Week Four 6A-II rankings and predictions; a look at this weekend's games

No. 1 Booker T. Washington Hornets (2) vs. No. 15 Ponca City Wildcats (15) *District 2

Booker T. (3-1) snapped back from their prior week's loss to West Monroe, Louisiana (4-0) with a devastating 63-0 shutout of Shawnee (2-1). The Hornets held their foes to a mere 109 offensive yards, while racking up 488 of their own. Phillip Wheatley was 9-13-166-1 and the Hornets were 32-322 on the ground. They secured two interceptions and one fumble recovery, but gave up 137 yards in penalties. 

Read the full story from Mark Foster with the Tulsa World.

Ponca (0-3) is coming off a much needed bye week after being brutalized 48-0 by Guthrie (1-2), 61-34 by Enid (2-0), and 28-7 by Edmond Memorial (1-2). 

The pick: BTW 59 Ponca 6.

No. 2 Bixby Spartans (Last week No. 1) vs. Westmoore Jaguars

The defending Division II State Champions (1-2) suffered a major blow Thursday, falling 37-35 to Putnam City (3-0) in a sloppy offensive mess. The Pirates started 16-0 and the Spartans ended 13-0, but failed a two-point pass that would have tied things up. Bixby gave up a full field's length in penalties, fumbled five times, and threw four interceptions. 

Read the full story from Jacob Unruh with The Oklahoman.

Westmoore (3-0) is still undefeated this season, winning their first three games in dominating fashion. The Class 6A-I Jaguars won their hometown rivalry series 50-18 over Moore (1-2) and 53-6 over Southmoore (0-3) before rolling over Edmond North (1-2) 42-17. Braxton George ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns on only six carries. Braxton Bohrofen passed 24-38-323-1 for three touchdowns. The Jaguars outpaced their fores 540 yards to 229.

Read the full story from Peter Agnitsch with the Edmond Sun.

The pick: Bixby 45 Westmoore 38.0

No. 3 Midwest City Bombers (3) vs. No. 4 Lawton Wolverines (5) *District 1

The Bombers (2-1) bounced back from an overtime loss to Booker T. with a 41-6 blowout of 5A Del City (1-2). Preston Colbert ran in two scores and passed 13-18-255-1 for three touchdowns to three different receivers. The run game was practically nonexistent, however with 27 carries for 43 yards. Defensively they held Del City to 213 yards while picking off two passes and snagging one fumble recovery. In a recurring trend among the top teams in 6A-II, the Bombers gave up a field's worth of penalties.

Read the full story from Adam Kemp with The Oklahoman.

Lawton (2-1) rolled over their 5A in-town rivals in Eisenhower (0-3) 67-13 with five touchdowns from Miles Davis who carried nine times for 226 yards. Alihas Hopper was equally lethal, passing 5 of 9 for 157 yards and a score.

Read the full story from Glen Brockenbush with The Lawton Constitution.

The pick: MWC 31 Lawton 27.

No. 5 Muskogee Roughers (4) vs. No. 9 Bartlesville Bruins (8) *District 2

Muskogee (1-2) lost their season opener 26-20 to Midwest City despite ending with 20 unanswered points, then shutout McAlester 54-0, then started Friday's game 10-0 for a streak of 84 unanswered points before Bentonville West (3-0) put an end to the onslaught and ultimately prevailed 43-35. The Roughers gave up 116 yards in penalties, fumbled twice and lost one. Jacob Medrano passed 23-40-328-0 with three scores, while Kristian Hillmon led the ground game with 10 carries for 57 yards and a score. Head Coach Rafe Watkins credited thirteen dropped passes, one that could have been a score, as a top contributing factor in the loss. 

Read the full story from Mike Kays with the Muskogee Phoenix.

Bartlesville (1-2) kicked off the season with a 30-25 victory over 5A McAlester (0-3), but dropped their past two games 56-14 to 6A-I Owasso (3-0) and 48-29 to 4A Cascia Hall (1-2). Noah Sunday threw 15 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns against the Commandos. The Bruins lost their Head Coach two weeks ago, putting the reigns in the hands of interim coach Kyle Ppool. They had a bye week to adapt to the changes.

