Pick to Click! Teams to Watch in Class 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are gearing up for an exciting high school season! There is no better way to get started than giving our not-so-expert opinion on teams to watch in Class 4. While teams return firepower, other teams add fresh faces to the roster. Either way, here are the teams to watch in Class 4. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Incarnate Word Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending state champs are among the top teams to watch entering the 2024 season. Gone are Sammi Bergjans and Sabrina Schoeberlein who played key roles. BUT back are the close to 900 combined kills between middle [player_tooltip player_id='169895' first='Tara' last='Greenberry'] and pin [player_tooltip player_id='169896' first='Ellie' last='Witthaus']. The setter position will be a question mark but if senior [player_tooltip player_id='244664' first='Ally' last='Fuchs'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='475328' first='Audrey' last='Schaeffer'] continue their strong play from a year ago, whoever steps into the role will have solid passing to feed two of the top attackers in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Pius (Festus)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Your state runner-up will be in the mix and return an experienced roster that only lost six matches a season ago. This squad will return 1052 of their team's 1100 kills last fall. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='168037' first='Hannah' last='Leftridge'] will look to have a big senior season after 399 kills in her junior campaign. They did lose some experience in the back row but will return a starter in the setter position with [player_tooltip player_id='221231' first='Elena' last='Ruble']. As a sophomore, she dished over 900 assists. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='475322' first='Kate' last='Sherry'] had a strong club season and will look to build on that this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jefferson City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jays were a team that made a splash a year ago and a little taste of success can do big things for a hungry team. After earning a trip to the final four, they return their top three attackers from a numbers perspective. [player_tooltip player_id='477951' first='Madilynn' last='Mitchell'] had 342 kills and [player_tooltip player_id='477954' first='Nola' last='Borgmeyer'] contributed 224. Mitchell was also one of the setters in their offensive system. With her attacking ability, the question will be who fills the second setter position. [player_tooltip player_id='477959' first='Aydia' last='Mayotte'] had over 100 assists as a junior but was also the team's dig leader with close to 600. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Parkway West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West captured a district title last year as the two seed and looks to return one of the deeper rosters in the class to chase a repeat. They will look to better their 21 wins from a year ago. The Longhorns return three players tallying over 200 kills led by the 308 of senior [player_tooltip player_id='456618' first='Erica' last='Conger']. Two juniors, Katie Byergo and Hannah Jennings will be impact players. The back row is in good hands with over 800 digs returning from Sophia Licavoli and [player_tooltip player_id='169899' first='Maddy' last='Bach']. Bach is also back as the setter and was good for just short of 900 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Helias Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They were paired with Jefferson City in districts last year and battled to a 3-2 defeat. They are primed for a breakthrough this season with weapons back in all positions. They have an experienced setter back with Avery Saucier, who shared in the setting duties. They lose weapons in the back row but look for Sophia Verslues to pick up some of the slack. There is no shortage of arms with [player_tooltip player_id='540282' first='Hannah' last='Hentges'] and her 300 kills back. Junior middle [player_tooltip player_id='357618' first='Claire' last='Carel'] had a breakout sophomore year with 215 kills and 61 blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->