Class 3 Quarterfinal Preview: Final Four in Sight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four quarterfinal matchups will decide who advances to the Class 3 Final Four. Undefeated Potosi faces a dangerous Burroughs team, while Borgia and Blair Oaks meet in a matchup of experience and emerging talent. Sullivan and Nevada are each one win from a historic first Final Four trip, and Oak Grove looks to keep its title hopes alive after last year's third-place finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 1: Potosi 37-0-1 vs.</strong> Burroughs 20-8-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Potosi got revenge on Saxony Lutheran, which eliminated the Trojans in last year's playoffs on the way to a fourth-place finish. Potosi won the sectional match 25-23, 25-15, 15-25, 25-20. Burroughs had a more straightforward path, sweeping Lutheran South 25-13, 25-15, 25-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> None. <strong>Head-to-head:</strong> No previous meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Potosi is looking to return to the Final Four after winning the state title two years ago. <strong>Eden Robart</strong> led the sectional win with 24 kills and eight digs. <strong>Eve Litton</strong> added 11 kills and seven digs, while <strong>Presley Smith</strong> had six kills. <strong>Adalynn Gibson</strong> recorded 40 assists, and <strong>Macyn McCarthy </strong>had 23 digs. Robart, a 2027, has 2,134 career kills; Gibson, a 2027, has 2,162 career assists; and McCarthy, a 2027, has more than 1,900 career digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burroughs has a strong group of its own. 2027 setter <strong>Kaitlyn Ahn</strong> had 35 assists in the sectional win. 2028 pin hitter <strong>Ries Schnuck</strong> finished with 16 kills and a .258 shooting percentage. 2030 <strong>Salem Rhodes</strong> added eight kills, 2029 <strong>Penelope Glosier</strong> had five, and 2030 <strong>Millie Tomlinson</strong> had six. Defensively, <strong>Sophie Zhang</strong> and <strong>Mia Schactman</strong> combined for 15 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> This could be a terrific battle, with both teams featuring dangerous pin hitters. Potosi has Robart and Litton, while Burroughs counters with Schnuck and Rhodes. Glosier gives Burroughs an edge in the middle, Potosi has the libero advantage, and both setters are strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The match could come down to passing and defense. Potosi gets the edge in both, along with the advantage of senior leadership. The Trojans win 3-1 and reach their second Final Four in three years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 2:</strong> Borgia 25-13-1 <strong>vs. Blair Oaks 25-11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Borgia swept Lutheran St. Charles 25-23, 25-14, 25-23. Blair Oaks also swept, beating Southern Boone 25-22, 25-21, 26-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> Borgia went 5-2; Blair Oaks went 4-3. Both lost to West Plains 0-2. Borgia lost to Rogersville 0-2, while Blair Oaks beat Rogersville 3-0. Borgia beat Jefferson City 2-1, while Blair Oaks lost 0-3. <strong>Head-to-head:</strong> No previous meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> A win would send Borgia to its 22nd Final Four and give the program a chance to pursue its 12th state title. The Knights last reached the Final Four in 2020, when they competed in Class 5. Middle hitter <strong>Kaiya Weber</strong>, a 2027, has taken on different roles and been a key part of Borgia's run. Division I setter <strong>Gabby Schwoeppe</strong> led the offense in the win over Lutheran St. Charles. 2027 libero <strong>Cece Becker</strong> and defensive specialist <strong>Mya Riegel</strong> help anchor the defense and passing game. <strong>Emma Hurst</strong> delivered clutch kills in the sectional, while <strong>Audrey Hotz</strong> can make an impact in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blair Oaks is seeking a return to the Final Four after winning three straight state titles from 2021 through 2023. Middle blockers <strong>Ainsley Stegeman</strong> and <strong>Audrey Buschjost </strong>have combined for 110 blocks. 