By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
Ozark Christian College tips off its women’s basketball schedule tonight with a tough assignment.
Labette, coming off two wins last weekend in the Crowder Classic at Neosho, visits OCC for the 6 p.m. game in the Multi-Purpose Building.
The NCCAA Division II Ambassadors, coached by Darrell Doss, also will be without four mainstays because of their participation in volleyball nationals in Florida.
Doss, naturally hoping for a lofty finish by Tony Allmoslecher’s spikers, will use the players’ absence as an opportunity to see other players under fire.
“Obviously, those four players will immediately help,” Doss said. “Their athleticism wlll fit in with our plans of pressure defense and getting up and down the floor.”
The volleyball quartet consists of 5-foot-10 junior Reilly Allmoslecher, 5-8 sophomore Melea Cook, 5-3 freshman Kori Gregory and 5-11 sophomore Brittany Owen.
Doss said the probable starters tonight are 5-5 junior Lacy Bounds, 5-7 freshman Jessica Moore, 5-8 freshman Chelsea Sneed, 5-7 freshman Darby Todd and 5-11 freshman Morgan Bloss.
Shannon Baker (5-6 freshman), Courtney Shrum (5-5 freshman), Somer Soard (5-7 freshman) and Morgan Weece (5-4 junior) will come off the bench, Doss said.
“Early, because of eight freshmen, we’ll be getting them experience,” Doss said.
“We’ll be quicker and more athletic than last season,” Doss said. “We’ll be young overall, of course, and our experience is young. But that’s OK. Those girls are coming from quality programs.”
Cook, an ACCA All-American last season, paced the team (16-19 overall) with averages of 16 points and 9.3 rebounds. She shot 70 percent from the foul line.
“Melea, who also was an all-regional (NCCAA Division II) and all-conference (Midwest Christian College) selection, has improved her quickness and agility,” Doss said.
Owen (all-conference and honorable mention all-region) averaged 11 points and 8.5 rebounds. She shot 41 percent from the floor and led the team in blocked shots with 27.
Bounds, honorable mention all-region, averaged three assists. Allmoslecher had 14 blocked shots.
“Lacy and Kori (Gregory) will share duty at point guard and both will be on the floor together at times,” Doss said.
Doss is assisted by his wife, Sarah (former standout athlete at Lamar), and Cody Fears.
Sports
November 10, 2009
OCC missing four players for basketball opener
Ambassador women face Labette County with key players still on national volleyball contender
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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 ... - Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
- Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- 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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