Class 4 Quarterfinals 1 & 2 Preview
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Incarnate Word Academy Red Knights 28-10-1 vs. Lutheran St. Charles Cougars 24-15-2 Incarnate Word Academy Red Knights 28-10-1 The Red Knights finished 2nd in Class 4 last year losing to Westminster Christian in the final 1-3. This year they’ve been…
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Continue ReadingIncarnate Word Academy Red Knights 28-10-1 vs. Lutheran St. Charles Cougars 24-15-2
Incarnate Word Academy Red Knights 28-10-1
The Red Knights finished 2nd 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.
Top Players
Tara Greenberry Tara Greenberry 6'3" | MB Incarnate Word | 2025 State #117 Nation MO – 2025 – 6’3” – Middle
450 kills and 91 blocks
Ellie Witthaus Ellie Witthaus 5'10" | OH Incarnate Word | 2025 State MO – 2025 – 5’10” – Outside
315 kills
Sammi Bergjans Sammi Bergjans 5'9" | S Incarnate Word Academy | 2024 State MO – 2024 – 5’9” – Setter
1113 asssits and 194 digs
Abby Freund Abby Freund 5'5" | DS/L Incarnate Word Academy | 2024 State MO -2024 – 5’4” – Libero
447 digs
Common Opponents:
Incarnate Word Results: Lutheran Results:
Cor Jesu won 3-0 Cor Jesu lost 0-2
Francis Howell won 3-0 Francis Howell lost 0-2
Nerinx Hall won 3-2 Nerinx Hall won 3-1
Summit won 2-0 Summit lost 1-3
St. Dominic lost 0-2 St. Dominic lost 1-3
Borgia lost 1-3 Borgia won 3-0
St. Joseph’s Academy lost 2-3 St. Joseph’s Academy loss 2-3
Westminster Christian won 3-0 Westminster Christian won 3-1
Lutheran St. Charles Cougars 24-15-2
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.
Top Players:
Maya Griggs Maya Griggs 5'9" | OH Lutheran St. Peters | 2024 State MO – 2024 – 5’10” – Outside
369 kills and 210 digs
Lacey Zumbehl – 2025 – 5’8” – Outside
223 kills and 105 digs
Sarah Sanderson Sarah Sanderson 5'8" | DS/L Lutheran Saint Charles | 2024 State MO – 2024 – 5’7” – Libero
433 digs
Katelyn Diani-O’Day – 2025 – 5’9” – Setter
103 kills, 260 digs, and 819 assists
Prediction: 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.
St. Pius X Lancers 22-6 vs. Parkway West Longhorns 23-10-3
St. Pius X Lancers 22-6
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.
Top Players:
Hannah Leftridge Hannah Leftridge 5'10" | OH St. Pius X (Festus) | 2025 State MO – 2025 – 5’9” – Outside
355 kills and 191 digs
Bennett Raterman Bennett Raterman 6'4" | MB St. Pius X (Festus) | 2026 State MO – 2026 – 6’4” – Middle
248 kills and 61 blocks
Anna Makowski – 2025 – 6’0” – Outside
182 kills and
Elena Ruble Elena Ruble 5'7" | S St. Pius X (Festus) | 2026 State MO – 2026 – 5’9” – Setter
112 digs and 810 assists
Common Opponents:
St. Pius X Results: Parkway West Results:
Eureka lost 0-3 Eureka lost 0-3
Incarnate Word Lost 0-3 Incarnate Word lost 0-2
Lutheran South won 3-0 Lutheran South won 2-0
Mehlville won 3-0 Mehlville won 2-0
MICDS won 2-0 MICDS won 2-0
Nerinx Hall 2-0 Nerinx Hall lost 0-3
Parkway West Longhorns 23-10-3
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.
Top Players:
Katie Byergo – 2026 – 6’5” – Middle
235 kills and 51 blocks
Erica Conger Erica Conger 5'10" | OH Parkway West | 2025 State MO – 2025 – 5’10” – Outside
295 kills
Sophia Licavoli – 2025 – 5’7” – Libero
501 digs
Maddy Bach Maddy Bach 5'9" | S Parkway West | 2025 State MO – 2025 – 5’8” – Setter
318 digs and 869 assists
Prediction: 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.