Day 1 Top Performers

We had a day at the Show-Me Center for Class 4 and Class 5, featuring some heavyweight battles. We had five-setters in two semifinals and then back-and-forth action in the other two. No one walked in and had an easy time in the semifinals. You have some of the best talent in the state and the nation playing at this year's final four.   Class 4   [player_tooltip player_id='219756' first='Karlee' last='Riggs'] – 2025 – 6'0" – Outside – Platte County   Karlee and her Pirate teammates fought a massive fight against St. Pius, losing 18-25, 25-27, 25-22. Karlee led her team in kills with ten and added five digs. Karlee and company will get a shot at Lutheran in tomorrow's 3rd place match.   [player_tooltip player_id='475322' first='Kate' last='Sherry'] – 2027 – 5'11" – Middle – St. Pius X   This year's semifinal was Kate's time to shine, and she played an incredible match in the win over Platte County. Kate finished with a .650 hitting percentage with 13 kills on 20 attempts. She made key plays at crucial times that helped her team move on to the state championship match for the 2nd straight year.   [player_tooltip player_id='221230' first='Bennett' last='Raterman'] – 2026 – 6'4" – Middle – St. Pius X   Last year, the final four was about the Lancer's big outside hitters. In this semifinal, it was the middles who played monster matches. Bennett is an imposing player at the net, putting down ten kills and hitting .321. In the finals against Jefferson City, I expect her to take advantage of the height advantage and score at will.   [player_tooltip player_id='737531' first='Lacey' last='Zumbehl'] – 2025 – 5'10" – Outside – Lutheran St Charles   This is my first time watching Lacey thump the ball this season, and her improvement is on full display. In the 25-15, 16-25, 13-25, 26-24, 15-11 loss, Lacey finished with 18 kills and seven digs. Lacey is one heck of a player and left everything on the court. Tomorrow, she will be back out wanting to win 3rd place and knock off Platte County.   [player_tooltip player_id='477959' first='Aydia' last='Mayotte'] – 2025 – 5'6” – Libero – Jefferson City   I have nothing against the other liberos today in Class 4, but Aydia was all over the court. She's a player who understands her role as the libero and played a great game, helping her team reach the championship match. In the 5-set win over Lutheran, Aydia finished with 23 digs. She will need another 20+ dig performances to get a title.   Class 5   [player_tooltip player_id='153930' first='Abigail' last='Mullen'] – 2025 – 6'2" – Opposite – Liberty   Wow, she is so good. She can put the ball about anywhere on the court on any attempt. She is an imposing player, and I see why she is one of the top players in the nation. During the loss to Lafayette in the semifinals, she finished with 26 kills, 16 digs, and five blocks. A tremendous defender has a great serve, is powerful, and can hit any ball wherever it's set. I'm glad I can watch her play again before she finishes high school.   [player_tooltip player_id='153929' first='Maya' last='Witherspoon'] – 2025 – 6'0" – Outside – Lafayette   Boy Liberty had Lafayette's number all match, but Lafayette seemed to find ways to terminate at the end of each set. Lafayette slipped by Liberty 25-22, 25-27, 21-25, 25-17, 17-15 in the first semifinal. Maya finished the match with 30 kills on .303 hitting. Maya will play her last game tomorrow and wants to leave with her third straight state championship.   [player_tooltip player_id='261289' first='Ella' last='Anderson'] – 2026 – 5'0” – Libero – Liberty   She is tiny, but she is mighty. The dynamic defender was all over the court in the semifinals. She was taking passes and digging thunderous attacks from her opposition. Ella finished the game with 34 digs to lead all liberos for day 1.   [player_tooltip player_id='207268' first='Mackie' last='Mueller'] – 2025 – 6'0" – Middle – Lafayette   Sometimes, you get overlooked by those you play with, but Mackie played great for Lafayette in the middle tonight. She hit .353 with nine kills and four blocks. She gave the Lancers an option in the middle to score, came up with some big touches to keep the ball in play, and had timely kills. I expect another big match from her in the title match since she was out last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='219783' first='Skylar' last='Hilton'] – 2025 – 6'2" – Middle – Ozark   Skylar was a significant factor in her team sweeping past Howell as she tried to contain Howell's lethal opposite. She would finish the sweep by putting down 15 kills on .452 hitting. Her blocking came through with some big blocks and four blocks to lead her team to the state championship match.   [player_tooltip player_id='170047' first='Danielle' last='Moore'] – 2025 – 6'2" – Opposite – Francis Howell   Danielle is another player who can hit the ball anywhere on the court with enough velocity to make the defender mess up. Give her line, and she'll rip it line. Give her crosscourt, and she pounds it cross. If that doesn't work, she'll either hit it over you or through you. Danielle hit .233 with 23 kills in the semifinal loss, leading all attackers in the match.

We had a day at the Show-Me Center for Class 4 and Class 5, featuring some heavyweight battles. We had five-setters in two semifinals and then back-and-forth action in the other two. No one walked in and had an easy time in the semifinals. You have some of the best talent in the state and the nation playing at this year's final four.