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"However, it does give us some measure as to where other programs think we should be," Bruns said. "With that said, we can do one of two things. One, we can accept it and do just enough to hold our ranking or, two, we can work even harder to prove to everyone that we deserve to be ranked higher. The girls are opting for No. 2. We have 11 new players this season that are still learning a new system which takes time. We may take a few lumps here and there, but I'm confident we'll be ready by the time the Regional Tournament rolls around."
Being ranked means that other teams will be trying extremely hard to beat the Lady Falcons to boast beating a ranked team.
"We sat the team down yesterday and discussed with them the responsibilities of being a ranked team," said Bruns. "I think they understand that the pressure of a ranking can either fuel you or bury you. We'll soon see how they react to it. As long as we can minimize the distractions, I think they'll handle it well."
East Central's trip to Kirkwood Saturday begins against one of the Lindenwood University JV teams on Court C at 11 a.m. The Lady Falcons move to Court A at 12:15 p.m. to face St. Louis College of Pharmacy. East Central closes out at 1:30 p.m. against Harris-Stowe State University on Court B.
"We know what we have to work on and what we need to play at a high level," Bruns said after last Saturday's play at the Truman State Jamboree in Kirksville. "All of the girls accept that they're going to have to step it up a notch to get to where we need to be."
Heading into the event, the Lady Falcons are fairly healthy. Sophomore Nicole Mannino (Incarnate Word Academy) had part of the week off due to illness.
Otherwise, Bruns reports a few bumps or bruises, very minor injuries.
Saturday will give Bruns another chance to work on cleaning up the lineups in preparation for the regular season opener in the Johnson County, Kan., Tournament Aug. 28-29.
The Lady Falcons play Region 16 rival Longview Friday, Aug. 28, at 5 p.m. and Parkland (41-11 and third in NJCAA Division II last year) at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 29, the Lady Falcons meet Johnson County (30-4 and second in NJCAA Division II last year) at noon and Cowley County (ninth in NJCAA Division II last year) at 2 p.m.
Parkland, Johnson County and Cowley County all have been ranked in the top 10 of the first NJCAA Division II poll as well. Parkland s ninth while Johnson County is third and Cowley County is ranked fourth.
Kishwaukee College of Illinois, the three-time defending national champion (and national tournament host), is the top-ranked team and is followed by Illinois Central. The Lady Falcons play in the Illinois Central Tournament Oct. 23-24.
Other ranked teams on East Central's schedule include Missouri State University-West Plains, ranked third in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll. The Lady Falcons play there Sept. 11. SMU-West Plains is coached by former ECC Head Coach Paula Weidemann.
Truman State, which sent two squads against the Lady Falcons last Saturday in Kirksville, has been ranked ninth in the NCAA Division II preseason poll picked by the AVCA.
