Between the annual Grin Iron and Action Classic athletic events over the weekend, the Heart of the Ozarks Sertoma Club and Delta Dental raised over $55,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Care Mobile, also known as the Tooth Truck.
The Tooth Truck provides dental treatment and hygiene education for local children in need.
Over the the last 15 years, more than half a million dollars have been given to the Tooth Truck and over 20,000 children have received dental care.
All-Star Smiles Sertoma Club President Bill Williams said, “When you see what people getting together and working toward a common cause can accomplish, it is quite amazing. You look at the coaches, the players, the volunteers – everybody comes together. It’s just very pleasing to know that we can all have a great outcome.”
The 5th annual Grin Action Classic All-Star volleyball tournament at Parkview High School on Saturday featured some of the best senior high school players in southern Missouri.
This tournament followed Friday night’s 15th annual Grin Iron Classic football game, which also allowed the area’s best senior athletes to play one last time.
CLICK HERE FOR GRIN IRON CLASSIC STORY, VIDEO & PHOTOS
The tournament was divided into five teams: North, South, East, West and Springfield.
The South team won the tournament in the championship match against the East, but not without a third set test.
The East pulled out a 25-23 first set win, then the South changed up the game with a dominant second set, 25-15.
With seven Nixa girls playing on a 10-member South team, familiarity can be hard to beat.
For the East, Ozark’s Makensi Taylor, Shannon Strickler and Kendra Sater; Mtn. View’s Kaitlyn Raith, Johanna Walkup and Brionna Kenaga; and Rogersville’s Olivia Johnston had some familiarity on their side as well, but lacked in number.
East coach, Ozark’s Adeana Brewer, said, “I feel like we didn’t have as much depth. We went undefeated in pool play and then I think we got a little bit tired because we didn’t have any subs.”
Taking advantage of this, the Nixa Lady Eagles, along with Halie Alred of Hollister, Madison Wright of Billings, and Mikayla Botkin of Republic, were able to win it all in the third set with a score of 15-11.
Despite the loss, coaching three of her own seniors for the final time was good enough for her.
Brewer said, “I always enjoy the opportunity to get to coach my seniors that we thought was the last time we’d get to coach them in the fall on this day. What a great opportunity for them and for me to get to spend that time with them before they go off into their new adventure.”
All three Ozark players will play collegiately.
Nixa’s Aubrey Cheffey won the tournament MVP award in her final high school volleyball hurrah with six of her teammates.
Cheffey said, “I’ve been playing with a lot of them, actually, all of them, since second grade. So, it was kind of sad to see it finally comes to an end, but I mean, I’m grateful for the opportunity that I had again to play with them.”
Other MVP award recipients were Nixa’s Reilly Dobbs (South), Rogersville’s Johnston (East), Mt. Vernon’s Laynie Dake (West), Glendale’s Emma Brand (Springfield) and Fair Grove’s Haley Stallings (North).
