By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The O-Zone Volleyball Power rankings will be released on alternating Mondays 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). NOTE: Teams with scores that had not been reported were not considered.
1. (1) Rogersville (Class 3: 30-2)
Rogersville did lose to Willard in the championship of the Lori Endicott Invitational, but ultimately they still have the best body of work when taking class into account. LogRog own wins over Class 4 powers Kickapoo, Willard and Ozark, as well as Class 2 Fair Grove (twice). This is Rogersville’s third consecutive 30-win season as they continue on a collision course with defending state champ Helias.
2. (2) Ozark (Class 4: 25-4-1)
Since our last rankings, Ozark has beaten Nixa (again), Willard and Carthage, reinforcing the idea that they’re the best Class 4 team in the area. The Lady Tigers dropped one match in their home tournament, falling to nationally ranked Helias Catholic. As a team, Ozark has a .261 hitting percentage, a large reason why they’re the No. 1 seed in District 10 and on the verge of winning another COC championship with a win over Republic on Tuesday.
3. (3) Fair Grove (Class 2: 23-5-2)
Fair Grove could play mostly Class 2 and Class 3 teams and likely be undefeated at this point, but that’s not how Tonya Peck operates. The Lady Eagles’ five losses (Carthage, Willard, Rogersville, Willard, Rogersville) have come to schools that are at least twice their size. The good news is that Fair Grove has dropped just one set to a Class 2 team this season and has already clinched at least a share of the Mid-Lakes Conference title. Senior Alana Findley is closing in on back-to-back 300-kill seasons. Fair Grove is the No. 1 seed in Class 2 – District 10.
4. (6) Miller (Class 1: 25-4-2)
Miller is also heating up at the right time, winning nine straight, which includes the Sparta Tournament title over the weekend with a win over district rival Billings. The Lady Cards are the top seed in District 8 and will finish the season at Clever and at School of the Ozarks. This is Miller’s third straight 25-win season.
5. (5) Willard (Class 4: 29-4)
Like always, the Lady Tigers are heating up at the right time, winning 12 of their last 13 games. That includes the impressive three-set slugfest with Rogersville on Oct. 6. Willard is one win away from their third 30-win season in the last four years. They’ll likely be the top seed in District 9, where they’ll be seeking a fifth consecutive district championship.
6. (4) Nixa (Class 4: 19-8-2)
Nixa could be the most dangerous Class 4 team in the Ozarks. Their good is elite, with wins over Rogersville, Kickapoo, Willard and a bevy of talented out of area teams. The Lady Eagles will finish as the COC runner-up to Ozark and the No. 3 seed in District 10, meaning they’ll have to beat Kickapoo and Ozark on the same night to claim a district title. Junior Lexie Gregory continues to work her way up the all-time digs list in state history. The three-year starter is already at 816 and will likely end this season with more than 400. MSHSAA’s list needs updated, but just six players have had more than 1,200 career digs, a number that Gregory will surpass next season
7. (7) Kickapoo (Class 4: 21-9)
The Lady Chiefs have yet another 20-win season, their fourth straight under Marci Johnson, and they’re two wins away from another perfect Ozark Conference run. They beat Nixa, but the Poo has also taken sets from Rogersville and Helias. Their top end is extremely good and they have one of the best players in the area in junior Tayte Kozlowski. They’ll be a tough out as the No. 2 seed in District 10.
8. (10) Strafford (Class 2: 21-4-1)
For as much as this should’ve been a rebuilding year for Strafford, it wasn’t at all. The Lady Indians enter a brutal week with a seven-game winning streak and a ton of momentum after winning the Hollister Tournament last weekend. They went toe-to-toe on the road with Fair Grove, which will make a potential trilogy matchup in Clever, should they get past the Lady Jays, even more intriguing. Strafford is the No. 2 seed in District 10.
9. (11) Clever (Class 2: 22-4-2)
Clever enters tonight’s showdown with Fair Grove on an eight-game winning streak. A win gives the Lady Jays a split of the conference title and a ton of good energy entering a loaded District 10 Tournament that they host. Their resumè is still impressive, with the only losses being Strafford (twice), Webb City and Willard.
10. (14) MV-BT Liberty (Class 2: 23-5-2)
Liberty is riding a 12-match unbeaten streak into a three-game week, which is bad news for everyone else in Class 2. The Lady Eagles are hot and battle-tested. They’re a win away from another unbeaten SCA run. They’re also the top seed in District 9, which has three 20-win teams. Shari Tune also wrapped up the program’s 11th consecutive 20-win season.
11. (NR) Ash Grove (Class 2: 25-5)
The Lady Pirates have quietly put together one of the best seasons in the Ozarks. They’ve won 17 straight matches, which includes Pleasant Hope Tournament and Southwest Volleyfest titles. But, they’re in a loaded District 10 where they have the No. 4 seed. Five teams in the district have at least 20 wins.
12. (NR) Marshfield (Class 3: 23-5-3)
Marshfield has been flying under the radar all season, but they’ve put together an impressive resumè. Their only local losses are to Fair Grove and Rogersville and they’re 14-1-1 in their last 16 matches. The Lady Jays have back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in more than a decade. They’re the No. 2 seed in District 11, which also houses Rogersville.
13. (15) Billings (Class 4: 21-5-2)
The Lady Cats have won 15 of their last 17 matches, with both losses coming in three sets. They still have a resumè that includes wins over Crane, Ash Grove and Blue Eye, leading them to the No. 2 seed in District 8. Billings has won a district title in four of the last five seasons.
14. (9) Carthage (Class 4: 24-6)
The Lady Tigers have had a mixed bag this season. On one hand, they’ve beaten Carl Junction, Fair Grove and Lebanon. However, Carthage has also lost to district rivals Carl Junction and Webb City. They’re still the top seed in District 11, but they’ll likely have to defeat either Webb City or Carl Junction to win a district championship.
15. (8) Blue Eye (Class 1: 23-7)
The Lady Bulldogs did suffer a setback against fellow Class 1 power Billings in three sets, but this is still a team that has been in go-mode all season. Blue Eye still has wins over McAuley, Spokane, School of the Ozarks and Hurley. The Lady Bulldgos close the season at Crane and at Forsyth will be a nice challenge before district play, where they’re the top seed in District 6.
Knocking on the door: Nevada (24-6), Licking (25-4-1), Webb City (20-9-3), Cabool (23-7-3), Rolla (22-8-1), Crane (20-6-3), New Covenant (20-4-2)
