By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Ozarks Sports Zone ranks the top teams in Southwest Missouri based on dominance by class, essentially the pound-for-pound comparison of those teams compared to the best in the state. Rankings are sponsored by CoxHealth. Below, you’ll also find our awards for last week’s top performances. If you’d like to nominate a player for O-Zone Player of the Week, please forward stats and information to thejordanburton1989@gmail.com.
1. (2) Rogersville (C3: 18-2-1)
They’re probably the best team in the Ozarks regardless of class and their resume is nothing short of impressive. The Lady Cats have an area-best 17-game winning streak and haven’t lost since Aug. 26. That span includes wins over Willard, Ozark and Eureka. They’ll step back into COC Small play with Bolivar and Marshfield this week.
2. (1) Strafford (C2: 20-1)
The Lady Indians are now rocking a 14-game winning streak; their lone loss came to Class 1 defending state champ Northland Christian. Strafford added wins over Aurora, Clever and Lockwood (2) in the last two weeks. A showdown with Fair Grove and the Lebanon Tournament is on the schedule this week.
3. (4) Fair Grove (C2: 17-3-2)
Somehow Fair Grove is still flying under the radar and I think Tonya Peck is okay with it. The Lady Eagles have won 10 straight and their three losses are Willard (2) and Rogersville. They also have splits with Aurora and Rogersville. They’ve played just three times in the last two weeks, but a trip to Strafford and the Licking Tournament should be another trial by fire.
4. (3) Willard (C5: 25-2-1)
The Lady Tigers have been the most consistent Class 4 team all year. That hasn’t changed in the last two weeks with wins over Rock Bridge and Carthage. Willard did get swept by a good Kearney team. We’ll find out a lot about this team with a visit from Ozark and a trip to Carl Junction coming up, games that will likely decide the fate of the COC Large.
5. (6) Aurora (C3: 17-3-1)
Few teams in the area can boast the quality of losses that Aurora can; at Willard, at Carl Junction and at Strafford. The most impressive part is that Aurora is 8-0-1 on neutral courts, which will be beneficial come October. The Mount Vernon Tournament is sandwiched between trips to Monett and Clever.
6. (10) Ozark (C4: 16-4-1)
Shhhh, here comes Ozark. It seems each year we get ready to write them off for a rebuilding year and each year around October they turn it on. The Lady Tigers have won seven straight, including rolling through the Lee’s Summit North Tournament, beating perennial powers Pleasant Hill and St. Teresa’s Academy before picking up a big road win over Carl Junction. This team is peaking at the right time but a big week is ahead. At Willard and a weekend trip to KC will feature a rematch with St. Teresa’s.
7. (8) Nixa (C4: 14-6)
You might look at their record and think I’m crazy, but Nixa claims the toughest schedule in the Ozarks; four of their six losses have come to nationally-ranked programs. The other two losses were three-setters with Willard and Kickapoo. At Webb City and a visit from Carthage will precede the toughest part of Nixa’s season, especially if they want a COC Large title.
8. (9) Kickapoo (C4: 19-6)
The case for who the best Class 4 team in the Ozarks is clear as mud and Kickapoo has arguably the best resume. Wins over Rogersville, Fayetteville and Pleasant Hill, plus splits with Ozark and Nixa, show just how good this team is. Kickapoo has played one of the most brutal schedules in the area, explained by losses to Helias, Lafayette and St. Thomas Aquinas (Kan.). Hillcrest and Joplin are up this week as Poo looks to remain unbeaten in Ozark Conference play.
9. (NR) Carl Junction (C4: 20-4)
The Lady Bulldogs have battled injuries all year, but their current eight-game winning streak has them in the rankings for the first time this year. Of CJ’s four losses, two were out of state and the other two – Carthage and Ozark – were three-set games. Carl Junction still has an outside shot at the conference title, but they must win out against Carthage, Willard and Nixa… and hope someone can upset Ozark.
10. (5) Winona (C1: 13-6-2)
Again, their record is deceiving because this team routinely plays up. So, losses to Class 2 MV-BT/Liberty and Class 3 Dexter aren’t terrible. Honestly, the fact this team is even still playing is remarkable. Winona has been decimated by injury, even forcing them to play with five at times. The Lady Cats continue to be resilient, which is a testament to legendary coach Francie McBride.
Receiving Consideration: Sarcoxie (C2: 22-5-2), Eminence (C1: 13-6-1), Jasper (C1: 18-5-1), Clever (C2: 12-5-2), Bolivar (C3: 14-5-2), Lamar (C3: 16-5), Licking (C2: 17-3), Billings (C1: 15-4-1), Miller (C1: 16-5-1)
O-Zone Player of the Week: Lexi Miller, Carl Junction
To put it simply, she was a stud all week. Miller led CJ to the championship of the Carl Junction Classic, racking up 45 kills and seven blocks in three bracket games. That earned her MVP honors. She now has 16 games with double-digit kills and is the catalyst to Carl Junction’s hot streak.
