Each week, OzarksSportsZone.com will release local volleyball power rankings. Like our other power rankings, these rankings will be based on dominance by Class, not head-to-head.
Recent success and strength of schedule are also factored into the rankings.
Overall record, Class and previous ranking are listed in parenthesis.
AUG. 31 VOLLEYBALL POWER RANKINGS
The Labor Day weekend meant no major volleyball tournaments on Saturday and thus, only a few changes in our volleyball power rankings from last week. In fact, most teams have only played one or two games over the past seven days. But, we’re starting to see the contenders emerge through the first two-and-a-half weeks of the season.
1. Strafford (7-1-1, C2, PR: 2) – The Indians followed up an Aug. 30 win at El Dorado Springs by hammering a decent Class 1 team, Osceola, at home on Sept. 1. Rilie Vote went for 8 kills on a 61.5 kill percentage, Gracie Morton had 15 assists, while sophomore middle Kentessa McMillen and senior middle Jessica Allen combined for eight blocks. Still no Chloe Rear (injury), but the Indians have adapted well. If only we could get a Strafford-Liberty match during the regular season…
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 vs. Mountain Grove, Sept. 12 vs. Marshfield, Sept. 17 Strafford Volleyfest (Tournament)
2. Ozark (7-4, C4, PR: 4) – I highlighted some of the team’s new attackers last night, so let’s cover the names in the back who do the dirty work: defense. Pick whichever term you’d like (loaded, stacked, flushed, ridiculous), but Ozark has by far the best stable of S/DS/L talent in the area. And it’s predominantly young. Senior libero Molly Taylor is a returning all-state player, senior Riley Thixton plays a hybrid DS/OH role and Brynn Bonewell was really good as a freshman last season. But the Tigers have restocked the shelves with new names like Sidney Bach (S), Kinadie Wilcox (also an OH) and Holly Luginbill (L/DS). Ozark has S/DS/L players on the JV who would start – varsity – for a lot of other teams in the area. It’s a nice luxury to have. Add in several girls around 6-foot at the net and Ozark has the components to shut down most attacks.
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 @ MV-BT/Liberty, Sept. 13 vs. Carthage, Sept. 15 @ Neosho
3. MV-BT/Liberty (3-0, C2, PR: 5) – Only one game for the Eagles since last week, but it was a quality win as Liberty handled (25-15, 25-19) a very good Class 1 Eminence squad. Senior Brenley Stearns was a monster, going for 10 kills and posting a .714 kill percentage. Brook Conway and Marissa Berry combined for 23 assists in Liberty’s new 6-2 system. Add in juniors McKaelin Roy (15 kills) and Makayla Irvin (13 kills) and Liberty is displaying sound offensive balance through three matches. Ozark vs. Liberty, which will happen tomorrow in Mountain View, is about as good as it gets for regular season volleyball.
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 vs. Ozark, Sept. 10 West Plains Showdown (Tournament), Sept. 13 @ Houston
4. Eminence (4-1, C1, PR: 6) – A changing of the guard in Shannon County? Eminence’s home win over rival Winona (25-19, 25-21) last night may come as a surprise to some, but it shows the Redwings have the talent to unseat Winona as local Class 1 queens and that playing the Wildcats to a pair of three-set losses last season was no fluke. The Redwings aren’t tall (no player over 5’9″), but they make it work. It’s appropriate that these two teams will likely meet again in two and a half months with a district title on the line.
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 @ Bunker, Sept. 12 vs. Willow Springs
5. Rogersville (9-2, C3, PR: 3) – You can’t teach height, so unless Rogersville’s coaches can come up with some new stretching methods to squeeze another inch or two out of their players, the Wildcats will just have to make do with their stable of athletic girls around the 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 range. It’s not a bad problem to have – Rogersville features a solid offensive trio between the Hendrickson sisters (Hannah, Birdie) and setter McKenna Miller, along with OHs and MHs like Molly Hoover, Maci McHenry and Allie Gipson. I wouldn’t hit the panic button yet as Rogersville won’t see many – if any – teams in Class 3 that feature the height Ozark boasts. The Wildcats are still the best Class 3 team the Ozarks has to offer.
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 vs. Branson, Sept. 10 Fayetteville (Ark.) Challenge (Tournament), Sept. 13 @ Glendale
6. Winona (6-4, C1, PR: 1) – By my research, last night’s outcome against Eminence was Winona’s first regular season loss against a fellow Class 1 team since 2011. Four years of dominance! If Francie McBride had any feelings her players were content with past results, she’ll surely have their attention now after Eminence’s win, a hurdle that must be cleared come districts. Five spots is perhaps too harsh of a drop, but these top six spots all feature outstanding, state-caliber teams. I expect these six to make the most serious push at Cape Girardeau this season.
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 @ South Iron, Sept. 13 @ Summersville
7. Kickapoo (8-4, C4, PR: 7) – A sound road win for the Chiefs last night, as they went up to the Lake of the Ozarks and handed Camdenton a 25-19, 25-15 loss. Three of the Chiefs’ four losses came to Arkansas teams at the Bentonville Early Bird Tournament, and the other came last week to Ozark (25-19, 25-15). The Chiefs rebounded from the Ozark match with a dominating home win over Rolla, giving the Chiefs an early leg up in the Ozark Conference title chase. Senior Allison Long and junior Madison Bowles are pacing the Chiefs’ attack, combining for 70 kills over 15 sets.
