Class 5 District 3 & 4 Previews
In this article:
District 3 Howell Central 23-12 St. Joseph’s Academy 18-10 Pattonville 23-10-2 Westminster Christian 20-7-5 Francis Howell North 8-18-3 Ritenour 12-9-2 Hazelwood Central 4-7 Hazelwood West 7-19-3 Riverview Gardens 2-12-2 Prediction: Semifinal 1: Howell Central and Westminster Christian Both teams had…
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Continue ReadingDistrict 3
- Howell Central 23-12
- St. Joseph’s Academy 18-10
- Pattonville 23-10-2
- Westminster Christian 20-7-5
- Francis Howell North 8-18-3
- Ritenour 12-9-2
- Hazelwood Central 4-7
- Hazelwood West 7-19-3
- Riverview Gardens 2-12-2
Prediction:
Semifinal 1: Howell Central and Westminster Christian
Both teams had an easy quarterfinal round to meet in the semifinals. This one comes down to health for Central. Will they be fully loaded? Both teams have wins against each other. In the latest meeting, Westminster knocked off Central 3-2 with the 5th set going 16-14. In the win, Westminster received 33 kills from trio Emma Woll Emma Woll 6'0" | OH Westminster Christian | 2025 State MO , Rachel Buchanan, and Emory Freesmeier Emory Freesmeier 5'11" | MB Westminster Christian | 2027 MO while Central 28 from Jordan Smith Jordan Smith 6'4" | OH Francis Howell Central | 2025 State #59 Nation MO and Logan Rubel. This one comes down to a fully healthy Central squad. If they have the full roster Central takes the win in 4.
Semifinal 2: St. Joseph’s Academy and Pattonville
In the only meeting of the season a week ago, St. Joseph’s pulled out a 25-21, 25-22, 25-18 win. Zoe Baliva Zoe Baliva 6'1" | OH St. Joseph's Academy | 2025 State MO and Claire Morrissey Claire Morrissey 6'0" | RS St Joseph’s Academy | 2024 State #22 Nation MO combined for 25 kills in the win. Pattonville has two of the best outsides in the area Reagan Nelson Reagan Nelson 6'0" | OH Pattonville | 2025 State #107 Nation MO and Kylie Surratt Kylie Surratt 6'0" | RS Pattonville | 2024 State MO . If Pattonville wants to advance to the title they will need someone else to step up and help them their outsides. Faith Cunningham will need to have a huge blocking performance to help the Pirates knock off the Angels. The Angels counter with one of the top 2024 outsides in the country Claire Morrissey Claire Morrissey 6'0" | RS St Joseph’s Academy | 2024 State #22 Nation MO and hot off a 28-kill performance in a win over Incarnate Word. Morrissey and company knocked off the Pirates in a hotly contested 3-1 victory.
Finals: Francis Howell Central and St. Joseph’s Academy
This one will be a gunslinger and whoever can play defense the best will pull out the win. Both teams have D1 commits on the outside. Both have solid middles. The difference between the two is defense. Claire Morrissey Claire Morrissey 6'0" | RS St Joseph’s Academy | 2024 State #22 Nation MO is one of the best outside hitters in the country but what makes her stand out is her defense. She can flat-out defend and that will be the difference in the match. The Angels take the 3-2 championship.
District 4
- Francis Howell 25-7-1
- St. Dominic 16-16
- Timberland 21-8
- Liberty 20-7-1
- Ft. Zumwalt North 17-9-2
- Ft. Zumwalt West 15-10
- Troy 7-16-3
- Battle 7-18-3
Prediction:
Semifinal 1: Francis Howell vs. Liberty
Francis Howell has too much for Liberty to handle and they knock off Liberty 3-0. Abby Harder Abby Harder 6'1" | MB Liberty | 2024 State MO and Reese Douglas Reese Douglas 5'8" | OH Liberty | 2024 State MO do all they can for the Eagles but Ella Kloepper Ella Kloepper 5'9" | RS Francis Howell | 2024 State MO , Danielle Moore Danielle Moore 6'2" | RS Francis Howell | 2025 State MO , and Avery Guisinger Avery Guisinger 6'1" | MB Francis Howell | 2024 State MO are more than Liberty can deal with. Plus Avery Helms Avery Helms 5'8" | DS/L Francis Howell | 2025 State MO keeps the ball from hitting the floor enough to let her attackers finish the plays.
Semifinal 2: St. Dominic vs. Timberland
Timberland started the season off 9-0 and got a huge transfer. St. Dominic has been on a rollercoaster this season but plays a brutal schedule to prepare them for the playoffs. Both teams have two of the best setters in Abigail Schoene Abigail Schoene 5'11" | S Timberland | 2026 State MO for Timberland and Brytn Lyon Brytn Lyon 6'1" | S St. Dominic | 2025 State MO for St. Dominic. Timberland attack is led by St. Dominic transfer Kayla Robertson, Abby Chall Abby Chall 6'0" | MB Timberland | 2025 State MO , and Kennedy Draggs Kennedy Draggs 6'0" | MB Holt | 2025 State MO and the Crusaders have Greta Heiney, and Natalie Frazier. Emotions will be high in this one and Timberland will outlast the Crusaders in 5.
Finals: Francis Howell vs. Timberland
These two have played twice this season and Francis Howell has yet to lose a set to the Wolves. Claudia Bonacorsi gets into the action while Morgan Christine Dumm Morgan Christine Dumm 5'11" | S Francis Howell | 2025 State MO and Mia Wilson run the offense to perfect. Francis Howell goes back to the playoffs with a 3-0 sweep.