Read the full story from Nathan Thompson with the Bartlesville Examiner.

The Pick: Muskogee 47 Bartlesville 21.

No. 6 Putnam City Pirates (10) vs. No. 7 Choctaw Yellowjackets (6) *District 1

Putnam City (3-0) pulled off a massive 37-35 upset against the defending State Champions from Bixby (1-2) thanks to a powerful passing game, solid defense, and a whole lot of Spartan miscues. A.J. Newsome was 23-38-418-2 with all five Pirate touchdowns. The Pirates won the turnover battle with one fumble recovery and four interceptions, and blocked a punt for a safety in the first quarter, jumping out to a 16-0 lead. 

Choctaw (3-0) is on their first 3-0 start since 1982 after dominating Putnam City North (1-2) 42-14. Hudson Woods was 19-27-158 passing with two touchdowns and added another 95 yards on the ground. The Yellowjackets amassed 220 rushing yards in the murderous campaign.

Read the full story from Ryan Horton with the Chcotaw Times.

The pick: Putnam 34 Choctaw 24.

No. 8 Sand Springs Sandtes (7) vs. No. 14 Sapulpa Chieftains (14) *District 2

Charles Page High School (1-2) notched their first win of the season 28-14 against Putnam City West (1-2), finally getting the monkey off their back in regards to the passing game. The bulk of their offense came from Payton Scott's 34 carries for 231 yards and three touchdowns, but Caden Pennington had his breakout game passing 6-12-145-1 for a touchdown. Scott was also the leading receiver with 3 catches for 91 yards and a score. Defensively the Sandites recorded two forced fumbles, one recovery, and one interception.

Read the full story from Scott Emigh with Sandite Pride News.

Sapulpa (0-3) is off to a rough start this year, falling 28-12 to Duncan (1-2), 27-20 to Choctaw (3-0), and 38-3 to Bishop Kelley (2-1). 

The pick: CPHS 35 Sapulpa 12.

No. 10 Enid Plainsmen (9) vs. No. 13 Putnam City West Patriots (13) *District 2

Enid (2-1) suffered their first loss of the year 60-34 at the hands of 5A powerhouse Bishop McGuinness (3-0), putting up 454 yards to the Irish's 640. Mason Skrimager passed 25-44-228-0 with one touchdown in the loss, and picked up another score on a 66-yard run. The Plainsmen finished with 226 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, three of which came from outside the red zone. The Plainsmen were well disciplined with no fumbles, no interceptions, and only five penalties for 26 yards. 

Read the full story from Dave Ruthenberg with Enid News.

Putnam West (1-2) had a hard-fought 28-14 loss to Sand Springs. The Patriots had zero passing game, making only one completion for eight yards, and throwing one interception to accompany their six fumbles. On the ground they were 48-276.

The pick: Enid 42 PCW 21.

No. 11 Deer Creek Antlers (11) vs. No. 12 Stillwater Pioneers (12) *District 1

Deer Creek (2-1) snapped back from a 38-21 loss to Edmond Santa Fe (2-2) with a 27-14 win over Edmond Memorial (2-2). Hunter Freese passed 14-25-252 with two touchdowns and ran the ball nine times for 66 yards. 

Read the full story from Aaron Albertson with the Edmond Sun.

Stillwater (3-0) had a huge 31-14 upset win over Mustang (2-1), utilizing six turnovers to stun a team that had dominated its first two opponents. Gunnar Gundy passed 12-22-105-0 for one touchdown, while Qwontrel Walker lit up the ground with 27 carries for 159 yards and one touchdown. Tyler Disidore added another 7 carries for 77 yards and two scores. 

Read the full story from Jimmy Gillispie with the Stillwater News Press.

The pick: Stillwater 28 Deer Creek 17. 
 

Scott Emigh
Editor-in-Chief
Overall: 23-10 (.697)
Last Week: 8-3 (.727)
Last Year: 48-21 (.695)

Virgil Noah
Staff Writer
Overall: 11-10* (.523)
Last Week: 7-4 (.636)
Last Year: 43-26 (.623)

*Virgil missed the first week of picks.

