Class 3 Districts 1-8: Matchup Preview and Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 3 features several clear title contenders that have distinguished themselves from the rest of the field. However, it will be intriguing to see which teams can pull off significant upsets as they strive to advance toward winning districts and securing their place in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kennett 20-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saxony Lutheran 14-18</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fredericktown 14-16-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dexter 13-11-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Madrid County Central 12-10-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doniphan 8-17-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal 1: Kennett </strong>vs. Dexter<br>In this matchup, Kennett will face Dexter, and I predict that [player_tooltip player_id='838993' first='Tayja' last='Carter'] will dominate in the middle, leading Kennett to a 3-1 victory to advance to the finals. While Kennett doesn't provide specific stats, their highlight videos showcase some impressive plays.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal 2: </strong>Fredericktown vs<strong>. Saxony</strong><br>Fredericktown will need more than just [player_tooltip player_id='544683' first='Maggie' last='Wood'] to provide offense in this match. Saxony is a much stronger team than their record suggests, having faced a challenging schedule for a Class 3 team. I believe [player_tooltip player_id='828562' first='Kinley' last='Couch'] will lead Saxony to victory, with a final score of 3-1 over the Black Cats.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals: </strong>Kennett vs.<strong> Saxony</strong><br>In the championship match, Kennett and Saxony will meet again. Their last encounter ended in a close 29-27, 25-13, 25-23 win for Saxony, thanks to an outstanding performance from [player_tooltip player_id='729500' first='Kendall' last='McDowell']. I predict that Saxony will claim the district championship with a 3-1 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Potosi 26-4-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ste. Genevieve 18-11-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North County 15-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame STL 12-16-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428790' first='Park' last='Hills'] Central 5-16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Herculaneum 7-16-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal 1: Potosí </strong>vs. Notre Dame<br>Potosi is on a roll with seven straight wins, and I predict they will steamroll Notre Dame with a decisive 3-0 victory.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal 2: Ste. Genevieve </strong>vs. North County<br>In a previous matchup, Ste. Genevieve and North County battled it out in five sets, with North County narrowly winning 15-11 in the fifth. During that match, <strong>Olivia Scherffius</strong> and <strong>Cadence Chrisco</strong> combined for an impressive 32 kills. However, this time, I anticipate [player_tooltip player_id='805437' first='Emma' last='Gegg'] will lead her team to victory, resulting in another close five-set match.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals: Potosi vs. </strong>Ste. Genevieve<br>As the defending Class 3 champions, Potosi will heavily rely on [player_tooltip player_id='809606' first='Eden' last='Robart'] to guide them back to the Final Four. I predict they will start their journey with a solid 3-1 victory to secure the district title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lutheran South 5-19-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maplewood 16-5-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bayless 8-13-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gateway 10-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hancock 6-11-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals: Lutheran South vs. Maplewood</strong><br>Let's get right to it. Lutheran South enters as the top seed, and it's clear why — they are an excellent team that consistently faces tough competition, which has only made them stronger. While Maplewood is a solid team, it can't quite match Lutheran South's caliber. I predict that the Lancers will dominate the match, with <strong>Claire Nelson</strong> and <strong>Aliya Bausch </strong>leading the charge. Expect a clean sweep as Lutheran South takes the victory over Maplewood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cardinal Ritter 13-10-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lift for Life 13-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro 14-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Normandy 1-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jennings 4-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vashon 2-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals: Metro vs. Cardinal Ritter</strong><br>In the championship match, Metro will rely on the talents of <strong>Lucy Divis</strong>, a powerful hitter on the left pin. Her skills are expected to play a crucial role in helping Metro cruise to a district championship victory over Cardinal Ritter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orchard Farm 15-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Visitation 10-12-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MICDS 15-17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Charles West 7-12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Villa Duchesne 8-13-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>STEAM Academy 18-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal 1: Orchard Farm </strong>vs. St. Charles West<br>Orchard Farm is set to secure another sweep against St. Charles West, advancing confidently to the title match.