1. (3) Ozark (C4: 16-2) – It was another good week for Becky Justis and the Lady Tigers. Wins over Carl Junction, Jeff City, and Helias are the main reason Ozark jumps back into the top spot. As seems to be a tradition at Ozark, the Lady Tigers are beginning to hit their stride entering October. This week they will again be tested. A COC-Large match against a talented Carthage squad followed by Saturday’s quad with St. Teresa’s, St. Joseph’s and Fayetteville. Then they host Nixa on Tuesday for the annual Christian County Throwdown. Congrats to Ashley Ophoven. The junior, who currently leads Ozark with 103 kills, verbally committed to Drury on Monday.
2. (5) Buffalo (C3: 17-1) – Regardless of who you’re playing, 17 straight wins is pretty impressive. Throw in the fact that Tuesday’s win came over rival Rogersville and it is easy to see why Carmen Smith is pretty happy with her bunch. Opponents continue to struggle with the variety of Buffalo’s six jump servers and the electricity in the gym when heading up Highway 65 to take on the Lady Bison. A win Thursday over Reeds Spring and they control their own destiny in the COC-Small race.
3. (1) Winona (C1: 11-3) – For the first time in 2013 the Lady Wildcats aren’t in the top spot. No worries, they will likely be back. But, Monday’s 2-0 loss at MV-BT/Liberty wasn’t the best showing Winona has had this season. At the end of the day losing to a ranked Class 2 in the Lady Eagles is hardly a bad loss. They should get back on track on Friday when they host Ellington. But, they will be tested again next Tuesday when they visit Willow Springs. By the way, Rachel Holthaus has 146 kills at a ridiculous 65% clip.
4. (4) Osceola (C1: 13-1-2) – As expected, Osceola got its first true test of the season in last weekend’s Strafford Volleyfest. With the exception of a split with Lockwood, the Lady Indians played well, dropping just one match to Class 3 Springfield Catholic. Osceola beat Spokane and Strafford and split with eventual champ Ash Grove. Coach Schrock’s group followed that up with a two-set win over Class 1’s No.2 squad in Midway. It doesn’t get any easier for Osceola as they host El Dorado Springs on Monday. Senior Kaitlyn Schrock (296 assists) and junior Brooke Wilson (154 kills) continue to establish themselves as two of the area’s best.
5. (2) Rogersville (C3: 15-3-2) – For the first time this season Rogersville has dropped back to back games. The Lady Cats looked a little rusty against Buffalo after a week layoff in their 2-1 defeat in the COC-Small showdown. Needless to say, Tammy Miller’s bunch will have some work to do in the hunt for a conference title and the top seed in Class 3 – District 10. But, last year Rogersville also lost to Buffalo in the regular season before getting revenge, as the No. 2 seed, in the district title game.
6. (8) Glendale (C4: 10-3-1) – The Lady Falcons continue to build on the momentum built up during the Springfield Classic. Glendale topped Camdenton this week to remain a perfect 3-0 in Ozark Conference play. This week Coach Bates squad will host Joplin, Webb City and Central. Don’t be surprised if Glendale runs its current win streak to 12 or 13 games heading into its Oct. 17 showdown with Kickapoo.
7. (9) Fair Grove (C2: 15-4) – Coach Peck’s Lady Eagles have quietly ripped off 11 straight wins and are legitimate contenders for conference and district titles. Fair Grove topped Miller and Skyline last week and hasn’t dropped a single set since Sep. 19 against Willard. This week they will host Pleasant Hope in Mid-Lakes Conference action.
8. (6) Carl Junction (C3: 16-4-1) – It was another tough week for the Lady Bulldogs. After giving Ozark all they wanted for three sets, Carl Junction went undefeated through their tournament before falling to Joplin in the championship. Although Joplin is a Class 4 team, the sub .500 Lady Eagles probably shouldn’t have beaten CJ. Coach Wall’s squad opened Big 8 play Monday with a win over Seneca. They will continue conference play this week with games against Mount Vernon and Lamar, as they look for a fourth straight conference title. Junior MacKenzie Irwin (146) and sophomore Maria Chism (151) have combined for nearly 300 kills so far this season.
9. (7) Reeds Spring (C3: 21-3-1) – Nobody in the Ozarks has more wins than the Lady Wolves. Although they fell in the Camdenton Tournament to Parkview, Reeds Spring bounced back with a quality win over Hollister in their COC-Small opener. That Hollister game was also an “Orange Out” for Leukemia Awareness to benefit Reeds Spring freshman Sophia Greenwalt as she continues to battle Leukemia in Kansas City at Children's Mercy Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers from our entire staff here at the O-Zone are with Sophia and her family. We wish her a speedy recovery.
T10. (NR) MV-BT/Liberty (C2: 11-3-2) – The Lady Eagles make their first appearance in the power rankings this week on the heels of impressive wins over Winona and rival Mountain Grove. Liberty also beat a solid Parkview team last month in the West Plains Tournament. Although Kylie Acklin leads Liberty with 99 kills, the Lady Eagles continue to win because of their balanced attack. Sophomores Cheyenne Day (76 kills) and Johonna Walkup (73 kills) have proven to be more than viable options for Coach Tune.
T10. (NR) El Dorado Springs (C2: 16-4) – Coach Hooper has done it again out in Cedar County. The Lady Bulldogs, despite losing a talented senior class from 2012, are again contenders in the Class 2 picture. Led by standout Alexa Schaaf, El Do has won 12 of their last 14, including wins over Bolivar (2), Marshfield and Liberal. In fact, none of their four losses has come at the hands of a Class 2 foe. Monday’s visit to Osceola will be a huge match for both teams.
Knocking on the Door: Pierce City, Nixa, Ash Grove, Crane, Southwest (Washburn), Springfield Catholic, Parkview, Billings, Republic, Spokane
