By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The O-Zone Volleyball Power rankings will be released on alternating weeks throughout the volleyball season. Rankings are a measurement of dominance within class and not a head-to-head comparison. Coaches are encouraged to send any information, including stats, milestones and records to Chris Parker (cparker@ky3.com) or Jordan Burton (thejordanburton1989@gmail.com).
1. (1) Ozark (Class 4: 1-0)
The Lady Tigers opened the season with a sweep of Glendale, 25-19, 25-11. Ozark has won four straight against the Lady Falcons, with their last loss coming in 2015. From a volume standpoint, Ozark’s schedule has been light. That’ll change over the next two weeks with seven games over the next two weeks, which could be even more depending on the Crossroads Classic. Showdowns with Kickapoo (Sep. 4) and Rogersville (Sep. 11) are must-see matches.
2. (2) Rogersville (Class 3: 2-0)
Nobody has been more impressive through the first weekish of the season than Rogersville. The Lady Cats opened with wins over three-time defending Arkansas 7A state champs Fayetteville and Kickapoo. Standout junior Birdie Henrickson tallied a team-high 22 kills and 34 digs in those two games. Rog’s schedule is tough over the next two weeks with a COC swing (at Nixa, Willard, Ozark and Branson) followed by the Winnetonka Tournament.
3. (3) Fair Grove (Class 2: 6-1)
Fair Grove entered 2018 with high expectations and haven’t disappointed yet with a hot start. The Lady Eagles beat Branson and rival Strafford at the Branson Tournament before losing to Class 4 Carthage in the championship. Carthage is the only team to take a set from Fair Grove so far. On the docket for Grove this week is at Marshfield, vs. Warsaw, at Miller and at Willard. Senior standout – and Drury Basketball commit – Alana Findley already has 56 kills and 24 blocks. She is 153 kills away from 1,000 for her career and 11 blocks away from becoming the 14th player in state history to tally 300 blocks.
4. (5) Willard (Class 4: 7-1)
It was no secret that Willard would be reloading and not rebuilding in 2018, but wins over Har-Ber (Ark.), Fort Smith Southside and Bentonville (Ark.) have reinforced that. Willard’s only loss came to nationally-ranked Helias. As of now, their kills leader is a sophomore (Maddy Bushnell), blocks leader is a sophomore (Payton Van Veen), digs leader is also Van Veen and assists leader is a junior (Ashton Wildermuth). The Lady Tigers also have a tough two weeks ahead with Rogersville, Glendale, Fair Grove and Lebanon.
5. (10) Carthage (Class 4: 8-0)
Eight up and eight down for the Lady Tigers and it has been pure domination with Carthage not even surrendering a single set. The Branson Invitational title is even more impressive because Carthage swept teams like Lebanon, Fair Grove and Rockwood Summit. It’s Rockwood Summit’s lone loss. Junior Alexa Boyle has double-digit kills in three of those eight games. Aurora, Pittsburg (Kan.) and the Pittsburg Tournament are all that stand between Carthage and COC play.
6. (6) Clever (Class 2: 2-0)
Clever opened the season with a huge three-set win over former conference rival Crane, then went on the road and beat a reigning Class 3 district champ in Aurora. The two quality wins to start the season is always great, but Clever could be on track for a solid start. The Lady Jays schedule could allow them to carry an unbeaten start all the way to the Strafford Volleyfest.
7. (NR) Miller (Class 1: 8-0)
Miller lost a loaded class and responded by starting 2018 with an eight-game winning streak, including winning the Verona Tournament. That stretch includes wins over preseason Southwest Conference favorite Sarcoxie and traditional power Lockwood. The Lady Cardinals are yet to drop a single set. College Heights, Billings, Fair Grove and the Ash Grove Tournament are up next, providing the toughest stretch of games Miller will see this year.
8. (4) Kickapoo (Class 4: 5-4)
By now we’re used to this. Kickapoo starts out with one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the Ozarks. They’ll lose a few games early, get hot late and run through the Ozark Conference unblemished. Poo’s four losses are to Har-Ber (Ark.), Helias, Blue Springs South and Rogersville – all of whom will contend for state championships in their respective divisions. Things get no easier moving forward with Ozark, Jefferson City, Helias and the Springfield Classic on the schedule.
9. (8) Billings (Class 1: 2-0)
Arguably the best Class 1 team in the Ozarks, Billings started the season by blanking Pierce City and College Heights with senior Liz Gearing handing out 26 assists in the two games. Last year the Cats won five of their first six matches, with the loss coming to College Heights and with Pierce City taking a set from them. This group will be able to prove just where they’re at so far this year with Purdy, Miller, Clever, Crane and the Ash Grove Tournament coming up.
10. (11) Crane (Class 1: 2-1)
Crane had the misfortune of opening with three consecutive road games, which includes a win over Class 3 Monett. Keep in mind, Crane has dropped to Class 1 which makes this extremely interesting. Senior Madison Hicks did have 12 kills and five blocks against Fordland. Wheaton, Pierce City, Billings and the Buffalo Tournament are up next.
11. (12) MV-BT Liberty (Class 2: 1-1)
MV-BT Liberty hasn’t been a team to duck people, so opening with Class 4 Willard shouldn’t be a huge shock. They lost, but the Lady Eagles won’t be penalized for playing up two classes. Liberty did bounce back by beating West Plains. Eminence and the West Plains Tournament are up next.
12. (NR) Nixa (Class 4: 2-0)
I’m not sure many people knew what to expect from Nixa, but wins over Glendale and Bentonville (Ark.) are certainly promising. The Lady Eagles have new faces all over the court, including freshman setter Sydney Golden (32 assists in two games). Rogersville, Lebanon, Kickapoo, Helias and the Springfield Classic will challenge Annie Zimmerman’s young squad.
13. (NR) School of the Ozarks (Class 1: 3-0)
School of the Ozarks had a special run last season, winning 22 games and a district championship before running into state power Winona. The Lady Patriots have won 71 games over the last three seasons, so starting 2018 with wins over Spokane, Niangua and Bradleyville shouldn’t be a shocker. Forsyth, Ash Grove, Everton, Hurley and Blue Eye are on the schedule moving forward.
14. (NR) Eminence (Class 1: 2-0)
The Lady Wings opened the season by sweeping Clearwater and Viburnum. This is a group that dropped just one of its first nine games last season. Wendy and Mariah Smith will be missed, but it seems that Eminence has reloaded. Getting Salem, MV-BT Liberty and Bunker will give us a better idea of just how good Eminence is.
15. (9) Strafford (Class 2: 4-2)
Strafford opened the season at the always loaded Branson Invitational where they went 2-2. We can’t hold losing to Class 4 Rockwood Summit against them, but the loss to Fair Grove is interesting. With Strafford still ironing out roles and expectations following the loss of a great senior class, there could be some growing pains. But, this will be a much different team by October. They’ll also be battle tested with Aurora and Glendale part of a five-game span.
Knocking on the door: Wheaton (3-0), Sarcoxie (4-2), Rolla (1-1), Carl Junction (0-1), Blue Eye (1-1), Lebanon (5-2), Winona (0-1), Cabool (1-0), Hurley (3-0), Skyline (3-0)