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal 2: </strong>Visitation vs<strong>. MICDS</strong><br>This rematch follows a highly contested earlier meeting where Visitation won 3-1. In that game, Sofia Gunther delivered 14 kills, while [player_tooltip player_id='828205' first='Dorothy' last='Durrill'] shined for MICDS with 15 kills on 20 swings. The outcome will hinge on which team can effectively pass, play solid defense, and get their middles involved. If Durrill can get 30+ swings, MICDS stands a strong chance, but that depends on their passing game. I'm predicting MICDS will win in four sets.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals: MICDS </strong>vs. Orchard Farm<br>In the championship match, MICDS and Orchard Farm will meet for the first time this season. [player_tooltip player_id='774881' first='JaKai' last='Robinson'] will contribute from the pin, and [player_tooltip player_id='828205' first='Dorothy' last='Durrill'] will create challenges for the Orchard Farm defense in the middle. Once again, the outcome will depend on whether MICDS can establish its middles early and often. I'm taking MICDS to win in four sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Winfield 16-10-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fulton 12-16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Veritas Christian 10-16-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wright City 14-9-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bowling Green 4-17-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mexico 2-18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal 1: Winfield </strong>vs. Wright City<br>Winfield is expected to cruise past Wright City with a decisive victory.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal 2: Veritas </strong>vs. Fulton<br>In what could be a surprising turn, I predict Veritas will upset Fulton with a 3-1 win.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals: Winfield </strong>vs. Veritas<br>In the championship match, Winfield will outmatch Veritas, leveraging the impressive performances of [player_tooltip player_id='542220' first='Marlie' last='Karsten'] and [player_tooltip player_id='783476' first='Amelia' last='Conrad']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boonville 18-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tolton 14-12-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hallsville 18-11-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirksville 10-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Boone 10-18-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Centralia 9-17-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal 1: Southern Boone </strong>vs. Kirksville<br>Southern Boone is set to get past Kirksville with a convincing 3-0 sweep, earning the chance to face #1 Boonville. In their previous matchup, Southern Boone already swept Boonville, thanks to 10 kills from [player_tooltip player_id='845708' first='Kate' last='Taylor']. I expect similar results, with Southern Boone taking a close 3-2 victory this time.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal 2: Tolton </strong>vs. Hallsville<br>Tolton and Hallsville will meet for the fourth time this season, with Tolton holding a 2-1 edge in their previous encounters. With the standout performances of 2028's [player_tooltip player_id='808184' first='Lucy' last='Wanserski'], <strong>Reese Windsor</strong>, and <strong>Cate Thompson</strong>, Tolton will come alive and secure the win.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals: </strong>Southern Boone vs<strong>. Tolton</strong><br>In a thrilling recent matchup, Tolton edged out Southern Boone with a nail-biting score of 22-25, 25-22, 25-16, 20-25, 17-15. I predict that Tolton will advance once again, winning the championship with a 3-1 score over Southern Boone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Helias 30-1-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eldon 21-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>California 19-8-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Osage 19-6-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blair Oaks 14-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Versailles 5-20-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal 1: Helias </strong>vs. Osage<br>Helias is expected to sweep Osage with a decisive 3-0 victory in their first meeting of the season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Semifinal 2: </strong>Eldon vs.<strong> California</strong><br>In a rematch, Eldon and California will face off again after Eldon previously won 18-25, 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 15-11 earlier this season. However, I believe California will get its revenge this time, winning 3-2, led by standout performances from [player_tooltip player_id='807112' first='Reagan' last='Moseley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='791558' first='Amelia' last='Motley'].</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals: Helias </strong>vs. California<br>Helias has already secured a convincing 25-19, 25-21, 25-15 victory over California, driven by a double-double performance from [player_tooltip player_id='808236' first='Kambell' last='Winegar']. I predict that Helias will be too strong for California once again, sweeping to claim the district title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->