Class 4 Volleyball: Top Contenders for Next Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4 volleyball is known for its unpredictability, especially as teams shift between classes each season. With the championship factor in play, next season is poised to be wide open. Can the St. Michael Guardians defend their title? Will the Hannibal Pirates or Rockwood Summit Falcons maintain their momentum? Or could teams like Webb City and Pembroke Hill emerge as serious contenders? Regardless of the outcome, Class 4 promises to showcase exceptional talent from all corners of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>St. Michael Guardians (32-7)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>As the defending Class 4 champions, St. Michael is poised to make a strong run for a repeat, although they may move up to Class 5 depending on the championship factor.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Guardians will return their top two hitters, [player_tooltip player_id='732904' first='Jordan' last='Redd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='396499' first='Kinley' last='Gillihan'], along with standout libero [player_tooltip player_id='446327' first='Molly' last='Bokenkroger'].</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The key to their success will be finding replacements for their best setter, a middle hitter, and a pin hitter, but if they can do so, a repeat title is well within reach.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Hannibal Pirates (29-10-1)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>After an impressive third-place finish this season, Hannibal is ready to build on their success.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>While they will lose a double-double machine at setter/opposite, the Pirates return a wealth of talent, including 1,262 kills and 1,406 digs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning players such as setter [player_tooltip player_id='829347' first='Aly' last='Falconer'], and 2028 talents [player_tooltip player_id='835138' first='Lyla' last='Dorsey'], [player_tooltip player_id='897186' first='Marissa' last='Falconer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='811898' first='Brooke' last='Hess'], along with 2027's <strong>Ryann Borden</strong> and 2029's [player_tooltip player_id='897206' first='Tessa' last='Janes'], provide a solid foundation for another deep postseason run.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Rockwood Summit Falcons (28-10-1)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Coming off the program's best season, the Falcons are eager to continue their upward trajectory.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Key returning players include middle hitters [player_tooltip player_id='545001' first='Zoey' last='Zweifel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='828251' first='Jayla' last='Williams'], outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='785187' first='Layla' last='Robinson'] (2029), and setter Delaney Pye.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>While they will need to replace their graduating libero, [player_tooltip player_id='545009' first='Morgan' last='Pyles'], [player_tooltip player_id='897424' first='Mackenzie' last='Pancer'], and others are set to help fill the defensive void, ensuring a competitive roster for next season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Webb City Cardinals (25-12)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Cardinals face some challenges as they prepare for next season, needing to replace their top digger, middle hitter, and big-time setter.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>However, they return talented triplet sisters [player_tooltip player_id='810201' first='Adalyn' last='Maxwell'], [player_tooltip player_id='814654' first='Kaelyn' last='Maxwell'], and [player_tooltip player_id='814453' first='Jocelyn' last='Maxwell'], along with pin hitter Jaylee Van Becelaere, who contributed 776 kills.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>If Webb City can secure a solid first and second-contact replacement, it has a strong chance of making a return trip to the Final Four.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Pembroke Hill Raiders (21-7-4)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Raiders are set to return key players, including 6'3" pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='524854' first='Elizabeth' last='Weaver'] with her 413 kills, libero [player_tooltip player_id='516219' first='Lochlar' last='O'Bleness'], and setter [player_tooltip player_id='729560' first='Isabel' last='Janes'].</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Middle hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840332' first='Gabby' last='Winn']</strong> and <strong>Caroline Pope</strong> will also play crucial roles.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>To reach the Final Four, Pembroke Hill will likely need to overcome St. Michael, and their strong core of first- and second-ball contacts will be essential to their success.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->