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
October 31, 2009
El Dorado Springs first foe for CHC
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Heat take 2-0 lead into Boston in East finals
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
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- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
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- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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