CPHS Softball: Lady Sandites run-rule Stillwater 16-4 in district road game

Kimi Presnell hit a home run in last week's loss to Broken Arrow, then went 3-for-3 against Stillwater with three runs. 

The Charles Page High School varsity softball team (17-3 overall, 8-1 district) suffered their first district loss of the year Thursday as Broken Arrow (30-3, 9-0) run-ruled the Lady Sandites 20-6 in less than five innings. The Sandites saw their nine-game win streak come to a close, but got back on track Tuesday in Stillwater with a 16-4 six-inning beat-down against the Pioneers (11-10, 6-4).

University of Northern Iowa-commit Jacie Taber (12-1 season, 25-8 career) suffered her first loss of the year at the hands of Broken Arrow, giving up nine walks and fourteen hits with no strikeouts.

Anyone who believes in signs might have their doubts after watching Kimi Presnell hit a solo home run to start the game in the Sandites' favor. That good omen proved meaningless as the home team piled on seven runs of their own in the same inning. 

Sand Springs let two on base with a walk and an error. Both McKenzie Carney and Grace Jarvis scored on a double from Mary Collins, who later scored on a passed ball. Raegan Edwards was hit by pitch, McKayla Carney reached base on balls, and both came in on a single from Maci Cole. Cole scored on an error for the final run of the inning. 

The Sandites got to cut into the deficit right away as Felicity Horn drew a walk and scored on a double from Jensen Arnold. Cameron Clemons singled and came in on a sacrifice fly from Taber, then Kinsey Skaggs scored on an error while running courtesy for Arnold.

Broken Arrow managed just a single single in the second and the Sandites did more damage in the top of the third. Elizabeth Luttrell walked, Horn reached on an error, and Clemons singled to load the bases. Arnold sent a ground ball to short, Carney found Jarvis at second, who hit Edwards at first for a double play, but not before Luttrell found home plate in all the ruckus. Horn got to come home just one pitch later on a single from Taber to cut the score to 7-6.

All that work was undone in the bottom of the inning, however. Five walks and five hits gave the Tigers nine runs for the 16-6 advantage. Four hits, one walk, and an error in the fourth gave Broken Arrow four more runs, and the Sandite offense was held fruitless in the top of the fifth, securing the Tiger victory by run-rule. 

Tuesday's game against Stillwater was a complete reversal of Thursday's mishap, and this time it was the Sandites who hit their way to an early victory. Taber didn't have her best night on the mound, but she got the job done with four strikeouts against five hits and two walks. 

Sand Springs jumped out to a quick lead with singles from Presnell and Makenna Skaggs and a walk from Sabrina Usher. Presnell took advantage of an unguarded home plate for the first run of the game, then Usher came in on a single from Luttrell soon after. Luttrell made it a 3-0 lead, scoring on a double from Horn. 

Julia Cottrill hit a home run for the first Pioneer plate appearance of the game, but the visitors went right back to work in the second inning. Arnold and Taber hit singles, courtesy runner Kinsey Skaggs scored on a sacrifice fly from Makenna Skaggs, then courtesy runner Drew Hawkins scored on a single from Usher. Usher scored on an error by the catcher, then Madelyn Blair singled and scored on a single from Horn to make it 7-1.

In the top of the third Taber walked and was replaced on base by Hawkins, then Presnell doubled. Both scored on a double from Makenna Skaggs, who in turn scored on a single from Blair. Cottrill sent another dinger out of the park in the bottom of the third, and once again it was the lone run of the inning for the home team. Horn added another run for Sand Springs in the top of the fourth, scoring on a single from Taber.

Cottrill went three-for-three at the plate, but went with a ground ball rather than a rocket in the bottom of the fifth. She still got to cross home plate for a third time, however, as Alexis Hoang got her turn clearing the fence. 

