CPHS Volleyball: Running with the best, Sandites fall 2-1 in thriller with No. 6 Mustang

Mustang, OK - The Charles Page High School varsity volleyball team went 0-5 at their first tournament this season, but since then they have gone 12-3 to prove they are capable on running with the best teams the state has to offer. Although they have yet to secure an upset this season, they’re keeping the top dogs on their toes and making their foes fight hard for every win.

On Saturday the Class 6A No. 12 ranked Sandites (13-9) stole a set from No. 6 Mustang (17-4) on the Broncos’ home court in the first round of the Broncos’ home tournament, falling 2-1 in a down to the wire thriller. It was their first set won against a 6A top-ten opponent this season, though they do have wins over a few top-five teams in smaller classifications.

The home team won the first set 25-15, but let their guard down from there and dropped game two 25-23 before securing the match 15-11 in the best-of-three tie-breaker.

The Broncos jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in game two and led till the Sandites went on a six-point run with kills from Devree Youngblood and Raylynn Mong. An ace from Madison Burris made it 15-13. Sage McCaskill notched a pair of kills to tie it, but Sand Springs quickly reclaimed the lead and never gave it up. The Sandites led by as much as 24-17 before Madelyn Booth scored two kills and Annabeth Fehrle served two aces in a six-point run. The Broncos surrendered the set on a consecutive contact call to force game three.

Kills from Burris and Madison Blaylock gave the Sandites their last lead at 4-2 in set three before a pair of Fehrle kills and a series of errors gave the Broncos an insurmountable 8-4 advantage. Payton Robbins, Mong, Jacelyn Smith, and Burris combined for blocks and Burris notched the final Sandite kill before Ruby Kelley pounded in the game-winner.

Sand Springs will get a two-round bye before playing No. 16 Choctaw (8-6) and No. 20 Enid (8-9) to finish Pool Play. The Sandites previously swept Enid 3-0 earlier this month, but they have yet to meet the Yellowjackets this season. The top two teams in each four-team pool will advance to the Gold Bracket, and the entire tournament will be played Saturday.