Glendale won the Ozark Conference Tournament last season held at the Cooper Complex in Springfield. The Falcons had 24.5 points, Kickapoo 23 and 21.5.

Joplin beat Kickapoo 5-3 and lost 6-3 to Glendale during the regular season, McWilliams recalled, before losing 5-2 to Kickapoo in Class 2 team competition at Gillenwaters in Springfield.

“We have some very talented girls in our district,” McWilliams said. “I’d rate Kickapoo as one of the top four Class 2 teams in Missouri.

“Rachel (Lazenby) will have her hands full, too. She’s excited about the competition and the challenge. We look forward to an exciting season for her.”

Joplin, which will play West Plains at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Springfield at Cooper, actually opened the season last Thursday by using its younger players in a 7-2 win at Nevada.

Notes: McWilliams, who’s in his seventh season as head coach, is assisted by Joel McDuffey. “It’s great to have him around,” McWilliams said. “He’s doing a great job and also is a good personality for the girls.” ... Key dates include Sept. 5-6, Southwest Missouri Invitational (hosted by Glendale at Cooper); Sept. 9, Joplin home debut against Parkview and Glendale at new Joplin Athletic Park; Sept. 12, Columbia Rock Bridge Quad; Sept. 23, Springfield Invitational; Oct. 2, Ozark Conference; Oct. 3, Thomas Jefferson Tournament.