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OZARK, Mo. — When you see nuns, dinosaurs, and someone in a Donald Trump mask in the same room, your imagine could conjure several possibilities.
In this case, it means that Ozark is going back to the state volleyball championships.
The last practice in the Lady Tigers’ home gym is routinely reserved for a little mischief: all players are encouraged to wear costumes.
“Being from Missouri State, this is something we did as players,” said head coach Adeana Brewer, who began the tradition four years ago. “Being around Halloween time, I thought it’d be something the players would enjoy.”
Bubble baths and minions… it has become almost as much of a sure thing as Halloween itself. It is the closest possible practice to the holiday and one that cannot be reached unless a ticket to state has been punched.
Ozark will head to Cape Girardeau for the ninth straight year on Thursday.
“There’s pressure because you don’t want to be the class that ruins the streak or the tradition,” senior Macey Putt said. “We struggled in the beginning of the year, had two big losses, but since then have gotten so much better.”
Putt donned a Jedi robe and a lightsaber to honor the occasion. Fans of the Star Wars franchise will know the focus and skill that the Jedi possess; two qualities the Lady Tigers hope Putt displays on the court come Friday.
The Arkansas State commit has done her part to keep the streak alive, leading the Lady Tigers with 347 kills and 36 aces. She has proven herself as one of the deadliest outside hitters in Missouri, ranking near the top of the state in attempts.
“She’s a pretty quiet player,” said Brewer. “What you see is what you get. She’s never going to be bad, she’ll be steady and consistent and as a coach that’s what you need.”
Putt started playing volleyball when she was six years old. Three years later, Ozark won its last state volleyball title in 2009, the year this run began. Fast forward to her third year of varsity and the two-sport standout is arguably the most important piece to the Lady Tigers’ bid to hoist the crown again .
“I’m a competitive person, so any time you get to win or have that award, it’s good,” she said. “Everyone is playing their best ball at state. It just depends on who has that one extra hustle play or tries a tad bit harder is the difference maker.”
Her awards have been plentiful: a First Team All-State selection as a junior being one of the highlights. This weekend, as has been the case, she’ll lead the only public school left in Class 4 against St. Joseph’s Academy, St. Teresa’s Academy, and St. Dominic (Brewer donned a “St. Ozark” name tag on Wednesday to commemorate the occasion).
Given that Ozark has finished third for six straight seasons, the only award Putt is focused on is another state title before she trades in Tiger red for that of the Red Wolves.
“We play for each other and as a unit. We have so many different looks that we can throw at you, when we get it all rolling it really works for us.”
