Top Five Teams to Watch in Class 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school season is here and let's get it started with our top 5 teams to watch in Class 5 based on returning rosters. Every year some freshmen make an impact but we don't know them quite yet so we operate in the known information. Here are five teams we expect to be in the hunt in late October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lafayette</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending state champions will top our list of teams to watch in 2024. It's not because they are the defending state champions. It's because they return 902 kills. The real question this year is who will pick up the defensive output we saw from a trio of seniors who have departed. Also, who will feed the ball to the hitters now that Alyssa Nelson is gone? Any team with [player_tooltip player_id='153929' first='Maya' last='Witherspoon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='475339' first='Shaye' last='Witherspoon'] on the pins will be a factor. Look for Carly DeSarno, who earned minimal minutes last fall to increase her time in the setter position. [player_tooltip player_id='207267' first='Kira' last='Dufner'], a 6'1" middle will also be a player they will rely on for more offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Howell Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howell Central made a playoff run a year ago and they return enough key pieces to be in the mix this fall. They return three of their top five producers in the kill department. [player_tooltip player_id='153933' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] averaged over four kills per set to lead the way. Logan Rubel was just shy of 200 kills and will look to build on a good junior season. The offense is in good hands with junior [player_tooltip player_id='222580' first='Grace' last='Holtz'] back to set. She had over 900 assists as a sophomore and had a strong spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lee's Summit West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans had a final-four appearance last year and can duplicate those efforts come November. West went 27-10 a year ago and should return enough key pieces in key positions to do it again this fall. [player_tooltip player_id='493090' first='Kamryn' last='McDonald'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349614' first='Bella' last='Bishop'] both had over 250 kills. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='446328' first='Tori' last='Massengill'] had a good debut season and played well for KC [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] this club season. Both Taelyn Bowie and [player_tooltip player_id='219779' first='Delaney' last='Rhoden'] return and they combined for over a thousand assists last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ozark</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers went 29-6 a season ago, losing in the district final to final four participant Kickapoo. They lose dynamic pin Reagan Baade but the cupboard is not bare with a lot of fire[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] returning. Tera Venable had over 300 kills and is back for her junior season. [player_tooltip player_id='219783' first='Skylar' last='Hilton'] had 248 kills in her junior campaign and looks for a big year. First contact is a big deal and they are solid with the return of [player_tooltip player_id='208388' first='Macy' last='Humble'] back to lead the back row. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='237807' first='Reece' last='Cook'] tallied over a thousand assists and will run the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marquette</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the toughest contests Lafayette played in last season was a 3-2 battle against Marquette in the district final. If in the same district, only one team advances but Marquette is a team capable of knocking off the defending champs. They return seniors Jacey Young and [player_tooltip player_id='207269' first='Mallory' last='Sell'], who both went over the 200 kills mark a season ago. If you add in rising junior Teagan Pociius they have a solid trio of scorers. Ella Keevan is a good asset to have in the back row as she tallied over 300 digs last year. She was part of a two-setter offense last year, so we will see if she is a one-woman show or if they stick with 6-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->