Week 3 Tournaments to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at two tournaments from week three that will be the last matches before our first rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Broken Arrow Tournament</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the biggest names in Oklahoma volleyball will be here battling it out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>Jenks</li><li>Edmond Memorial</li><li>Ft. Smith Northside</li><li>Broken Arrow</li><li>Owasso</li><li>Bixby</li><li>Regent Prep</li><li>Booker T. Washington</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Jenks </em>is the defending 6A state champ and arguably last season's best team in the whole state. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='156866' first='Maren' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212410' first='Kyndal' last='Carolina'] will have them right in the mix again. I can only imagine the reason they came in at #8 in the rankings had to do with them only playing a few games thus far. They will have there opportunities to put up some big wins and climb in the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edmond Memorial</em> started the year with a 4-0 record thus far. Can Madalyn Onan and Katherin Rowe keep up the trend and win the whole tournament? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Ft. Smith Northside</em> grizzlies will be rolling into Oklahoma in hopes of seeing some quality volleyball from teams they don't usually get to see. They will get all they want from this tournament. They may get more than they bargained for. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Broken Arrow</em> lost a lot of senior talent but they are a very cohesive group this season. Lauren Harms, [player_tooltip player_id='145985' first='Hailee' last='Alexander'] and [player_tooltip player_id='194097' first='Grace' last='Marshall'] are all apart of why the Tigers are ranked top 3 in the state. Will home court advantage help them rack up some solid W's? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Owasso</em> has only dropped 1 match this season. Likely to the 5A state champs last weekend. They are as good as any in the front row behind [player_tooltip player_id='177224' first='Jada' last='Bishop'], [player_tooltip player_id='177225' first='Carley' last='Butler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='208358' first='Kiya' last='Colvin']. Will that be enough to get them into the gold bracket on Saturday? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bixby</em> has shocked some people early in the season. Finishing runner up behind Bishop Kelley and getting wins over Edmond Santa Fe, Lincoln Christina and Union was enough to get them ranked #6. [player_tooltip player_id='145964' first='Olivia' last='Vance'] is the real deal and James Madison will be getting a solid all around player next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Regent Prep</em> stole the show in class 4A going a perfect 12-0 thus far. Can [player_tooltip player_id='145983' first='Ella' last='Drake'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212413' first='Mary' last='Goodwin'] keep the streak alive as they take on some of the best in the state? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Booker T. Washington</em> made a splash multiple times last season in these type of extremely tough tournaments. Teams better not fall asleep on them, [player_tooltip player_id='212423' first='Brenna' last='Weaver'] has a great job setting and allowing Kendal Johnson to flourish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Lincoln Invitational </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be a nice mix of solid teams from all over the state. It will only be a 7 team round robin but we will get to see some awesome matchups. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>Lincoln Christian</li><li>Inola </li><li>OCS</li><li>Bishop McGuinness</li><li>Heritage Hall</li><li>OKC Storm</li><li>Putnam City North</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lincoln Christian</em> will be looking to climb the rankings with wins at their home tournament. They are ranked #5 in class 4A and for them, that is rather low. They are typically in the top 3 and love to stay there. Maybe this will add a little extra fuel to the fire for Paiton Tuggle and crew. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>OKC Storm</em> is the states best homeschool volleyball program. They regularly play tough competition and win. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='145960' first='Kady' last='Hansen'] and Emma Ringer can really turn the tide of matches when they are playing well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>OCS</em> is one of my picks to possibly win the tournament. They played a brutal schedule last season and it hasn't really changed this season. This will help get them ready for big games and moments. They seem to already be firing on all cylinders. They are tied at 5th with Lincoln in the opening rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Inola</em> starts the season ranked #7 in class 4A. They are loaded with upperclassmen, like Brooke Walker and Saige Day, who are hungry to play big teams and get their shot at redemption come regionals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bishop McGuinness</em> are currently 6-0 and ranked #2 in class 5A. Another tough test to try and maintain their position. They swept OCS and Heritage Hall already this season. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='145990' first='Grace' last='Smallwood'] to be in the mix for MVP of the tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Putnam City North</em> finished just under .500 last season. Here is a great opportunity for them to get some wins under their belt early in the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Heritage Hall</em> knocked off Inola on the road in regionals to steal the state berth. I am really looking for high energy in that rematch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season is going to be amazing! Lets keep the matches rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->