Class 4 Preseason Rankings 1-5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4 welcomes back the defending state champion, St. Pius X Lancers, who retain their top spot with a strong roster returning for another title run. This season presents a promising opportunity for familiar teams like St. Michael, West Plains, and Marshfield to end their absences from the final four, while Belton aims to make history by securing the school's first trip to the semifinals. Regardless of which teams emerge, Class 4 is set to deliver an exhilarating season filled with intense competition and high-stakes matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. West Plains Zizzers 27-12-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Zizzers are coming off a fantastic season and return all but two players from last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217597' first='Lucy' last='Hafer']</strong> returns to run the offense and will add to her 1818 career assists total. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='676737' first='Violet' last='Hafer'], [player_tooltip player_id='459767' first='Mylea' last='Adams']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='709436' first='Ella' last='Orr']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='811166' first='Ashlyn' last='Tinsley']</strong> will carry the offense. Must replace the team's top two dig leaders if the Zizzers want to make some noise this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Marshfield Blue Jays 31-6-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All but one starter returns for the Bluejays,&nbsp;and the hitting corps returns with 1290 kills. The team is senior-laden, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725291' first='Quinn' last='Aldridge']</strong>&nbsp;and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735547' first='Gracelyn' last='Bull']</strong>, the setter/outside combo. Also making their marks will be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='819910' first='Tilly' last='Greenfield'], [player_tooltip player_id='791177' first='Afton' last='Houston']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845779' first='Kinleigh' last='Mings']</strong>. Libero replacement will be essential for Marshfield's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. St. Michael Guardians 22-4-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232325' first='Addi' last='MacLean']</strong> returns for her final season with the Guardians and brings back her 2731 career assists. She still has some big hitters to feed in the&nbsp;middle: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='396499' first='Kinley' last='Gillihan']</strong>, 234 kills; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732904' first='Jordan' last='Redd']</strong>, 226 kills; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='542207' first='Grace' last='Lowry']</strong>, 221 kills; and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800602' first='Molly' last='Bokenkroger']</strong>, who should move into the libero position—plenty of returns and high hopes of returning to the final four after a year's absence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Belton Pirates 33-4-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belton started the season out 20-0-1 before suffering a loss to Webb City. The Pirates return a trio of talented hitters in middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261314' first='Phoenix' last='Fogel']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809541' first='Bella' last='Scherfenberg']</strong>, and outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831489' first='Dreya' last='Scherfenberg']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='774871' first='Lydia' last='Krabiel']</strong> should slide into the 5-1 setter position. This team is talented and ready to break the final-four hex.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. St. Pius X (Festus) Lancers 37-2-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lancers are returning some highly talented players, headlined by Florida State recruit 6'4”<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='221230' first='Bennett' last='Raterman'], </strong>who had 433 kills and 90 blocks, helping win the state title. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475322' first='Kate' last='Sherry'],</strong> a versatile player who can play anywhere at the net, finished with 283 kills. Four-year starter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221231' first='Elena' last='Ruble']</strong> and her career 3031 assists run the show. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801940' first='Harper' last='Gass']</strong> will guide the defense, which was locked down tight last year. Not sure there's a team in Class 4 that can stop <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221230' first='Bennett' last='Raterman']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475322' first='Kate' last='Sherry']</strong>, but filling the huge gaps on offense lost to graduation could prevent a repeat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->