Challenging the Champs: The Road to Class 5 Glory

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 5 volleyball has been largely dominated by the Lafayette Lancers in recent years, and any team aiming for the title will need to dethrone them. However, that task is easier said than done. Standing in the way are formidable contenders like Ozark, Incarnate Word Academy (IWA), and both Lee's Summit North and Lee's Summit West. With the district assignments set to be released this Friday, we'll soon see the paths these teams must navigate to reach the Final Four. Additionally, upcoming changes in championship classifications may move several teams into Class 5 while moving others down to Class 4, which could shake things up significantly. Below is a closer look at the teams I believe could make a title run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lafayette Lancers 40-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lafayette won their fourth consecutive state title and tenth overall and has a solid chance at finishing on top of the podium again. Regardless of the news of <strong>Shaye Witherspoon</strong> being out for the full season, whether she can make a recovery in time for the playoffs is yet to be determined. But whoever Lafayette returns in the final four will still have to go through the Lancers. Starting with what we do know: 2029 <strong>Aubrey Toti</strong> will return as the team's top kill leader after a great first year with 311 kills. Aubrey's offensive production might need to increase even more this season, and rightfully so. 2027 middle <strong>Peyton Dolly</strong> returns with 190 kills and a team-leading 104 blocks. 2027 middle/opposite 6'3" <strong>Adayah Sievers</strong> is versatile enough that she could move back to the middle or stay as an opposite. At setter, <strong>Hailey Lowery</strong> will return for a final season and could get help from <strong>Alexa Hastings</strong> or <strong>Gigi Foley</strong>. Lafayette is a tough defensive team and will have a couple of the state's best liberos back in <strong>Aubrey Dumstorff </strong>and <strong>Hannah Scerba</strong>. It will be interesting to see how the season plays out for Lafayette, but you can never count them out of a title run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Incarnate Word Red Knights 25-16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Knights made another run to the Final Four last year and finished fourth. Not bad for a team that started with mostly underclassmen. Track star <strong>Bailey Hensgens </strong>returns for her final season as a four-year starter and will look to pass 1000 career kills midway through the season. 2028 pin hitter <strong>Kylee Donahue</strong> returns after finishing with 282 kills; 2029 <strong>Erin Donald</strong> will most likely return as a full-time middle after a great club season. 2027 <strong>Audrey Schaeffer</strong> returns, and it will be interesting to see where she ends up playing. Libero or hits on the pin. 2028 <strong>Avery Buckley</strong> will once again be in control of the offense after dishing out 1073 assists last season. One thing to watch is IWA's defense. Top-notch 2029 <strong>Abbi Koelling </strong>and 2027 <strong>Kendall Stroer</strong> also return to patrol the defense, and one could wear the libero jersey. Either way, the Red Knights play one of the toughest schedules year in and year out and should be one of the top teams come playoff time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lee's Summit West Titans 25-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans were my pick to make the final four last season, but they were upended in districts. West returns a D1 libero, <strong>Andi Gardner</strong>, who is headed to Mizzou in two years. Both middles, <strong>Hallie Ganga </strong>and <strong>Emma </strong>Friedline, return after finishing with 65 blocks apiece last season. Then 2028 setter <strong>Jaelyn Jordan</strong> returns after finishing with 707 assists last year. Pin hitters <strong>Tori Massengill</strong> and <strong>Lauren Newbold</strong> will once again be the top offensive threats after combining for over 576 kills. West usually plays one of the toughest schedules in the Kansas City area and will return to the Rockwood Tournament in Saint Louis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ozark Tigers 32-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ozark's season ended with a loss to rival Nixa, and they will be on the hunt for revenge this season. 2027 <strong>Kezzie Lopez</strong> will return as the top offensive threat, along with 2028 <strong>Brooklyn Brownfield,</strong> who finished 2nd and 3rd in kills last season. 2029 <strong>Lucy Roark </strong>will once again get the call to run the offense after dishing out 901 assists as a freshman. Transfer <strong>Blair Bough</strong> will get a chance to shine for the Tigers, as she was an All-State player at Strafford last year. The key to success will be first contact, as they must replace last year's top-notch libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lee's Summit North Broncos 30-8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's runner-up will be another contender to watch. North came into state, lost its top attacker in the semifinals, and regrouped to make the title match. Returning to carry the offense will be 2029 <strong>Talia Francis</strong> in the middle, <strong>Kenzie Huhman</strong> at opposite, and <strong>Nylah Rinard</strong> on the outside. <strong>Leighton Benne</strong> will once again take full control of the offense after finishing with 1038 assists last year. One big loss will be a D1 libero lost to graduation, a middle blocker, and a pin hitter. If the Broncos can find suitable replacements in those positions, they will once again be in the hunt. The Rockwood Tournament will be a good measuring stick for how this team could be, even though it will be early in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->