Class 3 Preseason Rankings 1-5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 3 is a little harder to predict rankings because the success factor comes into play more than for Class 1 and 2. Blair Oaks returns enough to be dangerous again, and Stafford and Springfield Catholic could sneak in there and win it all. Here is a look at my top five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. <strong>Blair Oaks Falcons 35-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defending Class 3 Champions return a solid core and one of the best 2024 players in the state. With the taste of success comes more pressure, but I think this team has what it takes to repeat. The key for the team will be finding the replacements at setter and libero because those were significant losses but doable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='124226' first='Autumn' last='Bax'] 414 kills and 58 blocks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='150016' first='Anna' last='Wekenborg'] 199 kills 56 blocks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='150054' first='Bailey' last='Braun'] 153 kills and 171 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. <strong>Strafford Indians 31-4-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stafford made the title match but couldn't stop Blair Oaks in a 0-3 sweep. Lost from that team is the libero and dominant middle, returning five with title experience. The positive is the return of one of the best setters in Class 3. Stafford has enough returning that late October could be a magical time for the Indians.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='150023' first='Abby' last='Chadwell'] 111 kills and 1120 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophia Frerking 259 kills and 42 blocks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashley Suter 208 kills and 243 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. <strong>Springfield Catholic Fighting Irish 32-5-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Catholic will have to replace the guns at the net but have plenty returning dangerous. A loss in the state playoffs to Strafford 1-3 was a letdown for the team's talent last year. Gone from that team are three big hitters, but the positive is they return one of the best lefty hitters in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='123460' first='Grace' last='O'Reilly'] 363 kills and 201 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='485510' first='Kennedy' last='Hartman'] 219 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ava Walters 1007 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. <strong>El Dorado Springs Bulldogs 34-3-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lost from last season are two of the program's best combo setters/hitters, but the cupboard isn't bare. The Bulldogs will look for redemption after the loss to Springfield Catholic in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macie Mays 245 kills, 75 blocks and 238 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='195382' first='Neely' last='Schaaf'] 75 kills and 319 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='493041' first='Alexis' last='Collins'] 131 kills and 305 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. <strong>Odessa Bulldogs 32-4-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning five with significant playing time last year will be crucial for Odessa to continue the success over the last couple of years. A 2-3 upset of Sion was the ending of the Bulldog's final four hopes last year. A new year awaits, and success should still be there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='214757' first='Peyton' last='Gross'] 196 kills and 249 digs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lilly Malizzi 598 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='214765' first='Lexi' last='Adamec'] 166 kills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->