Class 4 – Players to Watch

Ryan Johnson November 4, 2024 @ 06:35 PM

The State Championships are here, and Class 4 has a great mix of top-level players from all four teams. Here is my list of players I'm excited to watch at this year's final four.     [player_tooltip player_id='475315' first='Anne' last='Makowski'] – 2025 – 6'0" – Outside – St. Pius X   Anne saved her best matches for last year's final four. The big-time hitting outside only plays across the net but makes her time on the court worthwhile for her team. If Anne plays like she did at the final four last year, the Lancers will be hard to beat.   [player_tooltip player_id='168037' first='Hannah' last='Leftridge'] – 2025 – 5'10" – Outside – St. Pius X   Another outside on the list for the Lancers is a tenacious defender who leads by example. Tough and gritty player with defense and passes like a next-level libero. She is big enough with power and can attack from anywhere on the court. She gives her team a terminator on the left pin who can play outstanding defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='221230' first='Bennett' last='Raterman'] – 2026 – 6'4" – Middle – St. Pius X   No one will be taller than Bennett in the final four, and no middle will be as hard to stop as Bennett. She's tall with a huge wingspan and moves to the pins quickly. She changes how players hit and alter the game so much more than being a tall athlete. She's terrific and will need a much better performance this weekend than last year. She can take over a match, which needs to be her mindset this week.   [player_tooltip player_id='168046' first='Katelyn' last='Diani-O'Day'] – 2025 – 5'10” – Setter – Lutheran   Katelyn will leave Lutheran as the school's most outstanding setter. Volleyball is in her blood, and she spent countless hours in a gym before she could even play. Katelyn sits with 3497 career assists and will pass the 3500 mark quickly in the semifinals.   [player_tooltip player_id='737531' first='Lacey' last='Zumbehl'] – 2025 – 5'8" – Outside – Lutheran   Lacey has almost doubled her kill total from last season and is a driving force behind her team's final four-run. Since the playoffs have started, she's been averaging 18 kills per match. Lacey has a heavy swing and must have this big-time production to keep Lutheran winning.   [player_tooltip player_id='477951' first='Madilynn' last='Mitchell'] – 2025 – 5'10" – Setter – Jefferson City   At last year's final four, Madilynn was one of my favorite players to watch hit. A fearless attacker on the right side could step in and set any ball. She runs a great offense this season, but her hitting was impressive. She's one of those players you wish was on your team.   [player_tooltip player_id='477959' first='Aydia' last='Mayotte'] – 2025 – 5'6” – Libero – Jefferson City   She will probably be one of the better liberos this year's final four. Last season, she was on her game in the semifinals and was a big-time defender. This season, she has a little more help back there but is still a court-hogging libero who knows the duties of a libero and does them at a high level.   [player_tooltip player_id='219756' first='Karlee' last='Riggs'] – 2025 – 5'10 – Outside – Platte County   Karlee was impressive as a member of the Pirates' final four-team two seasons ago. She led her team with 16 kills to help them win the third-place match over Webb City. Karlee must play a monster match in the semifinals, and the potential for her to do this is there.

The State Championships are here, and Class 4 has a great mix of top-level players from all four teams. Here is my list of players I'm excited to watch at this year's final four.