Class 3 top returning statistical leaders — Part 1

<p>Class 3 should be another class that is wide open this year for a new champion.   With the top 3 state finishers getting hit hard with graduation, this would open things wide for Springfield Catholic,  El Dorado, or Eldon. We will find out soon enough if Springfield Catholic was pushed up a class or stays in Class 3.</p> <p>Here’s a look at some of the top returning leaders.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="102445" first="Vanessa" last="Polk"]-Senior-John Burroughs</strong></p> <p>Unfortunately for Polk, they had to fight through a short season but still had one to remember.  Losing to Hermann 1 win away from the final four, Polk is one hard player to look past. The Pepperdine recruit finished last year with 180 kills on 398 attempts and season-high 26 kills. Look for this season to be a dominating year for [player_tooltip player_id="102445" first="Vanessa" last="Polk"].</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="102451" first="Caroline" last="Beckmann"]-Senior-Eldon</strong></p> <p>The 5’11 hammer for the Mustangs had a great 2020 season. Ending with 516 kills, hit .359%, 263 digs, and a season-high of 35 kills in a 3-2 win over Southern Boone.  Beckmann should surpass 1000 kills in the first half of the season.  Finished 2^nd in kills for the year in Class 3. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123460" first="Grace" last="O’Reilly"]-Junior-Springfield Catholic</strong></p> <p>Catholic finished 4^th in the state for Class 3 last season.  With a quartet of talented hitters, O’Reilly led them as a sophomore with 359 kills and 252 digs. The lefty had a season-high 21 kills in a loss to 2-3 loss to Mt. Vernon.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41812" first="Tevi" last="Gurley"]- [player_tooltip player_id="102457" first="Reese" last="Schaaf"]-Seniors-El Dorado Springs</strong></p> <p>The hitting and setting tandem has led the Bulldogs the first three seasons and will be relied on to do the same this year. Not a lot of programs will have a setter/right side duo as good as these two.  [player_tooltip player_id="41812" first="Tevi" last="Gurley"], the stat stuffer, completed her junior year with 516 assists, 66 aces, 303 digs, and 332 kills. [player_tooltip player_id="102457" first="Reese" last="Schaaf"] had just as good a year finishing with 440 assists, 293 digs, and 320 kills.  [player_tooltip player_id="41812" first="Tevi" last="Gurley"], for her career, has 808 kills, 1192 assists, and 690 digs. [player_tooltip player_id="102457" first="Reese" last="Schaaf"]’s career kills 804, 1078 assists, and 505 digs.  The fierce duo looks to break through and win a district title in their last high school season. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119191" first="Cherie" last="Sabini"]-[player_tooltip player_id="41807" first="Hallie" last="Cook"] Seniors-Springfield Catholic</strong></p> <p>This Irish team is loaded with talent, and Sabini and Cook team up with [player_tooltip player_id="123460" first="Grace" last="O’Reilly"] for a fantastic trio. The duo was part of a 4th place team in Class 3 last year and should again compete for championships in Class 3 or Class 4 if they get moved up. Sabini finished with 306 kills and 61 blocks while Cook put down 296 kills and 337 digs.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Olivia Witt-Junior-Sullivan</strong></p> <p>A bright spot on a disappointing season for the Eagles was the 5’8 outside hitter. She completed the season with 291 kills and 274 digs to lead her team. Season-high 24 kills in a 3-2 win over St. Clair in the district finals.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Rylee McClintock-Senior-Cape Notre Dame</strong></p> <p>Another solid player coming out of the Notre Dame program had its season cut short in the 2-3 loss to Dexter in the district finals and finished with 284 kills and 467 digs. Season-high 21 kills in a 3-1 win over Dexter. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119190" first="Ella" last="Lewis"]-Senior-California</strong></p> <p>The 5’11 middle had another fine season for the Pintos finishing with 313 kills and 41 blocks.  Season-high of 20 kills in a 3-2 win over Southern Boone.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Cameryn Cassity-Senior-Mt. Vernon</strong></p> <p>The 5’9 senior helped guide the Mountaineers to 1 win away from the final four losing to Catholic 0-3. A team they had beaten 2 out of 4 tries but lost when I mattered most. She finished her junior year with 283 kills and 33 blocks. Season-high 19 kills happened twice during the season. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>