Class 3 Preseason Rankings 1-5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3 saw&nbsp; Blair Oaks defend its title last year, and the Falcons own back-to-back titles. Blair Oaks returns the best player in Class 3, and a solid core and potentially a three-peat are in their future. Not many teams have enough firepower to upend the Falcons, except maybe the Chicks from Pleasant Hill. We have Warriors, Cougars, and Bulldogs that might damper the party; only time will tell.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Blair Oaks Falcons 33-3-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back-to-back Class 3 state champions are again in the talk for a three-peat. They lost their coach but returned the best player in Class 3 in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124226' first='Autumn' last='Bax']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150054' first='Bailey' last='Braun']</strong> returns on the outside. They must replace the libero, but they did that last year and still won the title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Pleasant Hill Chicks 26-9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aby Widhalm</strong> leads the Chicks with 418 kills to a Class 3 runner-up finish. She will have help as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='495317' first='Gabriela' last='Hanes']</strong> returns for a dual setter/hitter role, but replacing a stud libero could be challenging.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. St. Pius X KC Warriors 28-6-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150042' first='Avery' last='Ashby']</strong> racked up 473 kills last year as a junior, and classmate libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150046' first='Claire' last='Mosh']</strong> scooped up 488 digs—plenty of talent return in role positions to give the Warriors a fighting chance at a playoff return.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Lutheran St. Charles Cougars 23-16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having one of the best setters in Class 3 should help the Cougars come playoffs. <strong>Katelyn Diani – O'Day</strong> is a tough setter with enough talent coming back to put Lutheran in the mix in Class 3. A demanding schedule will help prepare them for another playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Cape Notre Dame Bulldogs 23-8-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs return two brightest stars in the 2026 class, 6'1" middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='225325' first='Kate' last='Rubel'] </strong>and setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232326' first='Claudia' last='Jones'].</strong> Notre Dame will be a young squad but potentially a tough team to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->