Class 3 Final Four Preview

Valle Catholic Lady Warriors 31-4-3 vs. Blair Oaks Falcons 33-4 Should be a barn burner for the first semifinal game in Class 3. Both teams are senior-dominated, and both have solid defense and passing. Both feature a dominant hitter; Valle middle is a team leader in kills, while Blair Oaks is a lefty sophomore right-side hitter. Valle finished second in Class 2 last year, and Blair Oaks lost in districts. Blair Oaks is making its first state final four.   Common Opponents Helias Catholic Valle lost 14-25, 25-20, 16-25 Blair Oaks lost 25-27, 20-25, 25-20, 20-25 Potosi Valle won 25-13, 25-17, 25-12 Blair Oaks won 25-18, 25-20 Rock Bridge Valle lost 18-25, 10-25 Blair Oaks lost 29-31, 24-26, 20-25   Key Players: Kennedy Flanner (2022) | Blair Oaks Over the last couple of years the season has ended with an upset. Senior outside hitter as finally reach the final four. Smart outside likes to use the off-hand on the blockers or tip over the block and down. [player_tooltip player_id="124226" first="Autumn" last="Bax"] (2024) | Blair Oaks Heart and soul of the offense for the Falcons, the lefty right-hander has put down 372 kills and can hit a nasty line or sharp crosscourt shot. They will go to her often on the right for quick points. [player_tooltip player_id="150016" first="Anna" last="Wekenborg"] (2023) | Blair Oaks The middle 5’9 junior is currently 3rd on the team in kills, but her blocking makes her a dangerous defender. Mia Weiler (2022) | Valle The libero for the Warriors will need to be on her game against Blair Oaks right-side hitters. If she can keep the line shot or sharp crosscourt in play, then Valle should be moving on to the finals. [player_tooltip player_id="119213" first="Ella" last="Bertram"] (2022) | Valle Leads the team in kills and blocks with 405 and 135, respectively. Dangerous middle that gets the ball often and will need a monstrous blocking match to help neutralize Blair Oaks pins. Hailey Weibrecht (2022) | Valle Another key player for the Warriors will need to have a hot hand to keep Valle going when Bertram is out. If she can get double-digit kills and some key blocks, look for the Warriors to play for the title again. Prediction: Valle in 4 because they’ve got the final four experiences under them and are hungry after losing in 5 last year. Blair Oaks should give Valle all they can handle, and if they can exploit the defense of Valle, then it should be a battle. Strafford Indians 29-3-3 vs. Notre Dame de Sion Storm 17-14 Don’t be fooled by the record for the Storm because they play a demanding schedule, and most of those losses were ones you would bet they’d lose. They beat Pleasant Hill twice this season which should say something, and Odessa in the quarterfinals 3-2. Strafford beat Forsyth in sectionals and then a minor upset by beating Springfield Catholic, who I had as the number 1 team in Class 3, but had Strafford #2. Not only did they beat Springfield Catholic, but they did it a little easier than I thought they would have 25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 25-22.   Common Opponents: El Dorado Springs Strafford 3-0 Notre Dame de Sion lost 0-3   Key Players: Christa Duffel (2022) | Strafford The mean middle comes to play every single point and does it with passion. A power hitter that can use the block, or if one on 1, she’ll crush it, so the Storm will need to double block her to win the semifinal, but Duffel is hard to stop. Halle Forester (2025) | Strafford She might be small, but she is mighty, and the Indians will need a big game out of the freshman to keep the middle open for Duffel. Her defensive game is also going to be critical. Emma Mullings (2022) | Strafford She owns the back row for the Indians, and to watch the smooth passing diving libero play is a pleasure. She will need a big weekend for a state title, and she’ll do whatever is needed to get it. Bridgette Conner (2022) | Sion The 5’8 outside hitter hits a high ball and uses the blockers exceptionally well. She was instrumental in the quarterfinal win over Odessa. She will need double-digit kills to help the Storm get by Strafford. Ava Lynn (2025) | Sion A 5’11 freshman right-side will need to torch the Indians as she did against Odessa. She puts up a nice block and loves her line shot. Couple more years, and the kid will be brutal on the right. Anna Sheedy (2022) | Sion Ok, so the Storm has the size advantage, and this 6’1 outside will be tasked with helping to contain Duffel. Another player for the Storm loves the line shot and uses the block well with her high contact point.   Prediction: Strafford is having a great season, and I can’t see them stopping in the semifinal anyway. They did beat who I thought would win it all, Springfield Catholic. They have size and speed with a libero that won’t quit. I don’t know enough about Sion, but they played a demanding schedule, and anything can happen at the final four. Strafford wins it 3-0.