Class 5 Quarterfinal 1 – 2 Preview: Final Four on the Line

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two powerhouse programs and a district-upset winner headline the Class 5 quarterfinals. Lafayette and Jackson meet again after Lafayette beat them earlier, while Incarnate Word looks to continue its postseason run against a Rock Bridge team coming off a dramatic district-title upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 1:</strong> Jackson 36-3 <strong>vs. Lafayette 32-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson won its district title for the seventh time in eight years, sweeping Fox, St. Pius X and Oakville. Lafayette claimed its 18th district title in 20 years, sweeping Parkway South, beating Kirkwood 3-1 and defeating Eureka 3-0 in the final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> Jackson went 11-0; Lafayette went 9-2. Lafayette lost to Nixa 1-2 and Incarnate Word 0-3, while Jackson beat Nixa 2-1 and Incarnate Word 3-0 and 2-0. <strong>Head-to-head:</strong> Lafayette won 25-18, 25-17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson:</strong> The Indians don't post stats publicly, but key players include 2027 <strong>Bella Sostillio</strong>, 2027 libero <strong>Kate Church</strong>, 2028 setter and outside hitter <strong>Avery Brune</strong>, 2027 <strong>Stella Ruesler</strong>, 2028 middle blocker <strong>Zoe Zahner</strong>, and 2028 setter and outside hitter <strong>Lauren Dorey</strong>. Brune is committed to Missouri State, while Dorey has committed to the University of Washington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lafayette:</strong> <strong>Aubrey Dumstorff</strong> has 504 digs, while <strong>Hannah Scerba</strong> has 269 digs. <strong>Madi Alleman</strong> and <strong>Adayah Sievers</strong> each have 42 blocks. <strong>Peyton Dolly</strong> has 277 kills and 71 blocks while hitting .421. <strong>Haley Lowery</strong> has 491 assists, and <strong>Gigi Foley</strong> has 309. <strong>Aubrey Toti</strong> leads the offense with 457 kills, averaging 5.4 per set and hitting .308.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Jackson has been a strong program for a long time, but several seasons have ended against Lafayette, which has gone on to win state championships. Without publicly available stats, it's difficult to offer a detailed breakdown of the Indians. I do know Lauren Dorey is one of the best all-around players in Jackson history. She can play setter, pin, or middle, and will play for Washington in two seasons. Avery Brune is another terrific setter and pin. Both have been major contributors since their first seasons, and with them on the floor, Jackson has a chance in every match. Lafayette is the only Missouri team to beat Jackson this year; the Indians' other losses came against teams from Kansas and Mississippi.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've watched Lafayette a couple of times this season, and the Lancers have the traits of a typical strong Lafayette team: tough defense, multiple high-level defenders, three setters with different strengths and players who can shift positions to create matchup problems. They also have two of the state's best pin hitters. 2029 Aubrey Toti has led the offense all season, and <strong>Shaye Witherspoon's</strong> return adds another dimension. With Nebraska commit Witherspoon and Toti on the pins, Caby at middle, Dolly's quickness in the middle, Sievers' blocking versatility, and a deep group of defenders, Lafayette can create problems all over the court. The Lancers can also serve opponents out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm picking Lafayette to sweep and end Jackson's outstanding season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 2: Incarnate Word 32-6 vs.</strong> Rock Bridge 19-18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incarnate Word swept Hazelwood West, Francis Howell North and Francis Howell Central to win its district. Rock Bridge had a tougher path, beating Hickman and North Point 3-1 before upsetting top-seeded Fort Zumwalt West in a five-set marathon, 15-13 in the deciding set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> Incarnate Word beat Jefferson City 3-1 and Marquette 2-1. Rock Bridge beat Jefferson City 3-2 and lost to Marquette 2-3. <strong>Head-to-head:</strong> No previous meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Incarnate Word:</strong> <strong>Bailey Hensgens</strong> has 386 kills, 127 blocks, and a .419 hitting percentage. <strong>Sara Stanek</strong> has 261 kills, and <strong>Erin Donald</strong> has 261 kills while hitting .281. <strong>Audrey Schaeffer</strong> leads the defense with 625 digs and 101 aces. <strong>Alyssa Brown</strong> has 119 kills and 57 blocks, while <strong>Avery Buckley</strong> has 637 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rock Bridge:</strong> <strong>Ivana Petrova</strong> has 3.5 kills per set, 77 aces, and 223 digs. <strong>Channing Coslet</strong> has 435 digs, averaging 4.1 per set, and <strong>Chloe Bakker</strong> has 979 assists. <strong>Kaya Dercher</strong> has 252 kills and 306 digs; <strong>Kinley Blakeman</strong> has 218 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Incarnate Word is seeking its 29th trip to the Final Four and has prepared for this stage like any Class 5 team. Jackson is the only team to beat the Red Knights twice this season and the only Missouri team to beat them. Incarnate Word also swept Lafayette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Knights build around defense, led by one of the state's best liberos, Audrey Schaeffer, along with defensive specialists Kendall Stroer and Abbi Koelling. Hensgens is a tremendous middle who can hit over the block, and the team's two setters understand their roles. Incarnate Word also relies heavily on three freshmen, including two pins and a setter. If the seniors keep them calm, the Red Knights are in a strong position to return to the Final Four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A trip to the Final Four would be just the second in Rock Bridge history, and the challenge is significant. The Bruins will need big performances from 2029 middles <strong>Chloe Chiteri</strong> and <strong>Jalee Morton</strong> to slow Incarnate Word's front row. Coslet will also need to be at her best to help contain the Red Knights' powerful offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incarnate Word has two of the best players in the 2027 class: Hensgens in the middle and Schaeffer at libero. Schaeffer reads the play exceptionally well, while Hensgens attacks with power. The Red Knights' role players know what's expected. If the freshmen stay composed, I see Incarnate Word winning in straight sets and advancing to the Final Four, where a semifinal matchup with defending state champion Lafayette could await.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->