1. (2) Reeds Spring (C3: 25-3-1) – You can’t say enough for how savvy this Lady Wolves team is. They are solid defensively and don’t beat themselves. Last week they continued their hunt for a COC-Small crown with a home win over Catholic. Waiting for Reeds Spring this week is a visit from Bolivar, before they step out of conference play with a game at Branson, setting up Tuesday’s COC-Small title game with Rogersville. A loss would likely set up a three-way tie for the second year in a row. I am looking forward to watching this game in person. Reeds Spring has dropped six straight to Rogersville dating back to 2009.
2. (1) Winona (C1: 20-5) – You can’t help to feel a little bad for the Lady Wildcats. Yes, their five losses are more than most teams ranked in the top ten. But, considering Winona has just 150 students in the school, it is impressive that they are as good as they have been. In last weekend’s Stockton Tournament they took home third place thanks to a loss to Mountain Grove. However, Winona did exact revenge on MV-BT/Liberty and Willard for losses earlier in the season. But, it goes no easier for Fran McBride’s squad as they are in this weekend’s Ozark Grand Slam. Who’s in their pool? Class 4 Republic and Oakville, as well as Class 3 Carl Junction. D-1 recruit Rachel Holthaus continues to lead the Lady Cats, tallying 320 kills already this season on a ridiculous 61.2%.
3. (4) Ozark (C4: 20-4) – Since dropping a pair of matches to St. Teresa’s and St. Joseph’s the Lady Tigers have gotten on track with a trio of dominating COC-Large wins. The latest two victims were Neosho and Republic.Neosho scored a total of 11 points in the two set sweep. Although Republic was a much tougher challenge, Ozark still dispatched of them in two sets. Beck Justis and company will be off until this weekend’s Ozark Grand Slam. I’m looking forward to some good volleyball, and a legendary hospitality room. Clever transfer Bailey Baumann continues to play lights-out volleyball for Ozark, leading the team with 262 digs.
4. (6) Buffalo (C3: 26-2) – It was business as usual for the Lady Bison at the Stockton Tournament, dropping just one set en route to their third tournament title of the season. Wins over Class 2 Fair Grove and El Dorado Springs in straight sets were impressive, especially since it was the second and third time playing the duo respectively, but the two wins over Parkview may have been the biggest takeaway. After all, it was the same Parkview team that beat Reeds Spring earlier in the season. Up next for Buffalo are visits to El Dorado Springs (4th match of the season between them) and Hollister.
5. (3) Osceola (C1: 17-4-3) – It wasn’t the best weekend for the Lady Indians at the Stockton Tournament. They ran into a pair of talented and streaking Class 2 teams in Fair Grove and El Dorado Springs; both of whom should figure into the Class 2 Final Four scene. Osceola also split with a sub .500 Diamond, but bounced back this week with a sweep of Drexel. Up next is Miami and Lincoln, as well as the WEMO Tournament, which should offer a rematch with a ranked Midway team.
6. (8) Rogersville (C3: 25-3-2) – Rogersville has quietly picked up 10 straight wins, including taking last weekend’s Neosho Tournament without dropping a single set. Although the field wasn’t the toughest, the sweep of Joplin and Carthage are still impressive wins. It gets tougher for Rogersville moving forward. A trip to Hollister is followed by a visit from Reeds Spring that will likely decide the fate of the COC-Small title. The Lady Cats have won 37 of their last 42 matches in the Month of October dating back to 2011.
7. (9) Carl Junction (C3: 20-4-1) – The Lady Bulldogs continue to roll right along. In fact, since that loss to Ozark back in September, CJ has won 10 of its last 11 games. That includes continuing their dominance in the conference by jumping out to a 4-0 record in the Big 8. Sarah Wall’s team hasn’t dropped a set within conference yet, and hasn’t even allowed their opponent to exceed 15 in six of those eight sets. In fact, CJ has won 32 consecutive matches over Big 8 foes. Their last loss was to Mount Vernon in the 2010 Carl Junction Classic. The Lady Bulldogs will host Monett on Thursday before making the trek to Ozark on Saturday for the Ozark Grand Slam.
8. (5) Glendale (C4: 19-4-2) – Glendale had a strong showing in last weekend’s Lebanon Tournament, before being swept by Republic in the championship game. It was the fourth time the two teams have met, with Republic holding a 2-1-1 advantage. The Lady Falcons bounced back with a big OC win over Lebanon on Tuesday leading up to Thursday’s OC title game with at Kickapoo. The winner will also have a leg up when district seeding comes. Glendale will also be in this weekend’s Ozark Grand Slam.
9. (7) Fair Grove (C2: 20-6) – The Lady Eagles finally had their 13-game win streak snapped last weekend in the Stockton Tournament. Although the loss to Buffalo was expected, the sweep at the hands of El Dorado Springs was not. But, both games were extremely competitive, and Fair Grove bounced back with a sweep of Ash Grove to remain the Mid-Lakes only unbeaten team, putting them squarely in the driver seat for a conference title. A trip to Marionville followed by visits from Conway and Stockton await Fair Grove this week.
10. (NR) Mountain Grove (C2: 19-6-3) – Coming into the season the Lady Panthers had some huge holes to fill after last year’s Final Four run. Mountain Grove seems to be figuring it out each week. Since a loss to West Plains on Sep. 30, Amy McNew’s squad hasn’t dropped a match. In this weekend’s Licking Tournament, MG topped Winona in the semifinals before topping rival Liberty in the title game in what was the third match of the season between the two, and it shouldn’t be the last.
Knocking on the Door: Pierce City, Springfield Central, Republic, MV-BT/Liberty, El Dorado Springs, Crane, Waynesville, Billings, Ash Grove, Southwest (Washburn)
