Q’s Class 5 Quarterfinal Preview: 2 and 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have Class 5 quarterfinal action set for Saturday across the state. I will cover quarterfinals 2 and 3. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal 2</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blue Springs South vs. Kickapoo @ Blue Springs South</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Blue Springs South Key Players: Jaelyn Turney, [player_tooltip player_id='150052' first='Alexis' last='Anderson'], Abby Truong, Abby Boyd</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Kickapoo Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='124851' first='Bella' last='Faria'], Claire Doenning, Reagan Greenway, [player_tooltip player_id='342439' first='Kya' last='Johnson']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our second quarterfinal has Blue Springs South vs. Kickapoo with the winner to take on the victor of Jackson and Lafayette. Blue Springs South got here by going 9-0 in sets in district play. I had picked them to win their district but didn't expect it to go in such a dominant fashion. Kickapoo had one of the later starting districts, kicking off last Saturday. They swept their first match, before needing four to win the other two matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams have what we deem as a "go-to-player" offensively. Kickapoo has [player_tooltip player_id='124851' first='Bella' last='Faria'] and The Jaguars counter with Jaelyn Turney. Both players have over 300 kills this season and will not shy away from taking a big swing. I think the defenders will be the story in this contest as Kickapoo has been on another level defensively. Claire Doenning has been a factor at the net, sending back over 100 balls on the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In common opponents this season, Kickapoo sits at 6-1, with their lone defeat coming to Lafayette in three sets. Blue Springs South is 5-3, with two of those losses coming to Liberty North and one to Lafayette. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: Kickapoo has to go on the road for this contest. I think their depth and defense/passing will be the difference. They have been lights out in the serve/receive and expect that to carry over. Kickapoo over Blue Springs South.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal 3</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lee's Summit West vs. LIberty North @ Lee's Summit North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lee's Summit West Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='493090' first='Kamryn' last='McDonald'], [player_tooltip player_id='179749' first='Ava' last='Anderson'], [player_tooltip player_id='152824' first='Emily' last='Mathis'], [player_tooltip player_id='219779' first='Delaney' last='Rhoden'], [player_tooltip player_id='216020' first='Ryanne' last='Wattree']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty North: [player_tooltip player_id='119226' first='Carlie' last='Cisneros'], [player_tooltip player_id='219774' first='McKenna' last='Jacquin'], [player_tooltip player_id='152821' first='Lauren' last='Wright'], Sophia Derenzy, Mak Miller</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third quarterfinal match will be hosted by Lee's Summit West at Lee's Summit North due to scheduling conflicts at West. The host will take on Liberty North for a chance to take on the winner of Francis Howell and Francis Howell Central. Lee's Summit West had to fight it out in a grueling five-set battle over Lee's Summit to get to this match. Being down 2 sets to 1, they had to grab the next two, which obviously they did to get to his match. [player_tooltip player_id='349614' first='Bella' last='Bishop'] came through with a big night, finishing with 15 kills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty North traveled to St. Joseph to face rival Liberty in another district final. The anticipation for this match was big, considering the rivalry and an early season five-match thriller. In the latest edition, Liberty jumped out to early leads and watched North come storming back. After running away with the first set, Liberty let a second-set lead get away which changed the momentum for the match and North walked away with a sweep. [player_tooltip player_id='119226' first='Carlie' last='Cisneros'] had 13 kills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee's Summit West has put up a big block this season and will need that effort to slow down Cisneros and company. The way the Titans have been with the block, the Eagles have reflected that level of play in back-row defense and passing. I watched Liberty North live on Monday and their floor defense and the play of their two setters, Wright and Christian stood out, along with the play from Sophia Derenzy. The Titans have two setters who have been consistent in their play this year with Rhoden and Taelyn Bowie. They also have an array of options to work with in McDonald, Wattree, and Bishop. They have more options and won't rely as much on one player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though West won't rely on one player, the one player who gets the most swings for North is a difference maker and can carry a team on her back offensively and defensively. Liberty North has a roster of players who have tasted postseason success and that brings a more relaxed preparation in my opinion. With that said Liberty North again advances to the final four. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->