Class 4 Quarterfinal Showdown: Battle for the Final Four Begins

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All season, I've maintained that <strong>St. Pius X</strong> will be the team to beat, and that sentiment remains unchanged until another Class 4 team takes them down. With a dynamic roster and strong playoff performances, they remain a formidable contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Plains</strong> is eager to return to the Final Four, a milestone they've been striving for after decades of waiting. Their determination and recent performances suggest they have what it takes to make a deep run this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In <strong>Quarterfinal 2</strong>, either <strong>Parkway Central</strong> or <strong>Hannibal</strong> will be looking to secure their first-ever trip to the Final Four. This match is particularly exciting as it represents a significant opportunity for both programs. One win, and they'll be among the last four teams still vying for the championship!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Points:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>St. Pius X</strong> remains the top contender in Class 4.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>West Plains</strong> seeks to end a long wait for a Final Four appearance.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Parkway Central</strong> and <strong>Hannibal</strong> both have the chance to make history with a win in their quarterfinal matchup.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's an exhilarating time in the tournament, and the stakes have never been higher!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 1: West Plains Zizzers (27-6-3) vs. St. Pius X (24-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Plains:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Zizzers entered the district tournament as the underestimated fourth seed but proved their worth by winning it all. They achieved victories with a 3-0 win over Perryville, a 3-1 win against DeSoto, and a championship match redemption, sweeping Cape Notre Dame to avenge an earlier loss.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Pius X:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Riding high on momentum, the defending Class 4 champions have been dominant, winning 13 of their last 14 matches. They swept through their district, defeating Miller Career Academy, Festus, and Rockwood Summit in the championship match.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head to Head:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>No previous matchups.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Cape Notre Dame:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>West Plains: Defeated Cape Notre Dame 3-0, lost 1-3.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Pius X: Defeated Cape Notre Dame 25-10, 25-16, 25-23.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Plains:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217597' first='Lucy' last='Hafer'] (2026)</strong>: 2600+ career assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459767' first='Mylea' last='Adams'] (2026)</strong>: 1000 career kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834805' first='Libby' last='Welch'] (2026)</strong>: 700+ career digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Pius X:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475322' first='Kate' last='Sherry'] (2027)</strong>: 900 career kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221230' first='Bennett' last='Raterman'] (2026)</strong>: 1489 career kills, 291 blocks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221231' first='Elena' last='Ruble'] (2026)</strong>: 3951 career assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801940' first='Harper' last='Gass'] (2026)</strong>: 560 career digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Plains was undoubtedly not deserving of their four seed, as they've shown their true capabilities by dropping only one set while enduring four-hour round-trip travel for each match. On the other hand, St. Pius X has been a consistent top performer all season, boasting two Division 1 players and the best setter in school history, along with an outstanding libero. Given their playoff performances, St. Pius X is expected to have little trouble with the Zizzers and should win in a decisive sweep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 2: Parkway Central Colts (23-11-2) vs. Hannibal Pirates (27-9-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Parkway Central:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Colts demonstrated their strength in the district tournament by sweeping both McCluer North and Parkway North, then defeating Burroughs 3-1 in the championship match.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hannibal:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>As the fourth seed, the Pirates made a remarkable run by winning 3-1 against Lutheran STC, pulling off an upset against top-seeded Borgia with a 3-2 victory, and finishing strong with a 3-1 win over Holt for the district title.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head to Head:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>No previous matchups.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Westminster Christian:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Parkway Central: 2-1 win and a 1-3 loss.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hannibal: Lost 0-2.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Parkway Central:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485600' first='Madelyn' last='Schaefer'] (2027)</strong>: 538 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Taylor Jesse (2026)</strong>: 882 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827697' first='Riley' last='Fogarty'] (2026)</strong>: 428 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hannibal:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897186' first='Marissa' last='Falconer'] (2028)</strong>: 411 kills and 347 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835138' first='Lyla' last='Dorsey'] (2028)</strong>: 268 digs and 352 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897206' first='Tessa' last='Janes'] (2029)</strong>: 230 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams excel in their outside hitting, making this matchup critical for middle production to keep the pins open. They both possess solid defensive skills, skilled setters, and excellent passing abilities. The key will be how effectively Parkway Central can get its top hitter involved early to pressure Hannibal's defense. Conversely, Hannibal features two of the top young pin hitters in the game. This match is anticipated to be closely contested and is likely to go the distance, with Hannibal edging out a 3-2 victory, paving the way for their first Final Four appearance in school history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->