Missouri Class 3 high school roundup
Missouri Class 3 is probably one of the more open classes in the state this year. With Hermann most likely stating in Class 2 and last year state champion Borgia moving up to Class 4 or 5, this leaves this…
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Continue ReadingMissouri Class 3 is probably one of the more open classes in the state this year. With Hermann most likely stating in Class 2 and last year state champion Borgia moving up to Class 4 or 5, this leaves this field wide open. With the success factor in play and the district and playoff field not being released until late September, the guessing game will be on for a month. Again, just like the other classes, several of these teams could leave this Class, and if when they do, we will adjust.
Liberty Mountain View 22-10-1
The Eagles have become a staple in Class 2 and will do the same in Class 3. Returning this season will be the trio of Kelstin Roy, Peyton Bush, and Lexi Shumpert with the 495 kills from last year. Add in the libero Aspen Smotherman and half of the 6-2 setting tandem, and Liberty is in an excellent position to start the season. Finding the replacements for the three graduated players from last year’s team might be easier said than done. They were beaten last year by Licking in the district semifinals.
Clever 18-11-4
This year’s team has to replace a couple of key pieces from last year’s team, but the good news they have those pieces. Juniors Kylie Wenger and Kenna Wise finished second and third respectively on the team in kills. This year they will look to take the controls along with senior Abbi Vanzandt. This trio tallied 435 kills and 656 digs. Add in Kenna Wise’s 389 assists, and this trio is a solid core to build around. Keep a lookout for the Blue Jays come playoff time.
El Dorado Springs 28-4-3
Youth is a word to describe this team last year. Experienced would be to use this year. With five of the six starters returning and 745 kills, this team is poised for a potential run this year. Bring back 1002 digs and both setters; the Bulldogs could look at a season to remember. Look for the 5-10 juniors in Reese Schaaf Reese Schaaf 5'10" | RS El Dorado Springs | 2022 State MO and Tevi Gurley Tevi Gurley 5'10" | OH El Dorado Springs | 2022 State MO to have big seasons for the Bulldogs.
Lawson 24-6-4
It seems youth is dominating the Class 3 field, and Lawson is right there with the others. Coming back for the Cardinals is 5-10 sophomore Anna Harrold and her team-leading 200 kills. Mix in senior Laken Manns 180 kills, junior Natalie Schnetzler 125 kills, and senior Sadie Hendrickson 122 kills, and the Cardinals have a four-headed monster this year. They lost in the district championship last year to the eventual Class 2 4th place finisher St. Paul Lutheran.
St. Pius X (Festus) 25-5-2 Class 2 2nd place
Lancers finished 2nd place to Hermann last year in Class 2. With the success factor, I believe St. Pius will move up to Class 3 if not Class 4. But for now, we will keep them in 3. The loss of Caly Otec was a big one for the Lancers, but each year they seem to have one that steps up. This year it will be Kennedy Lane Kennedy Lane 5'9" | OH St. Pius X | 2022 State MO , and her team-leading 333 kills from last year. Kennedy gets plenty of help from Kirsten Schrader and Ava Werner. It should be intriguing where the Lancers will fall once districts are released. They’ve had lots of success in the last ten years.
Fatima 17-7-4
The Comets must replace four starters from last year’s team. Each year they lose and replace and are always one of the better teams in Class 2. This year should be no different from being a Class 3 team. Coming back to the team are juniors, Hannah Moeller, and Claire Nilges. With a solid mix of juniors and a solid junior varsity, I would not count the Comets out this year.
Christian 25-8-1
Another team that is on the bubble of Class 3 or Class 4 just not sure where they will fall. The two things I do know about the Eagles. They have one fantastic setter in Addison Lyon Addison Lyon 5'10" | S O'Fallon Christian | 2021 State MO , the future University of Missouri setter, and a dynamic outside in Belle Monaco. Addison makes anyone around her better. Belle makes her team better. The Eagles will need to find reliable replacements for the loss of the Davis sisters in the middle to be a solid contender this year. Again, I would not count out Addison or Belle no matter what Class they must play in.
Blair Oaks 30-5
The loss of 360 kills will be a significant replacement for the Falcons to overcome this year. Lucky for them, they have a duo coming back in senior Elsie Villmer and junior Kennedy Flanner to start. Blair Oaks has been a solid contender in the middle of Missouri for years, and this year should be no different. Maybe this will be the year they can get out of the districts and break into the state playoffs. They lost to California in the district championship.
California 26-7-3
The Pintos had the right mix of senior leadership and youth on last year’s team. This year will be the same. Coming back will be a junior in Ella Lewis 188 kills, sophomore Lauren Friedrich 100 kills, and sophomore Emma Whitson 70 kills. Returning in the 6-2 will be Emma Whitson 361 assist, and sophomore Bailey Lage 362 assist. The Pintos lost in the Class 3 sectionals last year to 2nd place finisher Logan Rogersville.
Maryville 27-8-1
Not a lot of teams can say they are returning a player that had over 400 kills last year. The Spoofhounds can! 6-0 senior Serena Sundell is back and is looking to guide Maryville to another playoff birth. Senior Kelsey Scott will join her classmate Macy Loe and team up with Serena. They lost to Pleasant Hill in the state sectionals.
Mt Vernon 22-10-1
Mountaineers are returning the top 2 kills leaders from last year with 412 kills between them: junior 5-9 Cameryn Cassity and 5-7 senior Ellie Johnston. With the top four dig leaders back and the 931 digs with them, the backcourt will be the backbone for the team. Senior Lacy Stokes is back to run the offense and does a remarkable job. Look for the Mountaineers to put up a fight come playoffs. They are possibly pushing for a Final 4 birth.