Week 1 Match-ups to Watch
8/8 Inola @ Verdigris What a matchup early in the season. Both teams were top 10 teams last season and had 30 win season but will likely be top 10 again in class 4A. Less than 20 miles apart, these…
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Continue Reading8/8 Inola @ Verdigris
What a matchup early in the season. Both teams were top 10 teams last season and had 30 win season but will likely be top 10 again in class 4A. Less than 20 miles apart, these two programs know each other very well. Not only do the kids from both programs play club volleyball with each other but they played each other three times last season. Verdigris won 2 of the matches but Inola was able to beat them in the semi final round of the Verdigris Varsity Tournament and go on to win the tournament championship. Both teams will look to their long time starters and seasoned players for big plays. Brooke Walker who will set and hit this season, as well as OH Sydney Biggs and OH Saige Day will be hard to stop. They will get constant good swings in all 6 rotations. Don’t worry, Verdigris will have their own big hitter in Logan Hamilton. She can really put some power behind her swing and in her serve. I look to the consistency of play to be the determinate in the early season match-up. Whichever team can not ride the metaphorical roller coaster will end up on top and have an very good win early in the season.
8/11 Lincoln Christian @ Regent Prep
Juggernauts going head to head early and often. Both teams love to play big teams all season long. It has clearly helped their teams rise up the ranks and consistently make state. Both programs are ran by some extraordinary coaches in Mike Christie at Regent and Deidra Rader at Lincoln. Both teams finished top 5 in class 4A and made the state tournament. Both sadly lost out to the eventual state champ, Victory Christian. They played each other only once last season where Regent Prep prevailed in the 5th set 15-11. Senior OH Ella Drake Ella Drake 5'11" | OH Regent | 2023 State OK , who recently committed to play at D1 University of Central Arkansas, will be looked heavily to in the offensive scheme for Regent. Last years combo of her and Oklahoma University commit, Beth Bayless, where a deadly duo. She will need to shoulder more of the work load this season. Her super successful club season should help her accomplish just that. OH Paiton Tuggle will be the big arm in the front row and back row that Lincoln Christian will rely upon to put balls away. Both players do a great job of being available and taking powerful approaches. They aren’t just good front row players, they both play 6 rotations and do a great job in defense as well. Im looking towards the serve and serve receive game to really decide this matchup. If one team can serve the other out of system early and often in sets, they will put even more pressure on these two OH’s to make even tougher plays.
This week is full of solid matchups and even bigger tournaments at the end of the week. We are excited to officially start the season today and start seeing stars shine and newcomers blossom.