The Sandites put the game away in the top of the sixth with a walk and five hits for a 16-4 advantage. Presnell, Usher, Luttrell, and Horn singled, Blair doubled, and Clemons hit a sacrifice fly. Stillwater put two on base in the bottom of the inning thanks to an error and a walk, but both were stranded and the visitors secured the victory. 

The Lady Sandites will return to action Wednesday with a 4:00 p.m. rematch against Broken Arrow at the Sandite Sports Complex. 

CPHS Volleyball: Mutiri scores 15 kills in 3-0 upset loss to No. 20 Bixby

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The No. 20 ranked Bixby Spartans (8-13) hosted No. 12 Sand Springs (8-12) Tuesday evening at the Whitey Ford Sports Complex and sent the Sandites home with a 3-0 loss. The Sandites slipped to 2-5 in Frontier Valley Conference standings while Bixby improved to 4-3 with the upset sweep.

Bixby 3 CPHS 0
Set One: 25-21 Bixby
Set Two: 25-22 Bixby
Set Three: 25-22 Bixby

Kills: Bixby 40, CPHS 25.
Blocks: CPHS 4, Bixby 3.
Aces: Bixby 9, CPHS 3.
Service Errors: Bixby 4, CPHS 2.

(CPHS Individual Stats)
Kills: Mutiri 15, Cypert 3, Neely 3, Wyrick 2, Madison Ward 1, Burris 1.
Assists: Burris 20, Mong 1.
Blocks: Mutiri 4.
Digs: Mutiri 6, Madison Ward 4, Wise 1, Blaylock 1, Cypert 1, Makenzie Ward 1, Wyrick 1.

(Bixby Individual Stats)
Kills: Little 11, Justus 10, Childs 8, Hayles 7, Clark 2, Roth 2.
Assists: Roth 11, Clark 10, Roper 3, Childs 1.
Aces: Hoffman 3, Little 3, Childs 1, Davis 1, Roth 1.
Blocks: Hayles 2, Little 2, Childs 1, Clark 1. 

All three games were fairly close, but the Sandites were low on offense and slow on defense, amounting to losses of 25-21, 25-22, and 25-22. Gloria Mutiri led all scorers with fifteen kills and four blocks, while Madison Burris did the bulk of the setting for the Sandites, recording 20 assists. Kayla Little and Gaby Justus both broke double digits for the Spartan offense.

It seemed like the Sandites would have a typical, successful night at first. Cloe Campfield started off the match with an ace. Sophie Childs scored a kill to tie things up, then Chelsea Neely took the lead back for Sand Springs. Emma Clark hit back-to-back kills to tie it at 3-3, but Mutiri helped push the Sandites back out front to 7-4. The Spartans took a 9-8 lead with a pair of aces from Little, the game tied again at 9-9, then Bixby took the lead once and for all with a kill from Justus. 

For ten-straight rallies neither team could score back-to-back points and the Sandites were right behind their foes at 18-16, then Bixby went on a five-point run with a kill from Sydney Hayles and an ace from Josie Hoffman. The ball was in the Sandites' court, and they tried their best to undo the damage. Mutiri, Justus, and Neely exchanged kills and Mutiri scored a block, but Childs secured the 25-21 win for the home team. 

The second set was equally competitive, but this time it was the home team who took the initial lead with an ace from Hoffman. Neely tied it at 1-1, Mutiri tied it at 2-2, and Makenna Cypert tied it at 17-17, but Sand Springs never once took the lead. Bixby ultimately prevailed 25-22.

Campfield gave the Sandites another 1-0 lead with an ace in set three, but Skyler Roth aced for the Spartans to tie it at 2-2. The teams exchanged consecutive contact points, then Callie Davis scored an ace for the 4-3 Spartan lead. The game tied at 6-6 with a kill from Mutiri, 11-11 on a Spartan error, 13-13 on a kill from Vanessa Wyrick, and 20-20 with a block from Mutiri. 

Bixby led by as much as 20-16 before Mutiri blocked, Madison Ward aced, and Mutiri blocked again to tie it up. Sand Springs gave up a point on an error, but Mutiri took it right back with a spike to the face of Justus. Hayles avenged her comrade's pride with a kill for the lead, and the Spartans never looked back, securing the 25-22 win with an ace from Hoffman to complete the upset. 

