Missouri State isn't the only Women's National Invitational Tournament team with Ozarks representation.
When Mizzou (17-13) faces Illinois State (24-8) in the first round of the WNIT on Thursday in Columbia, it will feature three players who thrived during their development in southwest Missouri.
Hayley Frank (Strafford) and Ashton Judd (West Plains) − the only two Tigers to earn All-Southeastern Conference honors this season − take on an Illinois State program paced by Drury transfer Paige Robinson.
Frank, a second-team All-SEC selection, led Strafford to four state titles,115 straight victories, and was a two-time Gatorade Missouri Girls Basketball Player of the Year.