Who Will Make It To The Final Four? Class 4/5

<p>This year has been a year of unknowns for sure. It appears the state is moving forward with high school athletics as fall practices kicked off this past week. MSHSAA did announce yesterday an alternative spring option for schools unable to compete in the coming months. Due to the uncertainty, we are still waiting for the new classifications for volleyball. This fall, Missouri will move to 5 classes for the sport. While we can play the guessing game on who will move up to 5, who stays 4, who moves up to 4 from 3, etc, we won’t do that at this time. However, let’s take a look at who are the early favorites to make it to the final four in the upper classes based on where they were placed last year.</p> <p><em><strong>Class4/5</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Nixa Eagles</strong></p> <p>Anytime you can return your top two in kills you are going to have the opportunity to compete on the final weekend of the season. That is the luxury Coach Annie Zimmerman will have in junior [player_tooltip player_id="102546" first="Jaycee" last="Fixsen"] and senior [player_tooltip player_id="41762" first="Taylor" last="Golmen"]. Fixsen, the recent Missouri State commit led the team with 294 kills and Golmen close behind with 263. If they can find one player to fill the void offensively from the talented 2020 graduation class, they will be in contention. The other area of concern will be defensively. Nixa will look to reload after graduating 4 seniors that earned over 200 digs and 1 that fell just shy. Setter is a position they will have no concern. Back for her junior season is [player_tooltip player_id="102444" first="Sydney" last="Golden"]. The talented Golden had 1059 assists in her sophomore season, passing to a strong group of hitters. If the young players can step up, look for Nixa to be in contention in late October.</p> <p><strong>Liberty Blue Jays</strong></p> <p>Liberty has much to be excited for after a run to the final four a season. Coach April Fleming’s team returns a strong nucleus heading into 2020. They lost three major roster pieces from last year but return a large portion of their scoring. Leading the way will be senior outside [player_tooltip player_id="41749" first="Bailee" last="Middleton"]. Last fall, the all-state honoree had 406 kills to go with 392 digs. Joining her on the pin will be junior [player_tooltip player_id="99217" first="Madi" last="Corf"], who also had a strong scoring season with 317 kills. Both middles return in the sophomore duo of [player_tooltip player_id="99215" first="Brooklyn" last="Young"] and [player_tooltip player_id="102558" first="Grace" last="Toney"]. They had strong freshmen campaigns and look to build on that in their second season. Jnai Moultrie played a key role on the right side a year ago and returns for her senior year. The key will be who will step up in the libero and defensive specialist positions after losing key defenders. [player_tooltip player_id="99216" first="Ashley" last="Mullen"] looks to take over the setting duties after splitting time in the role last season.</p> <p><strong>Willard Tigers</strong></p> <p>Willard had a strong season with a pretty young team last fall. Even though they were relatively young, they did lose their second and third hitters in kills. They return one of the top players in the state in [player_tooltip player_id="41751" first="Maddy" last="Bushnell"]. The senior will be depended on even more in her final season as a player and leader. The Tigers will see the return of recent Washburn commit [player_tooltip player_id="41750" first="Payton" last="Van Veen"]. The outside hitter, unfortunately, was hit with the injury bug the last two seasons but should be good to go for her final season. Two rising juniors in Grace Hancock and Lael Bradon hope to build on their action from 2019. [player_tooltip player_id="102455" first="Kindall" last="Smithson"] returns in the back row to lead the team defensively. The large question mark will be who will set in Coach Hancock’s system in 2020. </p> <p><strong>Lafayette (Wildwood) Lancers</strong></p> <p>After a 30 win season, look for Lafayette to be in the hunt at the end of the year. Offensively, they should be paced by senior Morgan Isenberg and rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="101699" first="Jordyn" last="Lochmann"]. They both stepped up last year and hope to capitalize on that experience in 2020. They return many bodies who can contribute defensively behind the front line. Lexi Basler and her 470 digs are back for her last year in the black and gold. Jenny Nguyen displayed she can handle the spotlight last year also, contributing 244 digs but look for her to also potentially take over full-time setting duties. With many of the young players gaining valuable experience last fall, don’t be surprised if the Lancers are battling for a spot late in the season. </p> <p><strong>St. Teresa’s Academy Stars</strong></p> <p>The Stars was another team that benefited from having a talented group of youngers that will pay huge dividends in 2020.  They do return their kill leader in senior [player_tooltip player_id="101677" first="Maggie" last="McInerney"], the outside hitter committed to the University of Chicago. We should potentially see her in more of a six rotation role this fall. What many are looking to see is how sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="101697" first="Reagan" last="Fox"] does in year 2. The 6’2" outside hitter has high potential and could be the difference in how far the team advances in the postseason. Also returning for her senior season is middle blocker, [player_tooltip player_id="101686" first="Kelly" last="Ann Greene"]. She had a strong first year of varsity action last fall with her offensive skill and defensive blocking ability.  The team will have some defensive experience in senior Kayla Smocks and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="102463" first="Darby" last="Beddome"]. The big key is who will set for Lauren Adair’s squad. They lost over 95% of their assists from last fall. Whoever fills this void will go a long way in their run to another final four. </p> <p><strong>Additional teams to keep an eye on</strong></p> <p><strong>Cor Jesu Academy Chargers</strong></p> <p>Cor Jesu and their success speaks for itself. They will again seek to reload at a high level to be in contention come November. After having a senior-dominated roster a year ago, new faces will be depended on to keep the tradition of battling for championships alive. Senior Addison Erusha, along with juniors Edie Behrens and Jacqueline Beville will look for increased contributions this fall offensively.  Maddie Hoffman returns to anchor the back row. </p> <p><strong>Oakville Tigers</strong></p> <p>Oakville returns enough pieces for us to need to keep an eye on in their 2020 campaign. They lost some valuable contributors but if they reload, they will be in the conversation come October. [player_tooltip player_id="101685" first="Regina" last="Elguezabal"] is the top returnee in the kill category. Look at her to be the go-to hitter for the Tigers this fall. Junior Gracie Miller and sophomore Tess McConnell will be looked upon to fill some of the void offensively. What Oakville lost in offense, they return with defense. Back are Allyson Williams and Olivia Klump. The juniors can cover a lot of ground behind the front line and bring high-level energy. Like a few contenders, the question mark lies behind the setter position. We will see who fills this role and see if they can lead Oakville to the promise land. </p> <p><strong>Park Hill Trojans</strong></p> <p>A couple of seasons ago Park Hill won their first district title in close to 20 years to return to sectional play. After a 20 win season last fall, they return a strong core group who could make a run deep into the playoffs. They will benefit with the return of outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id="41748" first="Kristen" last="Birmingham"] and Shaye Koski. Both played six rotations last year and should increase both their kill and dig numbers. They also return both of their middles in senior Hannah Graves and sophomore Aisha Aiono. Their ability to earn kills both in front and behind the setter keeps the defense on their toes. Also, they bring a big block to the net and cause teams headaches. On the right side senior Aile Aiono is back for her final campaign. She has been steady over her four years and looks to contribute more offensively. Defensively, the Trojans return [player_tooltip player_id="41786" first="Megan" last="Hoover"] and Valencia Zamora. Zamora missed 2019 after a strong freshman season. The key for Park Hill will be in the setting position. If they can solve that riddle, they may compete long into the postseason. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>