Q’s Class 4 Quarterfinal Preview: 2 and 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will continue my Quarterfinal preview looking at matches 2 and 3 as labeled in the bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal 2</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jefferson City vs. Webb City @ Jefferson City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Jefferson City Key players: Madilynn Mitchell, [player_tooltip player_id='477954' first='Nola' last='Borgmeyer'], [player_tooltip player_id='477959' first='Aydia' last='Mayotte'], [player_tooltip player_id='150051' first='Hannah' last='Vogt']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Webb City Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='236997' first='Jaeli' last='Rutledge'], [player_tooltip player_id='227349' first='Aubree' last='Lassiter'], [player_tooltip player_id='172447' first='Sophia' last='Crane'], [player_tooltip player_id='222067' first='Savannah' last='Crane']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We were one for two in which two teams would face off here. We picked Jefferson City to win their district on their home floor, which they did. We didn't pick Webb City and they proved me wrong, capturing their district in a four-set win. The Jays will come in winning seven in a row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jefferson City has gotten tremendous play from Mayotte in the back row. Anything within her reach is going to be an up and her team will have a chance to score off of it. Vogt has proven through the years she is as dependable as they come from the setter position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webb City has two players averaging over 3 kills per set, so expect setter [player_tooltip player_id='222067' first='Savannah' last='Crane'] to try to get as many touches as possible to Rutledge and Lassiter. The Cardinals have shown to be very aggressive behind the service line with over 300 aces this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When looking at common opponents, they both have losses to the same teams in Ozark and Nixa. It should be a match that should be a good one. They are separated by ten kills so the defense takes center stage. Jefferson City has more in this area but I like the two-headed monster in Rutledge and Lassiter a little more and pick Webb City to advance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal 3</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Michael the Archangel vs. Platte County @ St. Michael</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>St. Michael Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='124853' first='Mikalah' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='124855' first='Lily' last='Vanbebber'], [player_tooltip player_id='396499' first='Kinley' last='Gillihan'], [player_tooltip player_id='493102' first='Katie' last='Vargo']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Platte County Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='216466' first='Kendall' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='219756' first='Karlee' last='Riggs'], Tatianna Murray, Jenna Wheeler, Ava Wheeler</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The good thing is I covered this match, I saw both teams during their district run, St. Michael's in their semifinal win and Platte in both their semifinal and championship matches. This is going to be an exciting match-up and a redo of a match last year at Platte County. While it's possible St. Michael's has the most explosive player in Davis, Platte County has more offensive weapons in Riggs, Johnson, and Murray. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Guardians have won 14 straight matches entering this contest and hold the win in an early season faceoff. [player_tooltip player_id='124855' first='Lily' last='Vanbebber'] looks to always be in control running the offense and does a good job of finding her hitters in rhythm. Davis has been electric as of late, with many high double-digit kill performances. [player_tooltip player_id='493102' first='Katie' last='Vargo'] really opened my eyes in their win over Pembroke Hill in the district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Platte County has 11 straight wins to their credit. They can score all along the front row with three dynamic pins. Ava Wheeler has been steady in the setter position. One of the biggest moves made on their roster that's proved to provide big dividends was the move of Murray to the right pin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a match I wish I was going to be at in person. It feels like St. Michael's is on the brink of breaking through but Platte County has been there with many of these same players. The defense I saw from them in their win over St. Pius was top notch and I expect that defense to carry them back to the final four. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->