Class 4 Preseason Rankings 6-10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Class 4, only a handful of teams seem poised to return enough talent to challenge the defending state champions. As the season unfolds, these contenders will aim to make their mark against the reigning titleholders. Here's a closer look at my picks for the 6-10 rankings in Class 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. <strong>Hannibal Pirates 26-8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hannibal has been a competitive team for the last several years, and this year will be no different. The Pirates return the team's top attackers/setters in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='469947' first='Malia' last='Stolte']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829347' first='Aly' last='Falconer']</strong>, with 963 assists and 470 kills. Add in 2028's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835138' first='Lyla' last='Dorsey']</strong> and <strong>Marissa Falconer</strong>, and the Pirates have a solid core that returns. Replacing a big middle will be key to the Pirates' success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. Burroughs Bombers 20-8-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burroughs is poised to continue its streak of successful seasons, as the team welcomes back two standout outside hitters, [player_tooltip player_id='222578' first='Georgia' last='Hite'] and [player_tooltip player_id='624662' first='Ries' last='Schnuck'], who collectively racked up an impressive 697 kills last season. Adding to their formidable lineup is 6'2" middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='817208' first='Moriyah' last='Douglass'], who brings both height and skill to the court. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='222064' first='Bailey' last='Biggs'] adds defensive strength, while two-year starting setter [player_tooltip player_id='485616' first='Kaitlyn' last='Ahn'] orchestrates the offense with precision. With such a talented core returning, I look for the Bombers to be pushing for another district title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8</strong>. <strong>St. Joseph's Academy Angels 14-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Angels play a rigid schedule and take their lumps, but come the playoffs, you never count them out. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545157' first='Sophia' last='Kaburakis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490238' first='Kathryn' last='Teepe']</strong> return as the team's top offensive weapons along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808083' first='Remy' last='Stack']. [player_tooltip player_id='624029' first='Lucy' last='Moriarty']</strong> will wear the different color jersey, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459892' first='Ashley' last='Eveler']</strong> returns as the top distributor. The Angels are the only team to give St. Pius X a challenge in the playoffs last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.</strong> <strong>Festus Tigers 24-6-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222581' first='Jessie' last='Hawkins']</strong> returns to the libero position and will bring back her career 1086 digs. 6'0” middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809856' first='Rylee' last='Lawrence']</strong> returns as the top hitter after having 273 kills last season, and as the&nbsp;blocking leader, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827231' first='Maggie' last='Geiler']</strong> looks to improve on her 94 blocks from last season. After the&nbsp;graduation of both setters, the replacement could be the one position that is desperately needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.</strong> <strong>St. Francis Borgia Knights 12-19-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Borgia is one team that has been hit by the championship factor the most, but this season should slide down to Class 4. The team returns a ton of talent with one of the best setters in the 2027 class, [player_tooltip player_id='544669' first='Gabriella' last='Schwoeppe']. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='218556' first='Joanna' last='Gillen']</strong> returns to the middle, <strong>Emma Hurst</strong>, <strong>Gracie Bailey, Emmalynn Henderson, [player_tooltip player_id='797080' first='Mia' last='Klak']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826653' first='Kaiya' last='Weber']</strong> should all provide the offensive power. One aspect that needs to be addressed is the libero. If someone can fill that void, Borgia should make&nbsp;me a contender for a district title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->