Week 5 Tournaments to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a huge weekend for tournaments. We will talk about two in this article and two more tomorrow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Comet Tournament of Champions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the biggest names in Oklahoma class 6A volleyball will be there battling it out. This may be one of the most loaded tournaments to date. These are the rankings of the teams attending; OK's #1, #2, #3, #6, #7, #9, #13, and #5 over all in the nation. So if you are looking to watch good volleyball each and every match, this is the place to be. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>Jenks</li><li>Broken Arrow</li><li>Fayetteville</li><li>Bishop Kelley</li><li>Owasso</li><li>Bixby</li><li>Norman North</li><li>Stillwater</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Jenks </em>is the defending 6A state champ. They now sit at 8-2 on the season and ranked #6 in class 6A. Both of the losses this season have come to teams that are also in this tournament. They will likely have a chance at redemption against them. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='156869' first='Kynli' last='Kirkendoll'], [player_tooltip player_id='156866' first='Maren' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='145981' first='Brynn' last='Roberts'] to be impact players for them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Broken Arrow</em> just won their home tournament and moved up to #2 in the rankings. They have already played some tough competition, so this is nothing new to them. [player_tooltip player_id='145985' first='Hailee' last='Alexander'] has done a fantastic job thus far, with the ability to go up tempo to the pins really helping Broken Arrow's offense hum. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Fayetteville</em> is ranked #5 in the nation in some polls. This team has not dropped a SET this season. Kennedy Phelan is a stud. She can hit and set with the bets of them. She is an offensive threat at all times and defenses must account for her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bishop Kelley</em> currently sits at #1 overall and hasn't dropped a match this season, while also winning the Union tournament. Currey Kendall in the front row and [player_tooltip player_id='145984' first='Jessica' last='Shildt'] in the back row, need I say more? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Owasso</em> is sitting at #3 in the state and this is their highest ranking since I have been coaching in Oklahoma. They have such a talented junior class in [player_tooltip player_id='177224' first='Jada' last='Bishop'], [player_tooltip player_id='177225' first='Carley' last='Butler'] (who somehow keeps jumping higher and higher every time I see her play), and [player_tooltip player_id='208358' first='Kiya' last='Colvin']. They will be hungry to keep this ranking and possibly scoot up even higher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bixby</em> has one of the best players in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='145964' first='Olivia' last='Vance'], she makes great plays all over the court but her drive and energy is what sets her apart. She is always excited and seems to be level headed even in big moments. DS Taya Vineyard has been a solid back row player for the Spartans and really helps them stay in system. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Norman North</em> hasn't lost in nearly a month now. They seemed to have worked out the kinks and are firing on all cylinders. [player_tooltip player_id='145968' first='Riley' last='Roberts'], [player_tooltip player_id='145961' first='Katie' last='Kolar'] and [player_tooltip player_id='156872' first='Parker' last='Gladhill'] are a crew you cannot let feel comfortable and get in a groove. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Stillwater</em>, [player_tooltip player_id='145967' first='Bess' last='Glenn'] and company, have had an impressive start to the season. They have risen all the way to #13 in the rankings and will be looking to upset more teams, after they upset Edmond Santa Fe this past week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Heather Harkness Tournament </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This has been a long time prestigious tournament. Some of Oklahoma's best will be in attendance and will battle each and every match throughout the tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>Edmond Santa Fe</li><li>Edmond North</li><li>Edmond Memorial</li><li>Deer Creek</li><li>NOAH</li><li>OKC Storm</li><li>Carl Albert</li><li>Moore</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edmond Santa Fe</em> is the host school but after after losing such a solid group of seniors, they have taken a small step back from spotlight. Don't be fooled, Coach Ethridge is a wizard and should never be counted out. [player_tooltip player_id='156853' first='Megan' last='Branson'] is an absolute work horse for this team and gives them sparks that could help ignite a fire at any moment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edmond North</em> has only played 3 teams, that were not ranked at the time, this season. They have been battle tested and will be looking to dig their heels in and get to double digit wins on the season. [player_tooltip player_id='177292' first='Emma' last='Gatewood'] is a playmaker and will need her to play big this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edmond Memorial</em> has only lost two matches this season and currently sits at #4 in the rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='156862' first='Kathrin' last='Rowe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='145973' first='Madelyn' last='Onan'] played outstanding at the Broken Arrow tournament. Someone who jumped out to me was the freshman middle blocker, Annie Hopkins. She had some really solid swings but also mixed in a few beautifully placed tips. Look for Memorial to have another great outing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Deer Creek</em> won the Norman Invitational early on and has only dropped one other match this far. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='145986' first='Julia' last='McLendon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='145979' first='Jenna' last='Houk'] to being eyeing another tournament title and some solid wins to add to the resume. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>NOAH</em> is the best homeschool team on the east side of the state. They have a hard working setter in Reagan Reeves that tracks down just about every pass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>OKC Storm</em> is the state's 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. They love coming to this tournament and making a splash.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Carl Albert</em> knocked off Lawton Mac last week, which pushed Carl Albert all the way to #6 in class 5A. We will see if they can snag any upsets this weekend to help continue their ascent. [player_tooltip player_id='143130' first='Emily' last='Boyer'] will be playing against plenty of her club teammates this weekend. Look for her to show respect but not back down an inch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Moore</em> is such a sneaky team. They are someone that should make each team a littler nervous. They have the pieces to get rolling and if they click, watch out. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='145993' first='Sara' last='Freeman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212408' first='Addison' last='Worley'] are exactly the type players I'm talking about. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season is awesome so far! Let's keep the matches rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->