Class 4 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the Class 4 volleyball season heats up, the competition intensifies among the top teams. This week's rankings highlight the standout performances and upcoming challenges that could shift the landscape of Class 4 volleyball. Let's dive into the latest standings and key matchups that will shape the remainder of the season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. <strong>St. Pius X Lancers 13-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lancers have faced tough competition, suffering losses to Class 5 teams: Jackson, Nixa, Lee's Summit West, and Ursuline Academy. They remain at the top of Class 4 until another Class 4 team can challenge their dominance. [player_tooltip player_id='475322' first='Kate' last='Sherry'] has been on a killing spree lately, but with nine Class 5 opponents still on the schedule, the road ahead looks challenging.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. <strong>Belton Pirates 11-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pirates experienced a setback against Grain Valley but managed to avenge that loss with a sweep. Additional defeats came from Class 5 teams Ray-Pec and Fort Osage. Notably, they secured a significant victory over the&nbsp;ranked Class 5 team, Park Hill South. Upcoming matches against Grain Valley and Platte County will be crucial in determining Belton's ranking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. <strong>St. Michael Guardians 9-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Guardians have suffered no detrimental losses so far, with three defeats to highly ranked teams: Hayden Catholic, St. James Academy, and St. Thomas Aquinas of Kansas, along with a loss to #1 St. Pius X. [player_tooltip player_id='796383' first='Lucy' last='Bokenkroger'] is having an outstanding season, boasting a hitting percentage of .339. They have a match against Notre Dame de Sion coming up next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. <strong>West Plains Zizzers 10-3-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Zizzers' three losses have come against teams with a combined record of 34-3-6. They successfully avenged a previous loss to Camdenton with a decisive 3-0 sweep. West Plains has also secured victories against Marshfield, solidifying its position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. <strong>Camdenton Lakers 9-2-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lakers have only fallen to Helias and West Plains this season. An upcoming match with district implications against Jefferson City is on the horizon. Key players Madison Sykora, Macy Mellencamp, and [player_tooltip player_id='232324' first='Bella' last='Asante'] are steering the Lakers toward success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. <strong>Marshfield Blue Jays 14-3-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite high expectations due to the return of players, Marshfield's split with New Covenant Academy is puzzling. Their losses include tight matches against West Plains 1-2, Strafford 1-3, and Helias 0-2. They have a vital rematch against West Plains on October 7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. <strong>Smithville Warriors 7-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors have lost to two formidable teams, Park Hill and Lee's Summit North, who have a combined record of 21-2, both from Class 5. The remaining schedule appears favorable, with [player_tooltip player_id='568866' first='Jaycee' last='Tyrrell'] leading the team in kills with 75.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. <strong>Pacific Indians 9-4-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a youthful and talented roster, the Indians recently experienced a four-game losing streak that served as a wake-up call. Significant contributions are coming from 2029 players Kaitlyn Bonds, Caroline Payne, and Remi Brundick, indicating a bright future for the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. <strong>Hannibal Pirates 6-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Hannibal's schedule hasn't been particularly tough, they did achieve a commendable 3-1 victory over a solid Holt team. The St. Charles Tournament this weekend will provide a clearer picture of their potential. They are led in kills by 2028 prospects [player_tooltip player_id='835138' first='Lyla' last='Dorsey'] and Marissa Falconer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. <strong>Festus Tigers 10-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers' losses include a nail-biter against #1 Class 2 Valle Catholic and a 1-3 match against Windsor. Key players [player_tooltip player_id='809856' first='Rylee' last='Lawrence'], [player_tooltip player_id='827231' first='Maggie' last='Geiler'], and [player_tooltip player_id='827033' first='Leah' last='Reece'] are making a strong impact, while [player_tooltip player_id='222581' first='Jessie' last='Hawkins'] consistently keeps the ball in play. The Tigers are set to compete in the Seckman Tournament this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->