15s Standouts at Smackdown

Derek Jackson March 27, 2023 @ 11:31 AM

This weekend was big for some of the upper ages. Plenty of solid matchups between top ranked Oklahoma teams in the gold brackets. I was lucky enough to be there all weekend long. Service is always spotty at the Titan Sports Complex but I was still able to post a handful of photos and updates on our Instagram account. Lets take a look at how some of the teams and athletes faired.   <h2>Gold Bracket Finish:</h2>   1st- Rise 15-1   2nd- Virago 15-1   3rd- Elevate 15-1   3rd- FSJ 14 Elite   It was an awesome championship match between Rise 15-1 out of the OKC area and Virago out of the Tulsa area. Plenty of highlight worthy plays on both sides of the net. The only set loss Rise 15-1 suffered was 21-25 in the second set. Virago was able to stay alive and force the 3rst set to 15. Rise was able to edge them out in a hard fought battle 15-11.   <h2>Players:</h2>   Lyida Steckel, Middle Blocker #19 for Rise 15-1. They came in as the 4th seed and was able to get to the championship via FSJ 14 Elite taking down the 1 seed, TPV 15-2, and Rise winning 25-20 25-20 over FSJ. Lydia did a great job in the handful of sets I was able to watch. She does a great job of working cross body on her swings. This forces the setter to dig and be out of system, IF they are able to dig it. That's a big IF when she has the type of quick arm and pop she puts on the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='745102' first='Bailey' last='Daniel'], Right Side Hitter #15 for Elevate 15-1. She is a highly skilled right side. She attends Enid High School but travels to Tulsa to be be apart of this solid team. They have put together a handful of tournament runs this season. Bailey has been at heart of a lot of this success. She makes great decisions when she is hitting. Knowing when power is needed and when placement is needed. I look at her as someone colleges need to take note of in the coming high school season. She will burst on the scene quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='286289' first='Rylie' last='Steward'], #7 Right Side/Setter for Virago 15-1. She do a little bit of everything. I have seen her play right side, be a setter, pass in the back row and even hit at other positions. She is an all around utility player with the skill set she possess. She does a good job of putting up a consistent block and mixing in some solid swings while in the front row. When she is setting, she has a very high touch point and has good speed to track down passes.   Cassidy Hurst, #22 Middle Blocker for Elevate 15-1. Both middles for Elevate are formidable and make life rough for opposing teams. I was definitely impressed with Hurst and her lateral quickness she has. She transitions well and this allows her to be an option on most plays. This is a big thing for younger aged middles, as they start playing within systems that play um tempo. Look for her to continue to develop with this team and become a solid player.   <h2>Wrap Up</h2>   This has been a highly entertaining season thus far and we have plenty of teams representing Oklahoma well and earning bids. Good luck to those out there traveling and we cant wait to see how the season finishes up.   Don't forget that the 2026 rankings are on the horizon, as well as, the 2023 high school season. Make sure and renew your subscription soon to stay up to date on all that happening in the volleyball word here in Oklahoma.

This weekend was big for some of the upper ages. Plenty of solid matchups between top ranked Oklahoma teams in the gold brackets. I was lucky enough to be there all weekend long. Service is always spotty at the Titan Sports Complex but I was still able to post a handful of photos and updates on our Instagram account. Lets take a look at how some of the teams and athletes faired.