Class 3 Top Contenders and Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 3 volleyball race is taking shape, and several teams are making strong cases for a deep postseason run. From unbeaten teams dominating their schedules to experienced programs battling through tough tournaments, the division is full of contenders—and plenty of players ready to make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Potosi Trojans — 17-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Potosi is one of the hottest teams in the state. The Trojans have collected several impressive wins and have dropped just one set all season, coming against Hillsboro.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They recently swept St. Pius X, Winona, Blair Oaks, and Rogersville, but their biggest tests are still ahead. Matches against Valle Catholic, Farmington, and Ste. Genevieve, along with the Perryville Tournament, should clearly show where Potosi stands heading into the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next month, the Trojans will also have to navigate the always-competitive MAAA Conference Tournament. If they keep playing at this level, Potosi could enter district play with very few losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans have plenty of firepower at the net, led by 2028s <strong>Eve Litton, Brenely Thornton</strong>, and <strong>Presley</strong> <strong>Smith</strong>. Defensively, 2030 <strong>Ruby Thebeau</strong> has played a major role. Potosi has also faced tough district competition, including Perryville and Ste. Genevieve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hollister Tigers — 22-0-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hollister has been nearly untouchable, remaining unbeaten while being pushed beyond three sets only three times. Although the Tigers' schedule has not been especially demanding, they do own a quality win over Cabool, a team previously ranked among the state's top five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest test on the horizon comes October 1 against Strafford. That matchup should provide a valuable measuring stick for a Hollister team looking to prove it belongs among Class 3's elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers are receiving strong contributions from 2027s <strong>Bella Cavins, Dreanna Kingore</strong>, and <strong>Alyssa Danielson</strong>. At the same time, a talented group of 2030s—including <strong>Lily Hodges, Heidi Gundry,</strong> and<strong> Lynlee Miller</strong>—is beginning to attract attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When district seeding arrives, Hollister should be in an excellent position to claim the top seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oak Grove Panthers — 13-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Grove has taken on a more challenging schedule this season, and the Panthers already have more losses than last year. However, both setbacks came during the MoKan Tournament against high-level competition: St. Thomas Aquinas from Kansas and Class 5 Blue Springs South.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers also own a strong victory over Class 4 Hannibal. Upcoming matches against Warrensburg, Odessa, and St. Michael will offer additional opportunities to build momentum before the Lee's Summit North Tournament during the first weekend of October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Grove still has the talent and experience to make another run at the Final Four. 2027, middle <strong>Keiyana Lamell</strong> is hitting .471, while 2028 standout <strong>Paisley Hudson</strong> recently surpassed 1,000 career kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Pius X Warriors — 16-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Pius X has put together an impressive season, with its only losses coming against Smithville and Kansas powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. Class 5 Liberty and Lansing, Kansas, both pushed the Warriors to five sets, giving Pius valuable experience in tight matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The schedule will remain challenging, with upcoming contests against St. Michael, St. Teresa's, and Hayden Catholic from Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors' young talent could be the key to their postseason success. The 2030 and 2029 group of <strong>Leah Scott, Gianna Termini, Avery Smith</strong>, and <strong>Piper Christensen</strong> has combined for 340 kills and 112 digs. Their continued development could determine just how far St. Pius X goes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saxony Lutheran Crusaders — 15-2-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saxony Lutheran remains one of my Class 3 picks despite going 3-2 over its last five matches. A five-set loss to Valle Catholic is hardly a bad result, and the Crusaders' 1-2 loss to Hillsboro came in the championship match of the Dig for Life Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rivalry match against Jackson awaits later this month, followed by the SEMO Conference Tournament in early October. Those matches should help reveal whether Saxony Lutheran can regain its earlier momentum before districts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders continue to get strong production from 2029 <strong>Kadence Turner</strong>, 2028 <strong>Kinley Couch</strong>, 2029 <strong>Brielyn Korn</strong>, and 2030 <strong>Brissa Boyd</strong>, who lead the team in kills. If that group continues to deliver, Saxony Lutheran will remain a dangerous postseason opponent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->