The Lady Sandites will look to bounce back from the loss when they travel to the Stillwater tournament this Friday. The Spartans will travel to Ponca City (11-10) this Thursday where they hope to avenge a 3-0 loss from the Norman tournament earlier this season. 

CPHS Volleyball: No. 12 Sandites sweep 5A No. 5 Victory Christian 3-0

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The No. 12 ranked Charles Page High School varsity volleyball team (8-11) won their second-straight 3-0 sweep Monday evening at the Ed Dubie Field House, upsetting 5A No. 5 Victory Christian (21-8) in a 3-0 payback win. The Lady Sandites conquered the Conquerors 25-16, 25-16, and 25-21.

CPHS 3 VC 0
Set One: 25-16 CPHS
Set Two: 25-16 CPHS
Set Three: 25-21 CPHS

(Individual Statistics)
Kills: Mutiri 13, Cypert 6, Campfield 4, Johnson 2, Madison Ward 1, Burris 1, Neely 1.
Assists: Burris 21, Madison Ward 1, Mutiri 1.
Aces: Mutiri 4, Madison Ward 4, Campfield 1, Burris 1, Makenzie Ward 1, Cypert 1. 
Blocks: Mutiri 2, Campfield 1.
Digs: Mutiri 3, Blaylock 1, Burris 1, Madison Ward 1, Makenzie Ward 1.

Gloria Mutiri led the team as usual with 13 kills, two blocks, and four aces, but was far from the only contributor in the dominating sweep. Makenna Cypert is on a roll lately, scoring six kills for the second-straight match, this time adding an ace and recording far less hitting errors. Cloe Campfield was next in line with four kills, one ace, and one block. Madison Ward served four aces, Madison Burris recorded 21 assists, and Mutiri led with three digs. 

The Lady Sandites own a losing record after an 0-8 streak a month ago, but have won six of their last nine matches, while playing one of their toughest schedules in recent memory. All of their losses have come at the hands of top-ten ranked teams, most of their losses were highly competitive, and half of their wins can be considered upsets.  

The girls placed third at the Broken Arrow Tournament, topping No. 5 Edmond Memorial 3-2, No. 11 Owasso 3-0, and No. 16 Southmoore 3-0. Since then they went toe-to-toe with 5A No. 5 Bishop Kelley and fell in a wild 3-2 battle, then swept 5A No. 7 Coweta 3-0 and No. 14 Owasso 3-0. They fell 3-1 to No. 7 Union, but are on a six-set streak after avenging a 3-1 loss to Victory Christian from earlier this season. 

Sand Springs will return to action Tuesday the 19th with a Frontier Valley Conference road game against No. 20 Bixby (7-13). The Spartans (3-3) are sixth in Conference standings while the Sandites are seventh (2-4). Bixby still has two conference matches left against 5A No. 4 Bishop Kelley and No. 9 Union. Sand Springs still has to play No. 7 Broken Arrow, unranked Muskogee, and unranked Sapulpa. 

CPHS Football: Payton Scott's 322 yards and 4 TDs lead Sandites to 28-14 victory

Sponsored by Nozak Consulting.

The No. 7 ranked Charles Page High School football team (1-2) finally got in the win column Friday night in Warr Acres with a 28-14 performance against the No. 13 Putnam City West Patriots (1-2). The home team hung tight with the Sandites through most of the game, but were unable to overcome the staggering Sandite defense and potent play-making of Payton Scott.

CPHS 28 PCW 14
1Q All 7-7
2Q CPHS 7-0
3Q All 7-7
4Q CPHS 7-0

Passing: CPHS 6-12-145-1, PCW 1-6-8-1.
Rushing: PCW 48-276, CPHS 44-238.
Plays-Offense: CPHS 56-383, PCW 54-246.
First Downs: CPHS 14, PCW 11.
Penalties: CPHS 5-45, PCW 5-45.
Fumbles/Lost: PCW 6/1, CPHS 2/2.

