Class 5 Championship and 3rd Place Recap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 5 volleyball season has come to a thrilling conclusion, with Lafayette repeating as state champions, capturing their <strong>10th overall title</strong>. Nixa, Lee's Summit North, and Incarnate Word Academy (IWA) also made impressive showings at the final four, rounding out a fantastic season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3rd Place Match Recap: Nixa </strong>vs. Incarnate Word Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After disappointing semifinal losses, both Nixa and IWA faced off in the 3rd-place match, with Nixa delivering a dominant performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Final Score:</strong> Nixa won 25-21, 25-17, 25-18.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>IWA Performers:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245321' first='Cate' last='McCulloch']:</strong> Led the team with 12 kills on .440 hitting.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='775966' first='Erin' last='Donald'] (2029, 6'2” Middle):</strong> Contributed 8 kills on .333 hitting.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Nixa Standouts:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839111' first='Taylor' last='Wood']:</strong> Achieved a triple-double with 15 kills, 21 assists, and 10 digs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490209' first='Gwen' last='Kubik']:</strong> Added 12 kills.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='791106' first='Addy' last='Bybee']:</strong> Contributed 6 kills.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Kora Kubik:</strong> Also added 6 kills.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nixa finished the season on a high note, becoming one of only two teams to end with a victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Championship Match Recap: Lafayette </strong>vs. Lee's Summit North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a highly anticipated championship showdown, Lafayette faced off against Lee's Summit North in a bid to defend their title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Final Score:</strong> Lafayette won 22-25, 25-14, 25-19, 25-21.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Lafayette's Offense:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475339' first='Shaye' last='Witherspoon'] (6'3” Outside):</strong> Led the charge with 31 kills, a .314 hitting percentage, 10 digs, and 6 blocks.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545008' first='Aubrey' last='Toti'] (2029):</strong> Added 12 kills.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Daya Sievers:</strong> Contributed <strong>6 </strong>kills and 5 blocks.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Libero [player_tooltip player_id='223117' first='Addy' last='Wiese']:</strong> Recorded 21 digs and 8 assists.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Setting Duo:</strong> <strong>Hailey Lowrey</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='774313' first='Alexa' last='Hastings']</strong> combined for 39 assists and 13 digs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Lee's Summit North Performers:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834151' first='Kenzie' last='Huhman'] (2028):</strong> Paved the way with 14 kills, 8 digs, and 4 blocks.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='886202' first='Nylah' last='Rinard'] (2029):</strong> Made a significant impact with 12 kills and 9 digs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220462' first='Madilynn' last='Benne']:</strong> Excelled on defense with 22 digs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485632' first='Leighton' last='Benne'] (Setter):</strong> Dished out 32 assists, along with 2 aces, 3 digs, and 3 blocks.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite their best efforts, Lee's Summit North finished as the state runners-up, capping off an impressive season with a strong showing in the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->