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<p>As the Class 5 volleyball season heats up, several teams are making waves with impressive performances. This article highlights the top teams in the state, showcasing their achievements and what to expect as they head into key tournaments and matchups. Let's take a closer look at the teams making headlines this season!</p>
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<p>1.<strong>Lafayette Lancers 14-0</strong><br>The Lancers have only dropped four sets so far this season, and excitement is building as they head to Kansas City for the MO/KAN Tournament. Their first opponents will be Bishop Miege, Lee's Summit West, and Blue Valley North. With standout players like [player_tooltip player_id='800749' first='Addy' last='Wiese'], [player_tooltip player_id='801043' first='Aubrey' last='Dumstorff'], and [player_tooltip player_id='808645' first='Emma' last='Watson'] anchoring the defense, the matchup against #2 Lee's Summit West on Saturday promises to be a thrilling showdown. </p>
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<p>2. <strong>Ozark Tigers 10-0</strong></p>
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<p>The Class 5 runners-up are off to a stellar start, having lost only one set to Jefferson City. They swept past Incarnate Word Academy and Rock Bridge, showcasing their dominance. [player_tooltip player_id='219778' first='Tara' last='Venable'], <strong>Kezzie Lopez,</strong> and Brooklyn Brownfield are leading the charge at the net, making them a formidable opponent for any team.</p>
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<p>3. <strong>Lee's Summit West Titans 8-2</strong></p>
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<p>Despite early losses to Olathe West and Blue Springs, the Titans have secured their #2 ranking with notable wins against Nixa, Marquette, St. Pius X, and Jackson. The dynamic duo of 2027's [player_tooltip player_id='446328' first='Tori' last='Massengill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='815662' first='Lauren' last='Newbold'] lead the offensive charge, while [player_tooltip player_id='813193' first='Emma' last='Friedline'] is emerging as a significant blocker. The anticipated matchup with Lafayette this weekend is one to watch closely.</p>
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<p>4. <strong>Jackson Indians 12-1</strong></p>
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<p>This year's Jackson team is proving to be one of the strongest, giving Lee's Summit West a tough battle with scores of 12-25, 25-13, 21-25. Their victories over St. Pius X, Nixa, and St. Michael demonstrate their strength. Newcomer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806736' first='Melaina' last='Haines']</strong> is quickly establishing herself as a key player, and a rematch with St. Pius X next week is set to be a battle.</p>
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<p>5. <strong>St. Dominic Crusaders 8-1</strong></p>
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<p>With wins over Blue Springs and St. James Academy, the Crusaders are firmly in the mix for Class 5. They face a challenging week ahead with games against Ursuline, Lafayette, Eureka, and St. Joseph's, which will be pivotal in determining their ranking. [player_tooltip player_id='545799' first='Emily' last='Frazier'] and <strong>Maria Nettler</strong> are leading the defensive efforts, making them tough to beat.</p>
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<p><strong>6. Summit North Broncos 13-1</strong></p>
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<p>The only blemish on the Broncos' record came from a sweep by Lafayette at the Rockwood Tournament, 22-25, 17-25. [player_tooltip player_id='357615' first='Piper' last='Bahr'] is leading the offense with 158 kills, <strong>Madilynn Beene</strong> has contributed 107 digs, and [player_tooltip player_id='485632' first='Leighton' last='Benne'] runs the offense with 363 assists. The upcoming match against Lee's Summit West is highly anticipated and could shake up the standings.</p>
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<p>7. <strong>Park Hill Trojans 6-1</strong></p>
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<p>Park Hill pulled off an impressive reverse sweep against rival Park Hill South with scores of 21-25, 22-25, 26-24, 25-23, and 15-11. They saw an outstanding offensive performance with 64 kills from 2028's [player_tooltip player_id='666872' first='Payton' last='Osegueda'], [player_tooltip player_id='778363' first='Nikyah' last='Chappell'], and 2026's [player_tooltip player_id='490206' first='Ava' last='Daneff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='222074' first='Parker' last='Kimball']. If not for a loss against St. Teresa's Academy, Park Hill would be even higher on this list.</p>
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<p>8. <strong>Ursuline Bears 7-3</strong></p>
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<p>Two of Ursuline's three losses came against ranked Illinois teams—Libertyville and St. Francis—along with a loss to St. Joseph's Academy, none of which are bad defeats. They achieved a notable sweep over St. Pius X, showcasing their potential. The 2026 class at Ursuline is particularly strong, with talents like [player_tooltip player_id='207581' first='Jillian' last='Raterman'], [player_tooltip player_id='490580' first='Katie' last='Krus'], [player_tooltip player_id='224817' first='Elizabeth' last='Koenig'], [player_tooltip player_id='490582' first='Courtney' last='Houston'], [player_tooltip player_id='490583' first='Lucy' last='Ellsworth'], and [player_tooltip player_id='224818' first='Addyson' last='Gresham'] aiming to return to the final four after a year's absence.</p>
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<p><strong>9. Hill South Panthers 8-3</strong></p>
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<p>Despite losses to Park Hill, Belton, and Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Panthers have achieved significant victories over Lansing, KS, and Shawnee Heights, KS. <strong>Ellie Gibbs </strong>is effectively running the offense, while Jillian Schuller is emerging as a dominant middle. This weekend at the MO/KAN Tournament will be a crucial test for the Panthers.</p>
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<p>10. <strong>Westminster Christian Wildcats 10-4-1</strong></p>
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<p>After starting the season with two losses, WCA has rebounded with a 10-2 run, culminating in a championship victory at the Borgia Tournament over a strong Parkway West team. The talented 2027 class, including [player_tooltip player_id='489911' first='Emory' last='Freesmeier'], [player_tooltip player_id='766296' first='Lyric' last='Hughes'], [player_tooltip player_id='830251' first='Bella' last='Blanchard'], and [player_tooltip player_id='806453' first='London' last='Frazier'], has combined for an impressive 369 kills, showcasing their offensive firepower.</p>
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As the Class 5 volleyball season heats up, several teams are making waves with impressive performances. This article highlights the top teams in the state, showcasing their achievements and what to expect as they head into key tournaments and matchups. Let's take a closer look at the teams making headlines this season!
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