Class 4 Quarterfinals 1 & 2 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Incarnate Word Academy Red Knights 28-10-1 vs. Lutheran St. Charles Cougars 24-15-2</mark></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Incarnate Word Academy Red Knights 28-10-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Knights finished 2^nd in Class 4 last year losing to Westminster Christian in the final 1-3. This year they've been my top pick for not only a return to the final four but to win it all. The team went to Florida at the beginning of the season and took four of the ten losses to top national programs. Won their district with sweeps of Roosevelt, Mccluer, and Ladue to reach the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='169895' first='Tara' last='Greenberry'] – 2025 – 6'3” – Middle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>450 kills and 91 blocks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='169896' first='Ellie' last='Witthaus'] – 2025 – 5'10” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>315 kills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124225' first='Sammi' last='Bergjans'] – 2024 – 5'9” – Setter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1113 asssits and 194 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235705' first='Abby' last='Freund'] -2024 – 5'4” – Libero</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>447 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Incarnate Word Results: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lutheran Results:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cor Jesu won 3-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cor Jesu lost 0-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Francis Howell won 3-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Francis Howell lost 0-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nerinx Hall won 3-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nerinx Hall won 3-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summit won 2-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Summit lost 1-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Dominic lost 0-2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; St. Dominic lost 1-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Borgia lost 1-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Borgia won 3-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Joseph's Academy lost 2-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; St. Joseph's Academy loss 2-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westminster Christian won 3-0 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Westminster Christian won 3-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lutheran St. Charles Cougars 24-15-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars have had a roller-coaster season with their longest winning streak being five games and at the right time. They won districts by not dropping a set by beating Ft. Zumwalt East, Parkway Central, and Hannibal to win districts for the fourth straight year. Besides the district championship, another highlight of the season was winning the silver bracket at the loaded Ozark Grand Slam.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='170035' first='Maya' last='Griggs'] – 2024 – 5'10” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>369 kills and 210 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='737531' first='Lacey' last='Zumbehl'] – 2025 – 5'8” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>223 kills and 105 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454718' first='Sarah' last='Sanderson'] – 2024 – 5'7” – Libero</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>433 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Katelyn Diani-O'Day – 2025 – 5'9” – Setter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>103 kills, 260 digs, and 819 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Both teams have fantastic setters that run the show and keep the hitters pounding away. Incarnate Word is a tenacious defensive team and probably wouldn't be chasing the title if not for the defense they play. Lutheran will need to play a flawless game to compete with the Red Knights but could give them fits. For Lutheran to pull off the upset their hitters will have to stay composed against IWA's defense. Not sure the Cougars have enough blocking and defense to keep up with the Incarnate Word attack and I see the Red Knights taking this one 3-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">St. Pius X Lancers 22-6 vs. Parkway West Longhorns 23-10-3</mark></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Pius X Lancers 22-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lancers are a very young but extremely talented team and will return the top four kill leaders from this season. They would sweep through districts by knocking off Sikeston, DeSoto, and Festus to claim the championship. They have two of the best 2026 players in the state, a D1 commit, and at least three more who can play at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='168037' first='Hannah' last='Leftridge'] – 2025 – 5'9” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>355 kills and 191 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221230' first='Bennett' last='Raterman'] – 2026 – 6'4” – Middle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>248 kills and 61 blocks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anna Makowski – 2025 – 6'0” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>182 kills and</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221231' first='Elena' last='Ruble'] – 2026 – 5'9” – Setter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>112 digs and 810 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Pius X Results:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Parkway West Results:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eureka lost 0-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Eureka lost 0-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incarnate Word Lost 0-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Incarnate Word lost 0-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lutheran South won 3-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lutheran South won 2-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mehlville won 3-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mehlville won 2-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MICDS won 2-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MICDS won 2-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nerinx Hall 2-0&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nerinx Hall lost 0-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Parkway West Longhorns 23-10-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Longhorns are an interesting team. I've watched them play twice and they won in 5 and lost in 5. Both times they looked incredible and then dismal. If they can string together solid play throughout each set they are a tough team to beat. They knocked off Summit in 5 to win their district which was revenge for a match I was in attendance for when they lost in 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Katie Byergo – 2026 – 6'5” – Middle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>235 kills and 51 blocks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='456618' first='Erica' last='Conger'] – 2025 – 5'10” – Outside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>295 kills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sophia Licavoli – 2025 – 5'7” – Libero</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>501 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='169899' first='Maddy' last='Bach'] – 2025 – 5'8” – Setter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>318 digs and 869 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> The possibility of them meeting again next year in the same game is strong. Both are youthful and talented teams. St. Pius has been more consistent this season while Parkway West is a streaking team. Both have big middles and great setters. Pius has the edge on the outside with two big bombers and solid defense. This will be a battle as both teams have the potential to win but going with Pius in 4. Too much firepower all over the place for the Longhorns to stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->