Class 3 rankings.

<p>New class, the same result?  Hermann Bearcats for the title. You can’t count the Bearcats out, but several other teams are in the hunt this year. Gone from Class 3 is defending state champion Borgia and runner up Logan Rogersville. Opens up room for several public schools to make their first playoff appearances in school history.  Here’s a look at who we think are the top 10 teams at this point in the season.</p> <p>1. <strong>Hermann 9-2-3</strong></p> <p>Not much has changed for the Bearcats except for the new class.  Of course, Gracie Winkelmann and her 215 kills will power this team and have recently received help from sophomore Holly Heldt. Hosting the Hermann tourney this week and split with Class 5 Borgia in pool play. </p> <p>2. <strong>Springfield Catholic 21-1-1</strong></p> <p>Out of the gates fast, this year is the Fighting Irish. With Grace O’Reilly, [player_tooltip player_id="41807" first="Hallie" last="Cook"], and Cherie Sabini, all with 150+ kills, this team is on fire. The scary part they are all underclassmen but in the same district as Reeds Spring, which isn’t going to be easy to win. Beat the #3 ranked El Dorado Springs Bulldogs over the weekend 2-1. </p> <p>3. <strong>El Dorado Springs 10-1</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="41812" first="Tevi" last="Gurley"] and [player_tooltip player_id="102457" first="Reese" last="Schaaf"] are still at it and getting help from Macie Mays and Dani Ogle. All four will return next year for the Bulldogs. They lost to Springfield Catholic 1-2 over the weekend.  In the same district as tradition-rich Pleasant Hill Chicks.</p> <p>4. <strong>Pleasant Hill 10-4</strong></p> <p>The Chicks are at it again and getting production from seniors [player_tooltip player_id="41756" first="Tera" last="Reberry"], Maddy Nelson, and Makenzie Carlile. With a 3-2 win over Maryville and a 1-3 loss to Helias, I can see the Chicks giving El Dorado Springs a battle for the district championship.</p> <p>5. <strong>Liberty (Mountain View) 10-2-2</strong></p> <p>With their win over Blair Oaks, I give them the nob here. This team is always in the hunt come playoffs, and seniors Peyton Bush and Kelstin Roy have them ready. A date with Class 1 Lesterville on October 5^th should be an exciting matchup. </p> <p>6. <strong>Blair Oaks 14-2</strong></p> <p>The Falcons always seem to be put in a district with someone just better than them. Helias in the past, and now it seems they get stuck with Hermann. Off to another great year and led by Elsie Villmer and Kennedy Flanner Blair Oaks looks to get over the district hump.</p> <p>7. <strong>Ste. Genevieve 8-1</strong></p> <p>Dragons seem to get things going about this time each year. With a big win over conference rival Park Hills Central, the team gets big lifts from sophomore Dru Loetting, junior Abby Moore, and senior Marysa Flieg. Win over Cape Notre Dame already this year as well. </p> <p>8. <strong>Maryville 9-1</strong></p> <p>With a 3-2 loss to Pleasant Hill that tells me the Spoofhounds are legit. Serena Sundell getting 35 kills in the matchup, she’ll need more help if Maryville wants a deep push into the state playoffs.  Shouldn’t have much trouble winning their district, though. </p> <p>9. <strong>Odessa 8-0</strong></p> <p>Not much of a schedule at this point, but a date with Pleasant Hill, October 20^th, will tell how this team stacks up. Led by juniors Cali Meierarend and Emma Austin, the Bulldogs need a more challenging schedule down the road to prepare for playoffs. Last year they were 30-0 going into Sectionals and lost. </p> <p>10. <strong>Dexter 11-3</strong></p> <p>The Bearcats are taking the last spot in the rankings due mostly to the play of seniors Chloe Thurmon and Bailey Chamberlain.  Upcoming dates with Cape Notre Dame and Perryville will be key district and sectional opponents for the Bearcats at the end of the month.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>