Q’s 4A State Preview: Is this the year?
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Is this the year Bishop Miege goes down? The argument is the same every year…Why is Miege in class 4A? They play in a tough conference. They play some of the best teams in Kansas City. They hover around .500.…
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Continue ReadingIs this the year Bishop Miege goes down? The argument is the same every year…Why is Miege in class 4A? They play in a tough conference. They play some of the best teams in Kansas City. They hover around .500. They then get to state and run through the tournament. But this year may be different. The field may be as close as it’s been in some time. Who will walk away state champion?
Pool 1: Clearwater, Eudora, Andale, Bishop Miege
Pool 2: Towanda Circle, McPherson, Louisburg, Holton
Pool 1
Clearwater (35-3)
Key Players: Kenzy Mcartor, Madison Williams Madison Williams 5'7" | OH Clearwater | 2025 State KS , Justine Berlin Justine Berlin 5'11" | MB Clearwater | 2026 State KS , Autumn Chmieleski, Kaylee Hampton Kaylee Hampton 5'9" | RS Clearwater | 2025 State KS
Clearwater is coming in as the top overall seed with 35 wins this fall and riding a 10-match win streak. They own wins over other qualifiers Andale, Circle, and McPherson. They also are the only team to beat the top seed in 5A Andover Central this year. Kenzy Mcartor is averaging 4.4 kills per set on the year and Kaylee Hampton Kaylee Hampton 5'9" | RS Clearwater | 2025 State KS may hit 1,000 assists in a season this year. They are a strong front-line team with Justine Berlin Justine Berlin 5'11" | MB Clearwater | 2026 State KS and Allison Clevenger putting up a big block.
Eudora (23-8)
Key Players: Rayah Foltz Rayah Foltz 5'9" | OH Eudora | 2024 State KS , Adalyn Hemphill Adalyn Hemphill 5'7" | OH Eudora | 2025 State KS , Madison Karten, Indigo Pruitt, Parker Long Parker Long 5'6" | DS/L Eudora | 2024 State KS , Ellie Suber Ellie Suber 5'10" | S Eudora | 2024 State KS , Harper Andrews
Eudora has an 11-match win streak of their own entering the state tournament. Their bigs in the middle come in with 56, 56, and 52 blocks collectively, making it difficult for opponents to score. Speaking of scoring, Foltz is averaging over 4 kills per set. They own a win over qualifier Louisburg earlier in the season.
Andale (27-10)
Key Players: Hayden Grimes Hayden Grimes 5'9" | OH Andale | 2026 State KS , Grace Rowland Grace Rowland 5'8" | OH Andale | 2024 State KS , Eva Preister, Taya Orth Taya Orth 5'4" | S Andale | 2025 State KS , Abbi Winter
Andale was on the brink of a state title a year ago and is back in 2023. They own multiple wins over McPherson and also beat Andale this year but hold losses to top seed Clearwater. There are some new faces this year that made major contributions this year. Grace Rowland Grace Rowland 5'8" | OH Andale | 2024 State KS has been strong offensively and defensively, averaging close to 4 kills per set, while adding 173 digs and 469 receptions in serve/receive. Hayden Grimes Hayden Grimes 5'9" | OH Andale | 2026 State KS also has been stellar with 4 kills and 4 digs per set.
Bishop Miege (19-17)
Key Players: Lauren Lopez Lauren Lopez 5'10" | OH Bishop Miege | 2025 State KS , Ava Martin Ava Martin 5'10" | S Bishop Miege | 2024 State #77 Nation KS , Georgia Lemay, Gabby Anderson Gabby Anderson 5'6" | DS/L Bishop Miege | 2024 State KS , Trinnit Stevens, Maryn Dean Maryn Dean 5'9" | S Bishop Miege | 2027 State KS
I’ve said much about Miege above but didn’t mention they start their year losing nine straight. One of the keys in the past has been the middle play in this program. New faces this year have been something to keep an eye on. Stevens expanded her play there this fall with over 100 kills and blocks on the year. Georgia Lemay has been solid this year. Lauren Lopez Lauren Lopez 5'10" | OH Bishop Miege | 2025 State KS was all-state a year ago and has led the offense in kills and Ava Martin Ava Martin 5'10" | S Bishop Miege | 2024 State #77 Nation KS and Maryn Dean Maryn Dean 5'9" | S Bishop Miege | 2027 State KS are running the team well from the setter position.
Advancing: Clearwater and Bishop Miege
Pool 2
Towanda Circle (33-5)
Key Players: Jacqueline Corcoran Jacqueline Corcoran 5'10" | OH Circle | 2024 State KS , Mia Fox Mia Fox 6'2" | MB Circle | 2024 State KS , Katelyn Paul Katelyn Paul 5'9" | OH Circle | 2025 State KS , Brianna Paul Brianna Paul 5'3" | DS/L Circle | 2027 State KS , Reagan Smith Reagan Smith 5'4" | S Circle | 2024 State KS
Circle comes in winners of 16 of their last 17 matches and is the second seed overall. They have a couple of players who can fill up the stat sheet offensively in Corocoan and Fox. Smith is closing in on 900 assists on the year and will push towards 1,000 this weekend. They have split matches with McPherson this year, who they will see in pool play.
McPherson (29-9)
Key Players: Addison Chapman Addison Chapman 5'6" | OH McPherson | 2025 State KS , Haely Hagemann, Jaela Thompson Jaela Thompson MB McPherson | 2027 KS , Alex Romero Alex Romero 5'6" | S McPherson | 2024 State KS
McPherson enters the state tournament with wins over Circle and Andale. They also beat 6A qualifier Garden City. They don’t post stats so we are unable to touch on key numbers for this year.
Louisburg (24-14)
Key Players: Madelyn Williams Madelyn Williams 5'7" | OH Louisburg | 2024 State KS , Hailey Sword, Megan Quinn, Adelyn Moore Adelyn Moore 5'5" | S Louisburg | 2027 State KS
The Wildcats come in winners of 4 straight and 9 of their last 10. The two-setter system has worked for them this year with Megan Quinn and Adelyn Moore Adelyn Moore 5'5" | S Louisburg | 2027 State KS both touching 400 assists this year. The primary beneficiaries of those balls have been Williams and Sword with short of 600 kills combined.
Holton (25-15)
Key Players: Renn Deters, Tinley Wilson Tinley Wilson 5'10" | OH Holton | 2027 State KS , Elizabeth Schuster Elizabeth Schuster 6'0" | MB Holton | 2025 State KS , Cora Miller Cora Miller 5'6" | DS/L Holton | 2024 State KS , Katie Etzel, Lorna Smith
Holton will be the 7th-seed when play kicks off this weekend. They went through a tough spell winding down September but rebounded for a strong October. They are one of the more balanced teams offensively with three players averaging close to 3 kills per set, with Deters leading the team at 3.4. Schuster has been a monster at the net with 68 blocks.
Advancing: Towanda and McPherson
Semifinals
Clearwater vs. McPherson
I think Clearwater upends MIege in pool play and gets McPherson in the semis. Their previous match this year went three sets with Clearwater getting the win. I like Clearwater to win the rematch.
Bishop MIege vs. Towanda-Circle
I know it’s easy to look at the records but Miege is known to be tournament-ready. They have a couple of players who have played well in the big state. On the other hand, Circle has a host of really good players who are ready for the challenge. I’m due for an upset pick and though on paper, it’s not, Towanda over Miege.
Championship
Clearwater vs. Towanda-Circle
We will go with Clearwater to grab a state title
3rd Place
Miege over McPherson.