='Breuer'] in the kill category. I don't think it will be enough to advance. Helias should make easy work of Capital City. Elite defender [player_tooltip player_id='124227' first='Izzy' last='Herrbold'] is turning heads with almost eight digs per set. When these two teams faced off in September, Helias got the sweep behind [player_tooltip player_id='540282' first='Hannah' last='Hentges'] and her 14 kills. Capital was able to get 16 kills from Aslyn Marshall but they will need more to get out the opening round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshfield and Union have not faced each other this season. Marshfield tested themselves in tournament action and played some high-level teams from Missouri and Kansas. We believe that experience is what is needed to get through the postseason. We go with Marshfield. Jefferson City and Helias faced off last week and it ended in a sweep for Jeff City. We don't see much changing in this match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The home court advantage. Will it matter? We think so and Jefferson City claims the district title on their home court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">District 6 (Listed in order of seeds) @ Branson</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Carl Junction, Webb City, Branson, Springfield Catholic, Willard, Hillcrest, Parkview, McDonald County</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All matches on day one will be played between the high school and middle school. Top seed Carl Junction with a record of 24-8 will be the favorite coming in. They have wins over numerous teams in the district including the team they open with, McDonald County. [player_tooltip player_id='124228' first='Kylie' last='Scott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='178046' first='Karissa' last='Chase'] should be able to get their team wins in their first two matches. At 24-6, Webb City has a couple of wins over third-seed Branson and fourth-seed Willard. We see them making quick work of Parkview. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Branson, we have getting past Hillcrest with Madison Michel setting the team. The 4 vs. 5 is the only match we have question marks surrounding. The Fighting Irish have 19 wins this year. They do have five losses this month so we will see if they recapture their winning ways. Willard doesn't have as many wins but in our view has played a tougher schedule. Most of their defeats come to teams ranked higher in this district, along with district five. We will go with the slight upset picking the 5th seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carl Junction over Willard. Webb City will take on the challenge of beating a team three times and knock out Branson. We like Carl Junction in the championship to advance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->