By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
College Heights Christian coach Karla Gaines believes the Cougars will be facing El Dorado Springs today for the first time as they tangle in the sectional round of the MSHSAA Class 2 volleyball playoffs.
Spring River Valley Conference champion College Heights (25-5-2) and the Bulldogs (24-6-4) will open the program at 3 p.m. at Strafford High School.
The second match at 4:30 sends Fair Grove (33-3) against Clever (27-6-1).
Fair Grove is ranked sixth and CHC seventh by the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association. El Dorado Springs is in the teams considered category.
The winners will clash 30 minutes after the second match in a quarterfinal to decide a representative next week at Kansas City in Municipal Auditorium.
CHC coach Karla Gaines said Friday night that the Cougars join El Dorado Springs and Clever in returning to the Strafford Sectionals. Ash Grove, which lost to fair Grove in District 9, ousted CHC 25-23, 25-23 in 2008. El Dorado Springs lost to Clever in the sectional round.
Gaines said the Cougars and El Dorado Springs were in the Branson Tournament and each lost to Camdenton by a similar score.
“We’ve come up with bits and pieces (to compile a scouting report),” Gaines said. “They have a couple of strong outside hitters. We know, too, they’ve had an outstanding program for many years.
“You have to be a well-rounded team to get to this level,” Gaines said.
“We’ve had a good week of practice,” Gaines said. “The girls realize they have to play very hard and be mentally tough.
“I believe the girls are ready to play,” Gaines said. “They’re excited and looking forward to the challenge.”
The veteran Cougar cast includes one senior in Kelsi Bodine.
Gaines said that juniors Hannah Braeckel, Makayla Fuller, Konner McIntire, Kaylee Ohmart, Hannah Snow and Missy Sterling will take care of the other starting duty.
Jade Thompson, a freshman, is the libero.
Bodine, Fuller, McIntire and Sterling were fulltime starters for last season’s 17-10-4 edition.
Statistical leaders for the Cougars include McIntire (blocks, attack percentage), Braeckel (digs), Bodine (kills), Sterling (assists) and Ohmart (serving aces).
Gaines, who’s assisted by Lori Thompson, is in her 11th season at CHC and making her third trip to the sectional round. She’s seeking her first win.
Sports
El Dorado Springs first foe for CHC
- Sports
-
-
Kickapoo girls race past Joplin
Annie Armstrong poured in 21 points to lead the Kickapoo girls to a 65-28 victory over Joplin on Thursday night in an Ozark Conference basketball game at Missouri Southern’s Young Gymnasium.
-
Cheever is ultimate blue-collar snowboarder
As a World Cup snowboardcross racer, Jonathan Cheever has taken his share of spills over the years.
-
District wrestling tournaments begin tonight
Neosho’s wrestling lineup will have a different look when the Class 3 district wrestling tournament begins at 6 p.m. today at Carthage.
-
Late board work carries Lions past Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State displayed its offensive rebounding muscle during Wednesday night’s game at Missouri Southern.
-
Pitching holds key for softball Lions
Pitching is the main question Missouri Southern must answer as the Lions open their softball season today in Abilene, Texas.
-
Quapaw completes 12-0 run through Lucky '7' Conference
Quapaw High School girls basketball coach Rod Graves expected the 2011-12 Wildcats to compile another successful season.
They haven’t been a disappointment. -
Hillsdale women stop OCC
Visiting Hillsdale Free Will Baptist handed Ozark Christian a 68-47 loss in women’s college basketball on Thursday night.
-
Tomlin, Steelers welcome Haley as new coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.
-
Rangers, Cruz strike $16M, 2-year deal
Two-time defending AL champion Texas has avoided arbitration with another of its core players, agreeing Thursday to a $16 million, two-year contract with AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz.
-
Auburn’s Ward adapts game after injury at Texas
Auburn’s Varez Ward can’t take to the air quite like he used to. The onetime Texas starter is still trying to regain strength and explosiveness more than two years after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon while dunking during pre-game warmups.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
