Class 4 Title Contenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's where it starts getting tricky, with the success factor coming into play more as teams move up or down depending on past success, which I find silly—class 4 returns many big-time players from the final four teams and teams with traditionally rich programs. St. Pius is my pick for a preseason favorite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Pius X (Festus) 24-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 4 runner-up should stay in Class 4 one more year but will move up after making a return trip to the final four. On the left pin, two big bombers<strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='475315' first='Anne' last='Makowski']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='168037' first='Hannah' last='Leftridge'],</strong> returned for the Lancers. Then add in 6'4" middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221230' first='Bennett' last='Raterman']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221231' first='Elena' last='Ruble']</strong> and her career 1770 assists, which make them challenging. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475322' first='Kate' last='Sherry']</strong> returns after a fantastic freshman campaign and could slide to the left and play middle or hit opposite again. The only thing is for the team to find replacements for the three defenders lost to graduation. A state title will be within reach if they can do that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jefferson City 25-10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Jays were close to playing for the final four but had to settle for third. The three kill leaders return in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='477954' first='Nola' last='Borgmeyer']</strong>, <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/madilynn-mitchell/">[player_tooltip player_id='477951' first='Madilynn' last='Mitchell']</a> , and <strong>Lydia Gudde</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='477959' first='Aydia' last='Mayotte']</strong> will keep the defense locked down. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475325' first='Leah' last='Heisler']</strong> played a fantastic final four last season and should be on the left pin. JC has what it takes to make a run at a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Parkway West 21-11-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PW brings back a wealth of offense and is one of the top setters in Class 4. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='169899' first='Maddy' last='Bach']</strong> will feed her big hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='456618' first='Erica' last='Conger'], </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222058' first='Katherine' last='Byergo'], a 6'5" middle, and <strong>Hannah Jennings</strong> and <strong>Gabbie Kerber</strong>. With the play last season of <strong>Sophia Licavoli</strong> at libero, the Longhorns are a stacked team with a ton of experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Springfield Catholic 21-11-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490109' first='Millie' last='Bauer']</strong> headlines this program as she is a Mizzou commit and one tough player. <strong>Tori Majorahn</strong> is on the outside, along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485510' first='Kennedy' last='Hartman']</strong> as libero, and the team's core is set up nicely. Plus, with the graduation of opponents players, this could be a good season for the Fighting Irish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Helias 22-10-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four of the top hitters are returning for the Crusaders. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='540282' first='Hannah' last='Hentges'], [player_tooltip player_id='357618' first='Claire' last='Carel'], Kendal Herzing</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357623' first='Kambell' last='Winegar']</strong> return to pace the offense. The biggest obstacles will be replacing the star libero and one of the setters, or <strong>Avery Saucier</strong> will run the 5-1. Helias doesn't rebuild but retools, and this year will be no different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->