Class 4 Districts 1-4 Preview: Can St. Pius X Defend Their Title?

As the defending state champions, St. Pius X has been my frontrunner to repeat all year long, and I anticipate they will have little trouble claiming the district title. However, in the unpredictable world of high school volleyball, surprises can happen. Here's a closer look at the Class 4 Districts 1-4 and what to expect as the competition heats up.   District 1   Hillsboro 21-5-3   Cape Central 20-11-3   Cape Notre Dame 18-11-3   West Plains 24-6-3   Perryville 10-17-2   Sikeston 11-14-1   Poplar Bluff 9-17-4   DeSoto 6-17-2   Predictions   Semifinals:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Semifinal 1: West Plains vs. DeSoto After the #8 seed DeSoto pulled off a surprising victory over Hillsboro, they now face West Plains in the semifinals. Surprisingly, West Plains received a fourth seed given their strong performances, though a loss to Notre Dame likely influenced that ranking. West Plains boasts a talented roster, while DeSoto will rely on [player_tooltip player_id='807850' first='Ashley' last='Theiss']. This match could go the distance, but I'm predicting the Zizzers will advance with a 3-1 victory.</li>   <li>Semifinal 2: Cape Central vs. Cape Notre Dame In this intense crosstown rivalry, Notre Dame previously defeated Cape Central 25-14, 25-23, 26-24, thanks to 18 kills from [player_tooltip player_id='512874' first='Olivia' last='Cox']. [player_tooltip player_id='569675' first='Sydney' last='Miller'] contributed 15 kills in the loss for Central. With more offensive weapons at their disposal, I expect Notre Dame to secure another sweep in this matchup.</li> </ul>   Finals: West Plains vs. Cape Notre Dame These two teams faced off in a tri-match at the end of September, where Notre Dame won 25-17, 18-25, 26-24, 25-21, led by 15 kills from [player_tooltip player_id='817665' first='Payton' last='Lynch'], while 16 kills from [player_tooltip player_id='459767' first='Mylea' last='Adams'] powered West Plains. Both teams feature exceptional setters in [player_tooltip player_id='217597' first='Lucy' last='Hafer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='232326' first='Claudia' last='Jones']. However, I foresee a different outcome this time, with the Zizzers emerging victorious in a 3-1 match.   District 2   St. Pius X 19-4   Summit 26-9-1   Windsor 21-7-2   Festus 20-10-2   Webster Groves 12-17-1   Affton 12-13-1   Confluence 8-10   Miller 5-6   Gateway 2-14   Predictions   Semifinals:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Semifinal 1: St. Pius X vs. Webster Groves St. Pius X breezed through their quarterfinal match without breaking a sweat, while Webster Groves had to fight hard for a 5-set victory over Festus. The Lancers boast four of the top players in Class 4: [player_tooltip player_id='221231' first='Elena' last='Ruble'], [player_tooltip player_id='801940' first='Harper' last='Gass'], [player_tooltip player_id='221230' first='Bennett' last='Raterman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='475322' first='Kate' last='Sherry']. I expect St. Pius X to secure a decisive sweep over Webster Groves.</li>   <li>Semifinal 2: Summit vs. Windsor In their previous encounter, Summit won convincingly, 25-22, 25-13, led by nine kills from [player_tooltip player_id='828251' first='Jayla' last='Williams'] and seven from [player_tooltip player_id='785187' first='Layla' last='Robinson']. [player_tooltip player_id='833329' first='Jordan' last='Rosvall'] and Shealee Mancuso contributed a combined 16 kills, forcing Windsor into 17 hitting errors. I predict Summit will take this match 3-1 to advance to the finals.</li> </ul>   Finals: St. Pius X vs. Summit In the championship match, I anticipate a standout performance from [player_tooltip player_id='221230' first='Bennett' last='Raterman'], alongside [player_tooltip player_id='475322' first='Kate' last='Sherry'], as St. Pius X secures a 3-0 sweep of Summit, keeping their hopes alive for a Class 4 repeat title.   District 3   Parkway Central 19-10-2   Clayton 13-10   Burroughs 14-7-1   Parkway North 14-7-1   Hazelwood East 22-10-1   McCluer 8-9-1   University City 10-17-3   McCluer North 9-12-1   Riverview Gardens 2-16   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Predictions</h3>   Semifinals:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Semifinal 1: Parkway Central vs. Parkway North Parkway Central already holds a 3-1 victory over Parkway North this season. With Taylor Jesse facilitating the offense and feeding the hot hands, I predict that Central will sweep North to advance to the title match.</li>   <li>Semifinal 2: Clayton vs. Burroughs In their previous encounter, Clayton achieved a convincing sweep over Burroughs. Clayton features a wealth of offensive talent, with 2029 Claire Booth, [player_tooltip player_id='845153' first='Annie' last='Beyer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='221168' first='Bela' last='Infante'] each contributing seven kills. If Burroughs can maintain their system and get adequate support from the middles, this could turn into a competitive match. However, Clayton's depth in offensive weapons will allow them to edge out a 3-2 victory over the Bombers.</li> </ul>   Finals: Parkway Central vs. Clayton The Colts have already swept the Greyhounds with scores of 25-13, 26-24, and 25-17, and that was without [player_tooltip player_id='485600' first='Madelyn' last='Schaefer'], who only played one set and still managed to contribute six kills. I expect Parkway Central to utilize their pins frequently, securing the district championship with another sweep of Clayton.   District 4   Borgia 21-12-2   Holt 17-3-3   Washington 18-14-1   Hannibal 24-9-1   Lutheran STC 11-18-1   St. Charles 8-14-3   Warrenton 10-19-2                                                                                                                            Ft. Zumwalt South 3-17-4   Ft. Zumwalt East 3-15-1   Predictions   Semifinals:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Semifinal 1: Borgia vs. Hannibal Borgia enters this match after a commanding quarterfinal sweep of Ft. Zumwalt South, while Hannibal secured a hard-fought five-set victory over Lutheran STC. Hannibal will provide a strong challenge, with Marissa Falconer and [player_tooltip player_id='835138' first='Lyla' last='Dorsey'] leading the charge on the pins; however, Borgia counters with the formidable duo of [player_tooltip player_id='797080' first='Mia' last='Klak'] and Emma Hurst. I predict Borgia will win this match in 4 sets.</li>   <li>Semifinal 2: Holt vs. Washington This matchup marks the first meeting between these two programs. Holt boasts an impressive record, fueled by the performances of [player_tooltip player_id='595336' first='Summer' last='Zelei'] and [player_tooltip player_id='485599' first='Lilly' last='McGrail']. Washington will look to counter with Mya Buhr and [player_tooltip player_id='828512' first='Brooke' last='Stellhorn']. I anticipate a tightly contested battle, with Holt ultimately prevailing in 5 sets.</li> </ul>   Finals: Borgia vs. Holt Borgia has faced a tough schedule, and a key common opponent to consider is Lutheran STC. Borgia swept Lutheran, while Holt had to go the distance, winning in 5 sets (15-11). With standout performances from [player_tooltip player_id='218556' first='Joanna' last='Gillen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='544669' first='Gabriella' last='Schwoeppe'], I predict Borgia will secure their first district title since 2020.

As the defending state champions, St. Pius X has been my frontrunner to repeat all year long, and I anticipate they will have little trouble claiming the district title. However, in the unpredictable world of high school volleyball, surprises can happen. Here's a closer look at the Class 4 Districts 1-4 and what to expect as the competition heats up.