1. (1) Winona (3-0) – So far, so good for the Lady Wildcats. Winona hiked its winning streak to nine straight dating back to last season, with straight set wins over Licking, West Plains, and Bunker. Winona will get a chance to push that streak to 10 on Thursday at Cabool, before going to the Willard Tournament this weekend will they will likely face their biggest challenge of the season to this point.
2. (2) Ozark (2-0) – The Lady Tigers picked up their second win of the season on Tuesday, defeating a solid Lebanon in straight sets. This weekend will be a nice measuring stick for Ozark as the Lady Tigers travel to Kansas City for the MoKan Invitational, pitting some of the top teams from each state against each other. Up first for Ozark is the defending Class 4 state champ, and nationally ranked Lafayette. For those of you keeping track, the Lancers have won back-to-back state titles and 42 matches in a row. Also in the tournament is No. 3 St. James Academy from Kansas.
3. (3) Carl Junction (3-0) – CJ is yet to play a school in their class, and it hasn’t mattered. The Lady Bulldogs added COC foes Republic and Carthage to their list of victims so far this year. On Thursday they will visit rival Webb City, before returning to Bentonville (Ark.) where they will look to payback a tough Tiger squad for a loss last season.
4. (4) Osceola (2-0) – The Lady Indians picked up a win over Lockwood on Tuesday night to remain unbeaten. They will host Lakeland and Rich Hill heading into next week’s match up with a solid Pleasant Hope team.
5. (5) Rogersville (3-0) – The Lady ‘Cats have showed little mercy on opponents this season. In the six sets they have played in, three resulted in Rogersville holding the opposing team to less than 10 points. On Thursday they will visit a tough Fair Grove squad before traveling to the West Plains Tournament this weekend, featuring a loaded field.
6. (NR) Glendale (2-1) – The Lady Falcons looked the part against Ozark, falling in a tough three-set match. They followed that up with an impressive win over Nixa on the road. Rachel Lee continues to lead a young cast of characters, and Emma Brand is as talented as any. On Thursday the Lady Falcons welcome a Parkview team that has looked extremely good early. Should be a good one!
7. (NR) Reeds Spring (7-1-1) – I couldn’t have been more impressed with the Lady Wolves at last weekend’s Branson Tournament. Reeds Spring dropped just one contest, and that was to an extremely talented Class 4 team in Nixa, while beating the likes of Fair Grove, Lebanon, and Mount Vernon. The Lady Wolves aren’t very big, but they play the lines extremely well and feed opponents a steady diet of senior standout Danielle Curnes. She has 82 kills already this season.
9. (NR) Pierce City (4-0) – The Lady Eagles are again off to a hot start, winning their first four matches, including a pair of impressive wins of SWCL squads Crane and Billings. On Thursday Pierce City will visit Lamar, before Monday’s showdown at home against a big, talented Mount Vernon squad.
10. (8) Buffalo (2-1) – Buffalo bounced back from that season-opening loss to Willard with a pair of wins over a solid Branson team and Conway. The week doesn’t get any easier for the Lady Bison. They visit Skyline on Thursday before jumping into Saturday’s Willard Tournament. Awaiting them in pool play are those Winona Wildcats. It will be a nice measuring stick game for both teams.
Knocking on the Door: Springfield Central, Sparta, El Dorado Springs, Springfield Catholic, Billings, Ash Grove, Fair Grove, Kickapoo, Liberal, Parkview, Mountain Grove
