'Hounds move to 9th in poll, host Neosho tonight

Fort Scott Community College's volleyball team moved up to No. 9 in the latest NJCAA Division II poll released Tuesday afternoon.

The Greyhounds moved up one spot this week. They have won their last 10 matches, including a pair this past weekend at Johnson County and at Southeast (Neb.).

Defending national champion Parkland, Ill. (20-1) fell from No. 1 even though it did not lose this week. In fact, the Cobras are on a 16-match winning streak. However, the voters decided to swap them with Glendale, Ariz. (12-1), which suffered its first loss of the season to Snow, Utah, a Division I team.

Four Jayhawk Conference teams are ranked with Fort Scott (15-2) the highest. Cowley (7-5) follows even though the Tigers are just 1-5 against ranked teams this season. Cowley's only win against another ranked team came against then No. 13-Kansas City on Sept. 14.

Coffeyville (17-1), whose only loss came at Fort Scott on Aug. 31, is ranked No. 11. The Red Ravens have not played any other teams that are currently ranked but will face Kansas City Saturday in a tournament at KCK.

Kansas City (11-2) is ranked 13th. The Blue Devils have a win over No. 20 Des Moines Area but have lost to No. 7 Pasco-Hernando, Fla., and Cowley.

Fort Scott is 2-2 against teams currently ranked in the poll. They lost to No. 4 Kirkwood and No. 8 Central-Columbus (Neb.) on the same day at Central's invitational earlier this month, which are the Greyhounds' only losses of the season. They also have a win over No. 16 Northeast (Neb.).

Tonight, the Greyhounds host Neosho County while Coffeyville takes on Highland and Cowley is at home against Allen in conference play while KCK is at home against Hesston in a non-conference match.

Fort Scott has this weekend off while Coffeyville and Cowley will be playing in Kansas City's invitational.

Tonight's match against Neosho County (2-1 conference, 9-8 overall) and conference leader Fort Scott is also the Greyhounds' second annual Barefoot for Bare Fret Shoe Drive with a goal of collecting 200 pair of shoes. Donations of new or gently-used men's, women's, or children's shoes will be accepted.

Tonight's action at Arnold Arena begins at 6:30 p.m.

Others receiving votes: Highland, Ill., 9-4; Iowa Central, 9-5; Muskego, Mich., 10-6; South Mountain, Ariz. 11-6 (12); Southwestern Illinois, 11-4.

Dropped out: South Mountain (12), Waubonsee, Ill. (15); Johnson County (19); Grand Rapids, Mich. (20)