Class 3 Preseason Rankings 1-5
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Class 3 saw 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…
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Continue ReadingClass 3 saw 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.
1. Blair Oaks Falcons 33-3-1
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 Autumn Bax Autumn Bax 5'11" | RS Blair Oaks | 2024 State #188 Nation MO , and Bailey Braun Bailey Braun 5'10" | OH Blair Oaks | 2024 State MO returns on the outside. They must replace the libero, but they did that last year and still won the title.
2. Pleasant Hill Chicks 26-9
Aby Widhalm leads the Chicks with 418 kills to a Class 3 runner-up finish. She will have help as Gabriela Hanes Gabriela Hanes S Pleasant Hill | 2024 State MO returns for a dual setter/hitter role, but replacing a stud libero could be challenging.
3. St. Pius X KC Warriors 28-6-1
Avery Ashby Avery Ashby 5'10" | OH St. Pius X | 2024 State MO racked up 473 kills last year as a junior, and classmate libero Claire Mosh Claire Mosh 5'6" | DS/L St. Pius X | 2024 State MO scooped up 488 digs—plenty of talent return in role positions to give the Warriors a fighting chance at a playoff return.
4. Lutheran St. Charles Cougars 23-16
Having one of the best setters in Class 3 should help the Cougars come playoffs. Katelyn Diani – O’Day 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.
5. Cape Notre Dame Bulldogs 23-8-4
The Bulldogs return two brightest stars in the 2026 class, 6’1″ middle Kate Rubel Kate Rubel 6'0" | MB Cape Notre Dame | 2026 State MO and setter Claudia Jones Claudia Jones 5'9" | S Cape Notre Dame | 2026 State MO . Notre Dame will be a young squad but potentially a tough team to beat.