5A State Preview W/ Predictions

Derek Jackson October 15, 2021 @ 09:02 PM

We are looking at the eight teams from 5A who punched their ticket into the state tournament, how they got there, some players that have led them, and make a prediction on who will stay alive and make it to the next round.   Class 5A #1 Mount St. Mary vs #8 Duncan Mount St. Mary has been ranked #2 nearly all season long until now. Coach Ward actually hasn’t minded it at all. He thinks it gives his team a little boost mentally and gives them something to chase. Duncan punched their ticket by upsetting the host team, Tahlequah, after winning their first round match against McAlester. The Deamons have had a great season at 25-8 but unfortunately, my prediction is that it comes to an end in the first round. MSM has too many options and make too few mistakes. They are equipped with[player_tooltip player_id="144096" first="Hadley" last="Moses"] and Ally Feed both hitting OH and [player_tooltip player_id="145991" first="Jane" last="Ertl"] at MB, all while Livia Ward is tossing dimes. It can get overwhelming to try and stop them play after play.   #2 Lawton MacArthur vs #7 Southeast Lawton Mac spent most of the entire season ranked #1. With a 32-4 record, it is easy to see why. All four losses on the season have come via top 10 teams, all from 5A. They have played Southeast once this season, winning a tough four set match at Southeast. They have two players that can really make some head turning plays in [player_tooltip player_id="156861" first="Bailey" last="Lowder"] and Alayna Vines. Both are 5’10 or taller and will be back next season. Lawton Mac punched their ticket at home, beating Altus and Santa Fe South. Do not look past Southeast though, because they have only lost five matches this season. They lost two early on to ranked 6A opponents at the Sandite Invitational, Bixby and Sand Springs. The only other losses were to 3A #1 Cascia Hall twice and 5A #1 Lawton Mac. Southeast is a hard working team and they do not give up on balls. They will out dig most every team they play and do a great job with out-of-system offense. My prediction is Lawton Mac hands Southeast their sixth loss of the year, but in a very tightly contested four set match.   #3 Carl Albert vs #6 Sapulpa This is an intriguing matchup at the 3 vs 6. It has a Tyson vs Buster Douglas type feel to it. Sapulpa made the state tournament last year for the first time in school history and are back again this year. They upset Piedmont at their place last season to make it in. This year, they hosted a region and beat Will Rogers and Shawnee. Carl Albert has been a team that is notorious for making it to state. They won handily against Nathan Hale and Classes SAS to return to the final eight. Behind players like [player_tooltip player_id="143130" first="Emily" last="Boyer"] and Madison Stuart, the Titans are a solid and consistent team. They win the serve and pass game often and don't make many errors. But I think Sapulpa has a higher ceiling and will play to that level in this first round. [player_tooltip player_id="156857" first="Tyla" last="Heard"] and Stailee Heard have become solid hitting options, adding to their already big block they can put up, and include [player_tooltip player_id="144093" first="Ryann" last="Hoey"]’s attack from OH and back row. This team can be a handful when they are clicking. They play in a brutal conference with teams like Broken Arrow, Jenks and Owasso. They have played tough matches all season and will be ready for another tough match. My prediction is Sapulpa gets the upset and moves to round two of the state tournament, outlasting the Titans in a razor thin 5th set match. #4 Piedmont vs #5 Claremore Talk about a toss up, Piedmont and Claremore are two teams that have shined bright at times this season. The hitting of [player_tooltip player_id="145962" first="Kaylie" last="Marshall"] versus the digging of Becca Hilmes will be a key matchup on the night. Both athletes do a great job at their position. Claremore beat Memorial and Guymon, while Piedmont beat Clinton and Coweta to get into the round of eight. I chose against Piedmont last time and they proved me wrong in regionals. My prediction is Piedmont’s serving game keeps Claremore from getting into much of a rhythm and the Wildcats move on.