2027 libero <strong>Kendall Wood</strong> averages 4.7 digs per set, with 2029 pin hitter <strong>Hannah Lackman</strong> close behind at 3.1. The setters <strong>Laney Toebben</strong> and <strong>Avery Trinklein</strong> have combined for 1,010 assists and are strong defenders. Blair Oaks starts one freshman, two sophomores, three juniors, and one senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Borgia brings history and experience, while Blair Oaks is young and talented. Both teams lean more on their pins than their middles, so the middle blockers' ability to slow down the opposing attack could be decisive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the most evenly matched quarterfinals, but Blair Oaks looks like the stronger defensive team. The Falcons win in five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 3: Sullivan 30-7</strong> vs. Nevada 25-5-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sullivan rallied from two sets down to beat Strafford 19-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-10. Nevada defeated Clever 18-25, 25-17, 25-15, 25-10 to return to the quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> None. <strong>Head-to-head:</strong> No previous meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Sullivan is enjoying the best season in school history, with a program-record number of wins and a chance to reach its first Final Four. 2027 <strong>Karlee Head</strong> is a key all-around contributor, with 294 digs, 538 assists, and 140 kills. The Eagles have two strong pin hitters in <strong>Reya Rochleau</strong> and <strong>Payton Bray</strong>. Middles <strong>Ava Kirk</strong> and <strong>Gentry Weirich</strong> help keep opposing blockers honest and create opportunities for Sullivan's talented pins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nevada setter <strong>Cora Braden</strong> has had an outstanding season. Defensive specialists <strong>Halle Hawks </strong>and <strong>Allison Forsythe</strong>, along with libero <strong>Alatna Snyder</strong>, have played well on defense. Left-handed opposite <strong>Anna Swarnes </strong>has a dangerous line shot, and 2029 pin hitter <strong>Natalie Hope</strong> brings a powerful attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> I haven't seen either team in person, but on video, Sullivan looks like a team that understands its roles and executes them well. The Eagles are already having the best season in program history, so why not keep the dream alive? Sullivan wins another five-set match to reach the Final Four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinal 4: Oak Grove 29-3 vs.</strong> St. Pius X 30-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Grove swept Notre Dame de Sion 25-17, 25-14, 25-17. St. Pius X also swept Savannah, though the Warriors had to work for the win, 26-24, 25-7, 25-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common opponents:</strong> Both teams went 7-1, with each losing to St. Michael in a sweep. <strong>Head-to-head:</strong> No previous meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Oak Grove has been one of my top Class 3 teams since finishing third last season. Sisters Piper and Paisley Hudson have combined for 832 kills and rank among the team's top passers. They also lead the team in digs with 581 and 112, respectively. 2027 <strong>Eva Alexander</strong> and <strong>Keiyana Lamell</strong> have been key contributors, while 2029 <strong>Marlee Wilkinson</strong> is having a breakout season. Setters <strong>Emmy Brown </strong>and <strong>Liv</strong> <strong>Schubert</strong> have combined for 880 assists, and 2029 libero <strong>Ava Chrisco</strong> provides a steady presence in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Pius X is seeking its ninth Final Four appearance and first since 2015. 2027 middle hitter <strong>Mikayla Fox</strong> leads the team with 354 kills and a .463 hitting percentage. 2027 setter <strong>Maddy Collignon</strong> has more than 900 assists, and 2027 defensive specialist <strong>Presleigh Gross</strong> has 147 digs. The Warriors also have young contributors in 2029 <strong>Gianna Termini</strong>, with 271 kills, and 2030 pin hitter<strong> Piper Christensen</strong>, with 158 kills. 2028 defenders <strong>Alaina Ortiz</strong> and<strong> Bernadette Shields</strong> will need big performances if St. Pius X hopes to pull off the upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Oak Grove has too much power on the pins with the Hudson sisters. If the Panthers can keep Fox from having a monster night in the middle, they should come away with a close sweep. Oak Grove wins 3-0 and keeps its hopes of returning to the Final Four—and finishing unfinished business from last year—alive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->