Upcoming games: Sept. 10 Springfield Classic (Tournament), Sept. 15 vs. Lebanon
8. Willard (9-1-1, C4, PR: 8) – After falling to Rogersville in the finals of the Lori Endicott Tournament, Willard has collected two-set wins over Central, Bolivar and Glendale over the last eight days. With Ozark defeating Kickapoo last week, Willard’s the biggest local hurdle standing in the way of an eighth straight Ozark final four appearance. Willard has a young, emerging offensive trio in freshman Emily Terry, junior Kara Finkbiner and senior Kaitlyn Williams, who all have around 40 kills through 20 sets. A big game looms Monday, Sept. 15 when Willard hosts district foe Lebanon. The winner will likely be the No. 1 seed for the Class 4, District 10 tournament, held this year in Lebanon.
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 vs. Fair Grove, Sept. 12 vs. Lebanon, Sept. 13 at Nixa
9. Fair Grove (8-3, C2, PR: 9) – The Eagles are 2-1 since last Wednesday, with a loss to Rogersville (second time this season) and dominating victories over Buffalo and Fair Grove. I don’t think they’re at the level of a Strafford or Liberty (yet, anyway) but the Eagles will beat just about every other Class 1 and 2 foe they face this season, and a lot of Class 3 teams. This is one of the most consistent programs in the Ozarks and 2016 is shaping up to be no different.
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 @ Willard, Sept. 10 Ash Grove Tournament, Sept. 13 vs. Springfield Catholic
10. Carthage (6-2, C4, PR: 10) – New coach Tony Allmoslecher is off to a good beginning with the Blue and White Tigers. Carthage’s best win in the early season is a 2-0 win against an Aurora team that will contend for a district title in Class 3. Carthage whipped Joplin at home last night, prevailing 25-13, 25-15 behind five kills apiece from Kylie Tiller and Riley Kabanse, along with 19 assists by Marley Hensley. Carthage will certainly move up or down come next week depending on results, with an upcoming schedule that includes the likes of East Newton, Ozark and Carl Junction. The Tigers are about to be put to the test.
Upcoming coming games: Sept. 8 vs. Reeds Spring, Sept. 12 @ East Newton, Sept. 13 @ Ozark, Sept. 15 vs. Carl Junction
11. Miller (10-0-1, C1, PR: 13) – Aurora didn’t really do anything to warrant a drop; this is more about what Miller has done. Being undefeated through 11 matches is a nice accomplishment for the Cardinals. Miller sweated it out last night, but ultimately prevailed in three sets at Lockwood in an SRVC matchup. Junior middle Tori Collins was a force at the net for Miller, tallying 12 kills and five blocks. The Hadlock sisters (Dalyn, 35 assists; Lynna, 20 digs) did their thing and sophomore Bethany Gulick added nine kills. The schedule toughens up a bit over the next two weeks.
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 at Marionville, Sept. 10 Ash Grove Tournament, Sept. 13 vs. Greenfield
12. Aurora (7-5, C3, PR: 12) – They have the most losses of anyone in the Top 15, but I still feel the Houn’ Dawgs are the second-best Class 3 team we have after Rogersville. A loss to Class 1 Green Ridge at the Willard tournament is the only questionable loss on the resume. Aurora is a team led by its junior class. The Houn’ Dawgs have rode the one-two punch of hitters Emily Moore (junior) and Julia McVey (sophomore) thus far; the two have combined for 84 kills over 18 sets. Junior Rachel Negre (107 assists) orchestrates the offense and junior Kaylee Huffman (81 digs) leads the back. Aurora has wins over Mt. Vernon and Reeds Spring since last week, with some favorable non-tournament games ahead.
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 vs. Hollister, Sept. 13 @ Marshfield
13. Clever (5-1, C3, PR: 12) – Like I said with Aurora, tough call to drop the Blue Jays a spot but it was more about what Miller has done. Clever pulled out a 2-1 win at Catholic last week after dropping the first set. In a home win over Forsyth last night, Emily Mendenhall posted 8 kills and Lindsay Peebles had 12 assists to go with four aces. The SWCL slate continues for Clever over the next week.
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 vs. Spokane, Sept. 13 @ Galena, Sept. 15 vs. Blue Eye
14. Carl Junction (3-2, C4, PR: 14) – A close two-set win at Lebanon last night keeps the Bulldogs in the Top 15. It’s a busy stretch ahead for CJ with three weeknight games and a Saturday tournament over the next nine days.
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 @ McDonald County, Sept. 10 Lee’s Summit Tournament, Sept. 13 vs. Webb City, Sept. 15 vs. Republic
15. Nixa (3-1, C4, PR: 15) – Only one game for Nixa since Aug. 31, a lopsided 2-0 win at Rock Bridge. Nixa drives its attacks through senior Alissa Flint, who has a team-high 34 kills (3.8 per set) and is tied with Regan Ansley for most blocks with eight. Nixa faces one of Class 3’s best teams tomorrow night when it travels to Helias Catholic in Jefferson City, continuing a gaudy slate of non-conference opponents for the Eagles.
Upcoming games: Sept. 8 @ Helias Catholic, Sept. 10 Springfield Classic (Tournament), Sept. 12 vs. Bentonville (Ark.), Sept. 13 vs. Willard
Knocking on the door: Osceola (3-2, C1), Pierce City (5-1, C1), Sarcoxie (8-1-1, C2), Nevada (5-0, C3), Lebanon (7-3, C4)
