Checking in: Teams Heating Up for Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With just a couple of weeks left in the regular season, the excitement is building as we look around the state to see which volleyball teams are peaking at just the right time. Several squads are hitting their stride, making them serious contenders as they gear up for the playoffs. Let's dive into the highlights of some standout teams making waves in these final matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ozark Tigers 23-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ozark Tigers continue to dominate the competition, remaining one of the few undefeated teams in the state after a stellar performance at the Lee's Summit North Tournament. They secured victories against Lee's Summit North (2-1), Lee's Summit West (2-0), and St. Dominic (2-1), solidifying their unbeaten record. Key players like 2027 Kezzie Lopez, [player_tooltip player_id='542230' first='Adilynn' last='Rohrer'], 2028 <strong>Brooklyn Brownfield</strong>, 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='219778' first='Tara' last='Venable'], and Kaitlyn Fleury have combined for an impressive 678 kills this season. The Tigers will host the Ozark Slam this weekend, where they'll face off against Eureka, Borgia, Park Hill South, Lafayette, and Fayetteville before a crucial matchup against district rival Nixa on October 14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Point Grizzlies 25-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The North Point Grizzlies have established themselves as a formidable force, remaining undefeated at home and claiming two tournament titles this season. Their only losses came early on against Belleville East, IL, and later against Holt and Liberty. Leading the charge is 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='618831' first='Albany' last='Humphrey'] with 215 kills, followed closely by 2028 <strong>Megan</strong> <strong>Hudson</strong>, who has 157. In addition, 2026 <strong>Libbie Meek</strong> has made her mark defensively with 1,025 career digs. The Grizzlies' district features traditional powerhouses like Francis Howell, St. Dominic, Timberland, and Liberty, setting the stage for an intense battle from the quarterfinals to the championship. If North Point can maintain its momentum, they have a strong chance of advancing to the district title match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Buchanan Bulldogs 19-9-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The East Buchanan Bulldogs achieved a significant milestone by defeating Bishop LeBlond twice over the weekend at the Bishop LeBlond Tournament, ultimately securing second place after a loss to Oak Grove in the finals. Their upcoming match against Plattsburg on October 16 could serve as a preview for their district championship, which begins the following week. The team's offensive power comes from 2027 players <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='811976' first='Brooklynn' last='Johnson'], Kourtney Keling</strong>, and [player_tooltip player_id='826666' first='Kamryn' last='Werle'], along with 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='815709' first='Layla' last='Watkins'], who collectively account for 769 of the team's 892 kills. <strong>Kaylynn Engnes</strong> also shines defensively with 1,087 career digs. However, the district tournament will present a challenging path, with intense competition from St. Joseph Christian, Plattsburg, and Mid-Buchanan—all potential district champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lawson Cardinals 19-2-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lawson Cardinals are positioning themselves for a successful run at the district title, despite losses to Chillicothe (18-4) and St. Joseph Benton (8-13). They've also recorded ties against Barstow and East Buchanan, both of which they have previously defeated. This weekend's Lawson quad, featuring Lafayette County (19-1-2), Maryville (20-6), and last year's Class 3 finalist Odessa, will provide further insight into the Cardinals' strength. Currently, they are expected to compete for the district title, as no other team in their district, aside from Carrollton (12-6), boasts a winning record. Key players like 2026 Mena Caresia, [player_tooltip player_id='827117' first='Lola' last='Bolinger'], and [player_tooltip player_id='490222' first='Kayla' last='Phipps'] are poised to lead Lawson back to the final four for the first time since their fourth-place finish in 2020.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saint Francis Borgia Knights 16-6-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Borgia Knights are on a roll lately, having captured the Hermann Tournament title after thrilling semifinal and final matches against the St. Louis Panthers, followed by a redemption victory over Pacific (26-28, 30-28, 27-25). They also achieved a significant upset by sweeping the previously undefeated Helias and defeating Class 5 Eureka in a tightly contested five-set match. Their losses have come against other Class 5 teams, including Cor Jesu, St. Dominic, Westminster, Lafayette, St. Joseph's Academy, and Class 4 Pacific. Upcoming matches against Incarnate Word Academy, Festus, St. Pius X, and the Ozark Tournament will be crucial for maintaining their momentum. Though Borgia lacks up-to-date statistics, they are led by standout 2027 setter [player_tooltip player_id='544669' first='Gabriella' last='Schwoeppe'], while libero [player_tooltip player_id='778204' first='Cece' last='Becker'] excels defensively. Offensively, [player_tooltip player_id='826653' first='Kaiya' last='Weber'], [player_tooltip player_id='789696' first='Mia' last='Klak'], and [player_tooltip player_id='218556' first='Joanna' last='Gillen'] provide a potent attack. Borgia's path will be challenging, as they compete in a district alongside Holt, Hannibal, and Washington—other top contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->