Previewing the Class 3 Top Contenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season in Class 3 was a real toss-up, with the championship title wide open for contenders. With Helias moving up after their championship win, this season promises a fresh slate for a new champion. Early predictions suggest that Oak Grove stands out as a top contender, but formidable teams like Saxony, Strafford, Potosi, and Mt. Vernon are poised to challenge their supremacy. Here's an early look at the top returning teams and standout players that will make Class 3 a division to watch closely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oak Grove Panthers 36-1-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Grove lost to eventual champion Helias, 5 -3, in the semifinals and finished 3rd. Not bad for a team that lost only one senior and was led by the sister duo, 2028 <strong>Paisley Hudson</strong> and 2029 <strong>Piper Hudson,</strong> who finished with 514 and 474, respectively. Four-year starter 2027 <strong>Eva Alexander</strong> and middle <strong>Keiyana Lamell</strong> will return for their final season after playing major roles last season. 2029 <strong>Ava Chrisco</strong> returns at libero after digging up 331, and 2029 sensational setter <strong>Emmy Brown</strong> will again look to dish out another 1000 assists. A beefed-up schedule could produce more losses, but I don't see any team able to slow this team down in Class 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saxony Lutheran Crusaders 18-21-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't let the record fool you; last year's 4th-place finisher went on a run to reach the final four before losing both matches at state. The team will be led again by 2028's <strong>Kinley Couch</strong> and<strong> Kendall McDowell</strong>, both big, strong hitters. Libero <strong>Lynlee Smith</strong> returns in a different jersey color. 2029's 6'2" middle <strong>Brielyn Korn</strong> returns. Opposite <strong>Kadence Turner</strong> and possibly 5 2030s, <strong>Brissa Boyd</strong>, a 6'1" middle/opposite, and <strong>Nevaeh Belcher</strong>, a 5'11" middle/opposite, are also back. Defensive specialists <strong>Addison Bartlett</strong> and <strong>Emmie Debrower</strong> could compete for the libero position. The team is young, talented, and tall, with more than 7 players over 5'10". Saxony has beefed up its schedule with West Plains, Leopold, Jackson, Valle Catholic, St. Pius X, and the opening weekend tournament in St. Joe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Potosi Trojans 28-5-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Potosi won another district title last season but fell to Saxony in the state playoffs. With the entire lineup back, Potosi is well positioned for another district title run. Do everything <strong>Eden Robart</strong> will return with over 1400 career kills and 665 digs. Also returning are 2028s<strong> Eve Litton</strong> with 345 kills and Presley Smith with 113 kills; 2027 <strong>Macyn McCarthy</strong> at libero, who brings over 1200 career digs; and setter <strong>Adalynn Gibson</strong> with over 1100 career assists. The key will be getting production from someone other than the big three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strafford Indians 29-5-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strafford returns eight of 11 players from last season, including two of the top four hitters, led by Kansas commit <strong>Ava Lane</strong>, who finished with 316 kills, 241 digs, and 433 assists. The lefty opposite/setter is legit and can score in a ton of ways. Middle <strong>Trista Vanhorn</strong> also returns, with 298 kills and 77 blocks from last fall. 2027 all-conference libero <strong>Brooklynne Lumley</strong> will again wear the libero jersey, and 2028s <strong>Reese Coulter</strong> and <strong>Ainsley Blackburn</strong> will return as six-rotation outsides. A date with Rogersville at the end of September could have district seeding implications.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Vernon Mountaineers 26-8-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 3 runners-up make the list, returning a solid core led by <strong>Ziah Schmutz</strong>. The stat stuffer finished last year with 423 kills, 222 digs, and 434 assists. 2028 <strong>Ruth Fish</strong> will return after leading the team in assists with 502. 2027 middle <strong>Savannah Dampf</strong> returns after leading the team in blocks, and 2028 pin hitter <strong>Kenley</strong> <strong>Eidemiller</strong> will also return. The Mountaineers' key this season will be replacing the libero and adding a strong pin hitter. Early-season tests against Webb City and Carl Junction should show how strong this team is early on and what it could become by late October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Osage Indians 20-7-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This could be the year Osage wins a district title, as the championship factor could help them. With 2027's <strong>Avery Sperling, Claire Sallee</strong>, and <strong>Delaney Hague</strong> returning on offense, the offense should be potent, with 661 kills. 2027 <strong>Grace Ribaudo</strong> will once again control the offense and will look to reach the 2000-assist milestone before the season is over. The key to success will be finding a solid first-contact libero to replace the one lost to graduation. A key date with Blair Oaks and Eldon could play into the district seeds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->