Class 2 Final Four Preview
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Class 2 has three teams making a repeat trip to the final four. Last year Hermann knocked off Jefferson in the semifinals on their way to another state title, while Jefferson would take 3rd place. Strafford moved down to Class…
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Continue ReadingClass 2 has three teams making a repeat trip to the final four. Last year Hermann knocked off Jefferson in the semifinals on their way to another state title, while Jefferson would take 3rd place. Strafford moved down to Class 2 and returned to the final four after finished 2nd in Class 3 to Blair Oaks. East Buchanan is making the school’s first trip to the volleyball final four.
Jefferson 30-5-1
Vs. East Buchanan 31-5-1
The Blue Jays had a little speed bump to start the year, going 5-3-1 to start the season but since have won 25 of the last 27 games. Five of the six have committed to play college ball, and Roth is going to Arkansas as a libero. Jefferson has been on my radar since last year because they returned the solid core and added a big-time libero in Grace Lowery Grace Lowery 5'8" | DS/L Jefferson | 2023 State MO . The sectional match against Maplewood-Richmond Heights wasn’t much of a match-winning 25-4, 25-5, and 25-4. Next would be Saxony Lutheran, who beat Jefferson 2-0 and then lost 3-2. Another five sets with Saxony would determine a final four trip, and Jefferson pulled out the match 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 23-25, 17-15.
Jefferson Starters:
Emma Breier Emma Breier 6'0" | OH Jefferson | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Middle
421 kills and 194 digs
Ava Roth Ava Roth 5'6" | DS/L Jefferson R-7 | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Outside
306 kills and 346 digs
Kirstyn Loyd Kirstyn Loyd 5'11" | OH Jefferson | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Outside
304 kills and 267 digs
Avery Richardson Avery Richardson 5'11" | MB Jefferson R-7 | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Middle
68 kills and 40 blocks
Grace Lowery Grace Lowery 5'8" | DS/L Jefferson | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Libero
226 digs
Paige Siebert Paige Siebert 5'6" | S Jefferson | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Setter
1010 assists and 217 digs
Maclayne McPeters – 2023 – Opposite
87 kills and 28 blocks
The Bulldogs are making their first trip to the final four and doing it on the arm of Maya Watkins Maya Watkins 5'10" | OH East Buchanan | 2023 State MO . The four-year starter has been a leader from the get-go at East Buchanan and brings with her 1179 career kills. Another four-year starter is Kinzie Woodside Kinzie Woodside 5'4" | DS/L East Buchanan | 2023 State MO , whose 1564 career digs are the glue that keeps this team going. The Bulldog’s sectional round sweep of Lafayette County 25-21, 25-14, 25-8 set up the quarterfinal battle with Lone Jack. East Buchanan had to fight its way back from down 0-2 to take the last 3 for a 17-25, 14-25, 25-18, 25-18, and 15-12 win to push them into the final four.
East Buchanan Starters:
Maya Watkins Maya Watkins 5'10" | OH East Buchanan | 2023 State MO -2023 – Outside
398 kills and 282 digs
Rilyn Sherwood Rilyn Sherwood 5'9" | OH East Buchanan | 2025 State MO – 2026 – Middle
220 kills
Holly Caylor Holly Caylor 5'9" | MB East Buchanan | 2024 State MO – 2024 – Middle
228 kills and 29 blocks
Kinzie Woodside Kinzie Woodside 5'4" | DS/L East Buchanan | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Libero
526 digs
Brooklyn Adam – 2023 – Middle
206 kills and 36 blocks
Kylie Clark Kylie Clark 5'6" | S East Buchanan | 2024 State MO – 2024 – Setter
209 digs and 949 assists
Zora Whitt – 2024 – DS
262 digs
Projection: Jefferson has too much firepower and is playing exceptionally well to be denied a trip to the championship. Jefferson is destined to make it to the championship match and wins 3-0.
Hermann 30-9-1
Vs. Strafford 26-8-1
Hermann is making its 28th final-four appearance and looking for a 16th state championship. When you talk about the final four for Class 2, Hermann is always in the mix and has been for three decades. Strafford returns to the final four after a 2nd place finishes in Class 3. Strafford is making its 7th final four and still seeking its first title. Montgomery County and West Plains are common opponents, and both teams swept them.
Hermann Starters:
Holly Heldt Holly Heldt 5'10" | MB Hermann | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Middle
576 kills and 313 digs
Shelby Schutt – 2023 – Middle
149 kills and 154 digs
Jill Rood – 2024 – Outside
199 kills and 41 blocks
Quin Winkelmann – 2023 – Outside
137 kills
Kennedie Witthaus Kennedie Witthaus 5'3" | DS/L Hermann | 2025 State MO – 2025 – DS
278 Digs
Brecklyn Koeller Brecklyn Koeller 5'6" | S Hermann | 2024 State MO – 2024 – Setter
1127 assists and 227 digs
Paige Schulte – 2024- Outside
98 kills and 268 digs
The only surprise with Strafford returning to the final four is I thought they would stay in Class 3. The Indians are known for their girls’ basketball program, but volleyball is next in line at this rate. In the sectional round, Mt.View Liberty was the first victim as Strafford took a 25-17, 26-24, 25-16 win. In the quarterfinals, a one-loss Fair Grove team was waiting for another rematch. Strafford squeaked out a 22-25, 25-21, 25-27, 25-22, 15-12 win to return to the final four.
Strafford Starters:
Sophia Frerking Sophia Frerking 5'10" | MB Strafford | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Middle
303 kills and 250 digs
Ashley Suter Ashley Suter 5'8" | OH Strafford | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Outside
242 kills and 251 digs
Halle Forester Halle Forester 5'4" | OH Strafford | 2025 State MO – 2025 – Outside
394 digs and 184 kills
Abby Chadwell Abby Chadwell 5'9" | S Strafford | 2023 State MO – 2023 – Setter
966 assists, 94 kills, and 306 digs
Sophia Venosdel Sophia Venosdel 5'9" | OH Strafford | 2025 State MO – 2025 – Middle
186 kills and 34 blocks
Mya Highfill – 2025 – Outside
56 kills
Projection: Hermann takes the match in a barn burner 5-set match. Once Hermann gets to the final four, they are hard to stop. Jefferson and Hermann are a rematch of last year’s semifinals which Hermann won in 4. Jefferson is waiting for redemption and seeks the school’s first title.
Championship
Jefferson
vs. Hermann