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REALIGNMENT: Hillcrest joins Ozark Mountain Conference

The Ozark Mountain Conference has announced its approval of Hillcrest High School’s application to compete during the 2024-2025 school year.

The OMC now includes Branson, Bolivar, Carl Junction, Hillcrest, Rogersville, Marshfield and West Plains. The OMC district superintendents have agreed that Hillcrest will be the final member to join the new conference for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Springfield-based Hillcrest currently competes in the Ozark Conference.

The Ozark Mountain Conference brings together districts that are similar in enrollment numbers, community beliefs, and district characteristics, a press release said.

The OMC superintendents note that the formation of the new Ozark Mountain Conference enables their schools to strengthen activity and athletic programs while improving student-athletes.

For the remainder of this school year, the seven schools will work collaboratively in preparation for competing in the new Ozark Mountain Conference during the 2024-25 school year.

 

DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL: Thomas Jefferson, College Heights advance to district title game

VERONA, Mo. — Top-seeded Thomas Jefferson and second-seeded College Heights both won their respective Class1 District 10 semifinal volleyball matches on Monday and will play each other at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Verona High School for the district title. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON 3, VERONA 1

Thomas Jefferson faced adversity early after dropping the second set but rebounded to beat fifth-seeded Verona, with the Cavaliers knocking off the Wildcats 25-23, 22-25, 25-20 and 25-14.

Gabbi Hiebert had 16 kills, five blocks and three digs, while Lannah Grigg had 12 kills, seven blocks, eight aces and four digs. Maggie Sutton had 25 digs. Maci Shifferd had seven kills and four digs, while Mary Nguyen had 17 assists, 12 digs and a kill, while Leag Studer had 20 assists, five digs and four kills. Nayab Rehman had nine digs, while Marley Flanagan added three kills.

COLLEGE HEIGHTS 3, MCAULEY 0

College Heights made quick of third-seeded McAuley Catholic, knocking off the Warriors 25-9, 25-19 and 25-17 in its semifinal matchup.

Maddy Coin finished with 23 assists, six kills and five aces, while Bailey Peeples finished with 14 kills. Lilly Plassman had 24 digs, while Toryn Fink added seven kills in the win.