Class 5 Preseason Rankings 6-10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For nearly two decades, the Saint Louis area has dominated Class 5 volleyball, but this year could signal a shift in the title race. With an abundance of exceptional talent throughout the Class 5 field, teams will need to go on impressive win streaks to claim the championship. The Trojans, Bruins, Red Knights, Indians, and Tigers are all geared up for a thrilling season, poised to challenge the status quo in Missouri's largest class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. <strong>Park Hill Trojans 17-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A once-powerful team in the late 80s and early 90s, Park Hill is returning some key players and will look to fill some holes, but the outlook is bright. Led by 2028 kill leader <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='666872' first='Payton' last='Osegueda']</strong> with 215, and&nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490206' first='Ava' last='Daneff']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222074' first='Parker' last='Kimball'], Tessa Walker, Myer Cohara, [player_tooltip player_id='222072' first='Brooke' last='Brown']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357577' first='Addyson' last='Staples'],</strong> the Trojans have an experienced and hungry team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. <strong>Rock Bridge Bruins 22-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bruins have been one of the most consistent teams in the middle of Missouri over the last decade. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='542224' first='Isabella' last='Sohl']</strong> at setter, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237014' first='Maeve' last='Rush']</strong> on the outside, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809250' first='Terry' last='Schrock']</strong> as libero, the trio is a solid foundation. Newcomers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='526576' first='Kaya' last='Dercher']</strong> and 6'3” 2028s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='758466' first='Rylie' last='Bakker']</strong> and 6'0” <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='758464' first='Kinley' last='Blakeman']</strong> will help the Bruins out on the outside, middle, and opposite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. <strong>Incarnate Word Red Knights 27-11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>IWA played all year without their best player and still had an incredible season. The cupboards are&nbsp;not bare as three of the team's four big hitters return in middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475326' first='Bailey' last='Hensgens']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='846004' first='Molly' last='Stephens']</strong>, and outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245321' first='Cate' last='McCulloch']</strong> combined for 196 blocks and 614 kills. Defense has always been tops for the Red Knights, and with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475328' first='Audrey' last='Schaeffer']</strong> as the libero, the team has the defense locked up. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='712327' first='Alexis' last='Schmid']</strong> will once again run the 5-1 after finishing last year with 1215 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. <strong>Jackson Indians 33-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians seem always to win districts, but haven't gotten the monkey off their backs yet to make a trip to the final four. The kiddie corps of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='630748' first='Avery' last='Brune']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='729480' first='Lauren' last='Dorey']</strong> return for their sophomore year, bringing back 550 kills, 510 digs, and 706 assists. If they want to make the final four, they have to beat the Saint Louis schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. <strong>Ozark Tigers 38-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off a Class 5 runner-up finish, the Tigers return one of the top pins in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219778' first='Tara' last='Venable']. [player_tooltip player_id='828979' first='Adilynn' last='Rohrer']</strong> will move from the opposite to the middle, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438212' first='Alexis' last='Andela']</strong> could move into the different color jersey. The one certain thing: Ozark is primed and ready for another run, and a battle-tested schedule will help prepare for late October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->