Class 5 Quarterfinal Preview: A Battle for the Title

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 1: Cor Jesu Academy Chargers (22-8) vs. Lafayette Lancers (37-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Cor Jesu:</strong> The Chargers dominated their district, defeating Northwest and Lindbergh in straight sets before overcoming top-seeded Jackson 3-1.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Lafayette:</strong> The Lancers began their district campaign with a sweep of Parkway South, followed by a 3-1 victory over Ursuline and a commanding 3-0 win against Marquette in the finals.</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>Lafayette won the only matchup this year, with a decisive score of 25-16, 25-23, 25-16.</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>Lafayette went 12-0 against common opponents, while Cor Jesu finished with an 8-4 record.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Cor Jesu:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222069' first='Lauren' last='Ortwerth'] (2026):</strong> 380 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897283' first='Ally' last='Pasagic'] (2029):</strong> 178 kills, 93 blocks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='785182' first='Avery' last='Finney'] (2029):</strong> 352 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Lafayette:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475339' first='Shaye' last='Witherspoon'] (2027):</strong> 552 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800749' first='Addy' last='Wiese'] (2026):</strong> 508 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272167' first='Hailey' last='Lowery'] (2027):</strong> 593 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lafayette features the best player in the state, regardless of class, along with a Division 1 libero. Cor Jesu will rely on its strong hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='222069' first='Lauren' last='Ortwerth']. Experience could be a factor, as the Chargers may have up to four 2029 players on the court at once. Lafayette plays with speed and intensity, while Cor Jesu offers a more diverse offensive strategy. Until proven otherwise, Lafayette remains the team to beat and is expected to secure a 3-0 victory in the quarterfinal.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 2: Incarnate Word Academy Red Knights (23-14) vs. St. Dominic Crusaders (26-9)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Incarnate Word Academy (IWA):</strong> The Red Knights started their district run strong, sweeping Hazelwood West, winning 3-1 against Howell North in the semifinals, and defeating top-seeded Westminster Christian 3-1.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>St. Dominic:</strong> The Crusaders swept all their district opponents, starting with Fort Zumwalt North, followed by wins against Fort Zumwalt West and North Point.</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>St. Dominic won their previous meeting with scores of 25-18, 29-27, 25-22.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>IWA:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475326' first='Bailey' last='Hensgens'] (2027):</strong> 372 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245321' first='Cate' last='McCulloch'] (2026):</strong> 307 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475328' first='Audrey' last='Schaeffer'] (2027):</strong> 510 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>St. Dominic:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808062' first='Natalie' last='Frazier'] (2026):</strong> 351 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='843615' first='Maddy' last='Mannebach'] (2027):</strong> 260 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Charlotte Bland (2027):</strong> 730 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Despite St. Dominic's previous victory, this match promises to be one of the most exciting in the Class 4 quarterfinals. The Crusaders are an experienced team aiming for a return to the Final Four, while IWA boasts a talented young roster. Expect a thrilling contest, with St. Dominic likely emerging victorious in five sets.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->