Class 3 Semifinals and Championship Preview:

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The excitement is palpable as we gear up for the Class 3 volleyball championships! With strong contenders battling it out in the semifinals, this year's tournament has showcased impressive talent and determination. The semifinals feature the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders facing off against the Mt. Vernon Mountaineers, while the Oak Grove Panthers take on the Helias Crusaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each team has fought hard to reach this stage, with memorable performances advancing them. Saxony Lutheran looks to overcome a challenging season against the formidable Mt. Vernon, which has proven their mettle with a balanced attack. Meanwhile, the undefeated Oak Grove Panthers aim to continue their dominant run against a resilient Helias squad that has also enjoyed a successful season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we look ahead to the thrilling matchups, here's a closer look at the semifinals, key players to watch, predictions, and what's at stake as these teams vie for a spot in the championship match!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal 1: </strong>Saxony Lutheran Crusaders (18-19) vs<strong>. <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Mt. Vernon Mountaineers (25-7-2)</mark></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Saxony Lutheran:</strong> Defeated Lutheran South 25-17, 25-20, 25-14.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Mt. Vernon:</strong> Beat Sullivan 25-18, 27-25, 27-25.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head to Head:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>No prior meetings.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponent:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Both teams lost to West Plains in straight sets.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Saxony Lutheran:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827723' first='Ryleigh' last='Manche'] (2026):</strong> 6'0" - Middle</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Brielyn Korn (2029):</strong> 6'1" - Middle - No stats reported</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828562' first='Kinley' last='Couch'] (2028):</strong> 6'0" - Outside - No stats reported</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='729500' first='Kendall' last='McDowell'] (2028):</strong> 5'10" - Opposite/Setter - No stats reported</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Mt. Vernon:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464561' first='Ziah' last='Schmutz'] (2027):</strong> 5'9" - Opposite/Setter - 308 kills, 295 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828470' first='Camryn' last='Cornell'] (2026):</strong> 5'8" - Outside - 254 kills, 224 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801125' first='Averee' last='Swillum'] (2026):</strong> 5'2" - Libero - 295 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='844386' first='Savannah' last='Dampf'] (2027):</strong> 5'10" - Middle - 161 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Saxony Lutheran has had a challenging season and will face a formidable opponent in Mt. Vernon. With a more balanced attack and key players like [player_tooltip player_id='464561' first='Ziah' last='Schmutz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='828470' first='Camryn' last='Cornell'], Mt. Vernon is poised to advance. I predict Mt. Vernon wins the match 3-1, ending the Crusaders' season in the semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Semifinal 2: <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Oak Grove Panthers (35-0-1)</mark> vs. Helias Crusaders (34-1-1)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Oak Grove:</strong> Swept Nevada 25-14, 25-7, 25-18.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Helias:</strong> Defeated Winfield  25-12, 25-11, 25-21.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head to Head:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>No prior meetings.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Both teams swept all five common opponents: Battle, Hickman, Lone Jack, Maryville, and Smith-Cotton.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Oak Grove:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='556998' first='Paisley' last='Hudson'] (2028):</strong> 5'10" - Outside - 432 kills, 245 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557372' first='Piper' last='Hudson'] (2029):</strong> 5'11" - Opposite - 387 kills, 261 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485574' first='Eva' last='Alexander'] (2027):</strong> 5'7" - Outside - 162 kills, 102 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ava Chrisco (2029):</strong> 5'5" - Libero - 265 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='883474' first='Emmy' last='Brown'] (2029):</strong> 5'7" - Setter - 866 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Helias:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808236' first='Kambell' last='Winegar'] (2026):</strong> 5'9" - Outside - 261 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Zoey Hake (2027):</strong> 5'11" - Setter/Opposite - 176 kills, 301 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828196' first='Claire' last='Carel'] (2026):</strong> 5'11" - Middle - 160 kills, 104 blocks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809438' first='Sophie' last='Verslues'] (2026):</strong> 5'6" - Libero - 413 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357621' first='Sydney' last='Suthoff'] (2026):</strong> 5'10" - Setter - 514 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> This matchup is expected to be a championship-caliber battle, given both teams' stellar records. Oak Grove has dominated, going 91-3 in sets, while Helias has been equally impressive at 89-9. I predict Oak Grove will edge out Helias in a thrilling five-set match, winning 3-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3rd Place <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Match: Helias Crusaders (34-1-1)</mark> vs. Saxony Lutheran Crusaders (18-20)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Saxony had a solid run this season but will face a tough challenge after Helias's semifinal loss. I predict Helias will bounce back and sweep Saxony, securing third place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">State Championship: <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Oak Grove Panthers (36-0-1) </mark>vs. Mt. Vernon Mountaineers (26-7-2)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> The young Oak Grove team has shown promise this season, and this could mark the beginning of a new era for the program. I predict Oak Grove will claim their first state championship by sweeping Mt. Vernon in the final match, solidifying their place in history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->