Ozark is joined at the Class 5 Final Four in Cape Girardeau by traditional powers, led by two-time defending state champion Lafayette.
The Lady Tigers are on the opposite side of the bracket as Lafayette. Ozark (37-3) takes on Francis Howell in a semifinal at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Southeast Missouri State’s Show-Me Center, after Lafayette (30-5) meets Liberty (28-6) at 4 p.m.
“We're going to focus on winning two more,” Lady Tigers coach Adeanna Brewer said.
Ozark is striving for its first state title since 2009. This is the Lady Tigers’ 11th trip to State.
Lafayette will be going for its ninth state championship. The Lady Lancers won six straight state titles from 2011-2016.
Francis Howell lost to Lafayette in last year’s state title tilt. The Lady Vikings were also state runner-up in 2019. They have never won a state championship.
Liberty was the 2021 Class 5 state champion and the Class 4 state champ in 2002.
Ozark and Liberty faced each other at the Ozark Grand Slam last month, with Liberty rallying to win 20-25, 25-23, 25-22.
“I'm hoping we get to replay them since we lost to them at our tournament,” Ozark outside hitter Tara Venable said. “It would be amazing to play them again and get some redemption.”
The Class 5 final will be at 8:00 p.m. Thursday.
