Class 5: Six Teams Built for a Final Four Run

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 5 is once again loaded with contenders. As many as 10 teams have a legitimate path to the Final Four in St. Joseph during the first week of November, but six programs have separated themselves as the teams to watch. With several important matches and tournaments still ahead, the race remains wide open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lafayette Lancers — 18-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lafayette is doing it again. The Lancers have yet to lose to a Missouri opponent, with their only defeats coming against St. Thomas Aquinas, Kansas, and Morton, Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a 3-2 victory over Cor Jesu in the fourth match of the season, Lafayette has been rolling. The Lancers still have key matches against Jackson, St. Dominic, Eureka, Incarnate Word Academy, and Mater Dei, Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lafayette has built its success without returning Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year <strong>Shaye Witherspoon</strong>. Offensively, the Lancers are led by 2029 pin hitter <strong>Aubrey Toti</strong> with 149 kills; 2027 middle <strong>Peyton Dolly</strong> with 130 kills; and 2030 outside hitter <strong>Mia Bergoudian</strong> with 78.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense has been just as impressive, led by 2027 <strong>Aubrey Dumstorff</strong> and 2029 <strong>Hannah Scerba</strong>. If Lafayette can get healthy by district, don't be surprised to see the Lancers add another banner to the gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Incarnate Word Academy Red Knights — 13-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incarnate Word Academy suffered its only loss of the season against Cor Jesu, falling 3-1 in the third match of the year. Since then, the Red Knights have picked up impressive wins over Borgia, Mascoutah, Illinois, St. James Academy, Kansas, and Westminster Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>IWA still has matches against Mater Dei, Eureka, Jackson, and Lafayette. The Red Knights will also compete in the Jackson Tournament and the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, Arizona.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team features two of the state's top 2027 players: high-flying middle <strong>Bailey Hensgens</strong> and defensive master libero <strong>Audrey Schaeffer</strong>. The biggest question will be how quickly the young players continue to develop. That group includes 2029 middle <strong>Erin Donald</strong>, 2030 opposite <strong>Alyssa Brown</strong>, 2030 outside hitter <strong>Sara Stanek</strong>, 2029 defensive specialist <strong>Abbi Koelling</strong>, and setters 2028 <strong>Avery Buckley</strong> and 2030 <strong>Mia Robertson.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the young Red Knights continue improving against the challenging schedule ahead, IWA will be a dangerous postseason team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson Indians — 20-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It has been years since Jackson was not considered one of Missouri's top Class 5 programs. The Indians' only losses this season have come against out-of-state opponents: St. Thomas Aquinas, Kansas, and Northpoint Christian, Mississippi.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson has already earned notable wins over Lee's Summit West, Cor Jesu, and Columbia, Illinois. However, the toughest part of the schedule is still ahead. The Indians will face Lafayette, Nixa, St. Dominic, Saxony, Incarnate Word Academy, and Eureka.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson will also host a tournament featuring Incarnate Word, Kirkwood, Lindbergh, and Festus. The Indians have clearly strengthened their schedule in preparation for another district-title run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>University of Washington commit <strong>Lauren Dorey</strong> has been outstanding, while <strong>Avery Brune,</strong> libero<strong> Kate</strong> <strong>Church</strong>, <strong>Zoe Zahner</strong>, middle <strong>Lilly McCormick</strong>, and opposite <strong>Stella Ruesler</strong> have also helped Jackson establish itself as one of the state's most complete teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ozark Tigers — 15-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ozark's only losses came at the Rockwood Tournament, against Lee's Summit and Lafayette. The Tigers have responded with quality wins over Liberty North, St. Dominic, Marquette twice, and Arkansas powers Conway and Bryant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Nixa, Kickapoo, and the Ozark Grand Slam still on the schedule, Ozark has an opportunity to enter districts with very few losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers' offense is led by 2028 outside hitters <strong>Blair Bough</strong> and <strong>Zoey Browning</strong>, along with 2029 <strong>Jillian</strong> <strong>Elet</strong>. Middle blockers <strong>Mykenzie Vernatti</strong> and <strong>Bella Argo</strong> have been strong at the net, while 2029 libero <strong>Sophia Miller</strong> and setter <strong>Lucy Roark</strong> help give Ozark balance in every rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With its combination of size, defense, and offensive options, Ozark has the pieces to make a deep postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lee's Summit North Broncos — 17-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee's Summit North earned its place among the state's top contenders with a tournament title at the loaded MOKAN event. The Broncos picked up wins over Lee's Summit West, Blue Valley North, Kansas, Maize South, Kansas, and St. Thomas Aquinas, Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North's win over Aquinas was especially impressive. The Broncos' young players took control at the net, combining for 28 of the team's 33 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos lost to Cor Jesu and Eureka during the Rockwood Tournament before falling to cross-town rival Lee's Summit West. Even so, their schedule and tournament results show that North belongs in the Class 5 conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos are led by 2028<strong> Kenzie Huhman</strong>, 2029 <strong>Nylah Rinard</strong> and <strong>Aleah Ulberg</strong>, and 2030 <strong>Tinsley Bahr</strong>. That group gives Lee's Summit North a difficult matchup from every position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lee's Summit West Titans — 16-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee's Summit remains one of the state's best volleyball hotbeds, and Lee's Summit West deserves plenty of attention. The Titans' losses have come against Lafayette, Jackson, and Lee's Summit North, but they have also collected wins over Cor Jesu, Eureka, Westminster Christian, and St. Michael.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offense is led by 2027 <strong>Tori Massengill</strong>, who has 159 kills. <strong>Hallie Ganga</strong> is hitting .398, while <strong>Lauren</strong> <strong>Newbold</strong> has added 125 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans also receive major contributions from 2028 libero <strong>Andi Gardner</strong>, who has 262 digs, and setter <strong>Jaelyn Jordan</strong>, who has recorded 446 assists. Upcoming matches against St. Dominic and Park Hill should provide another test before the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee's Summit West may not receive the same attention as some of the other teams on this list, but its experience and balance make the Titans a legitimate Final Four threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->