Hammer of the Week: Kelly Wiedemann, West Plains
Wiedemann had 62 kills and 39 digs this week for the Lady Zizzers. She continues to be a force for local legend Kaley Lyons. West Plains has 15 wins this year, the most they’ve had in a single season since 2011. The senior outside hitter is a large reason why.
Shovel of the Week: Mackinzie Funcannon, Crane
She’s described as a competitor and prides herself on not letting balls hit the ground. According to MaxPreps, she’s the first local player to hit 300 digs. She’s racked up a season-high 28 digs vs. Spokane, her fourth game of the season with 20-plus digs. She’s had double-digit digs in 18 of 21 games.
Notable Performances
Chloe Rear, Strafford – 26 assists, 14 digs, 11 kills vs. Aurora
Makayla Irvin, MV-BT/Liberty – 20 kills vs. Lesterville (school-record)
Taylor Bowling, Lebanon – 37 assists vs. Central
Briana Hemphill, Cassville – 16 kills, 20 digs vs. Huntsville (Ark.)
Ashlyn Woodworth, Golden City – 45 kills, 96 digs in six games
Leslie Jones, Pierce City – 10 blocks vs. Marionville
Harper Auman, Kickapoo – 29 assists, 14 digs vs. Nixa
Abby Cole, Licking – 13 aces vs. Dixon
Kierstin Johnston, Jasper – 119 assists in six games
Game(s) of the Week: Thursday
Honestly, I couldn’t pick just one game because Thursday is a huge day for volleyball in the Ozarks. It starts with Fair Grove at Strafford; a meeting off two of the best Class 2 teams in the state. The winner will likely end up being the undefeated Mid-Lakes Conference champ and No. 1 seed in Class 2 – District 12. Why does that matter? The last time a team won the regular season and postseason meeting was back in 2013. Fair Grove won the regular season meeting in 2014 and 2015, only to lose in district play. This game will be worth the price of admission. Two towns that don’t really care for each other and are a stone’s throw apart. Also, the Alana Findley (215 kills, 78 blocks, .450 hitting pct) vs. Chloe Rear (185 kills, 258 assists, .424 hitting pct) matchup should be pure fire.
We’ll figure out a lot about the COC Large race by this time next week. Thursday has three huge matchups with a couple more coming around on Tuesday. Ozark at Willard may be the biggest game of the week. Ozark is already a game up on CJ with Willard and Nixa left. Beating Willard on the road would virtually clinch at least a share of the conference title. Willard hasn’t beaten Ozark in a decade and has had each of its last two seasons ended by Ozark. This game is huge for Willard’s psyche if it wants a Final Four run… Carl Junction at Carthage is a game that can keep the winner within striking distance of the COC Large title. Also, the winner gets the No. 1 seed in Class 4 – District 12. The winner of this district will also host the Sectional/Quarterfinal so this game has huge postseason implications… Things get no easier for Willard because on Tuesday they’ll head to Carl Junction. The Lady Bulldogs have been hot as of late and are really good at home. If Willard beats Ozark and CJ they are in the driver’s seat for a conference championship. Lose both and they’re in trouble. For CJ, beating Willard keeps them in the hunt. And, if Willard beats Ozark, a CJ win over Willard will make the conference standings a mess.
Sep. 28
Fair Grove at Strafford
Rogersville at Bolivar
Carl Junction at Carthage
Ozark at Willard
Lamar at Mount Vernon
Sep. 29
Ozark at St. Teresa’s Academy
Sep. 30
Licking Tournament (Licking vs. Fair Grove vs. Eminence)
Oct. 2
Licking at MV-BT/Liberty
Aurora at Clever
Oct. 3
Clever at Crane
Ash Grove at Fair Grove
Cassville at Mount Vernon
Jasper at Miller
Lamar at Aurora
Carthage at Nixa
Willard at Carl Junction
College Spotlight: Jane Kickham, Mineral Area
The Kickapoo alum opted to go the JUCO route and it’s paying off. Not only is Mineral Area a perfect 21-0, earning them the No. 10 ranking nationally, but Kickham has been a horse for the Lady Cards. The sophomore earned National Player of the Week honors behind 83 kills and 17 blocks with a .371 hitting pct.Nationally, she ranks fourth in kills (233) and ninth in hitting pct (.398). Kickham has had double-digit kills in each of her last seven games.