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Scott, a 5'5" 180 pound running back and wrestling State Champion, has been the Sandites' bread and butter this season. Just last week he carried 40 times for 214 yards and two touchdowns. This week he only needed 34 runs to amass 231 yards and three touchdowns. 

The Sandites saw major improvement in the passing game, which has been practically nonexistent in the past two weeks. Theoretically, junior quarterback Caden Pennington should be about 50% on completions this year. Unfortunately, after graduating the entire varsity receiving team, the young guns he's throwing to have been unable to secure the ball.

Pennington was still throwing long on the few deep attempts he made, but the Sandites compensated by cutting his distance and relying primarily on screen passes. The formula worked, and Scott had the biggest receiving night of his career with three receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. Dash Fleischman hauled in one pass for 40 yards, and Braden Millican took two hits for 14 yards, leaving Pennington with a career high 6-12-145 performance and his first varsity touchdown.

The home team made a statement on their opening drive, marching 61 yards for an 11-yard touchdown run from Anthony Johnson. Dylan Smith kicked the extra point and the Sandites were in a 7-0 hole just three minutes into the game.

Never daunted, the Sandites responded with an 80-yard march in seven plays. Pennington hit Millican for his first pass of the night, picking up a first down in six yards thanks to a Patriot penalty. Next he showed off his scramble, snagging four yards after a bad hike prevented the planned pass.

Scott's first run came up negative, but he snatched his first screen of the night and took it 37 yards. Then Scott dragged a pair of defenders for four yards after contact and snagged a first down in the redzone on his second run of the night. Two snaps later and the rugged running back broke multiple contacts for an 18-yard scoring run. Jaden Weiser's kick sailed true and it was a tie ballgame at Putnam City Stadium.

The teams traded possession from there and Sand Springs lit up the scoreboard three plays into the second quarter with a 52-yard screen play from Pennington to Scott for the lead. Weiser's kick made it 14-7, which would remain the score at half time.

With three minutes left in the third quarter the Sandites made it a two possession game thanks to a 31-yard carry from Scott. The home team responded in a mere three plays. Tyvon Ellis took a handoff 65 yards before being toppled at the four-yard line by Joel Mackey. Mackey may have clocked the fastest sprint in the night to prevent the touchdown, hitting Ellis so hard that the senior back couldn't get off the field for a good five minutes. Not to worry though, Ellis made it back in the fourth quarter for a quick run before being clobbered all over again by the lethal Sandite defense. 

Unfortunately, Mackey's magnificent play couldn't prevent the inevitable and the Patriots scored two plays later with a 1-yard run from Larrell Smith. 

In the fourth quarter Patriot kicker Dylan Smith tried to boot a field goal from the 34-yard line but came up dry, and Sand Springs returned to a double-digit lead on their next possession.

Fleischman took his lone pass of the night and made it count, breaking three tackles for 40 yards. Scott took it the rest of the way and scored from five yards out. Weiser finished the night perfect for a final score of 28-14.

Defensively the Sandites made several big plays, forcing three punts and two fumbles, hauling in one interception, and three turnovers on downs. Braden Askew hauled in his first pick of the season on a deep pass at the two-yard line, likely preventing a Patriot score. Kameron Adcock and Jerry Lyons both forced fumbles, and Askew secured one of the Patriot's six dropped balls. Hayden Cramer was the quick man to the ball, finishing with a team high 11 tackles.

The Sandites will return to action next Friday with a Highway 97 rivalry road game against No. 14 Sapulpa (0-3) who most recently fell 38-3 to Bishop Kelley (2-1).

Sand Springs Individual Statistics

Passing: Pennington 6-12-145-1.
Rushing: Scott 34-231, McCallie 2-9, Mackey 1-8, Pennington 7-(-10).
Receiving: Scott 3-91, Fleischman 1-40, Millican 2-14.
Punting: Smith 4-145.
Kicking: Weiser 5-166.
Tackles: Cramer 11, Fleischman 7, Edwards 7, Mackey 6, Fain 4, Denton 3, L. Adcock 2, Haley 2, Finch 1, Lyons 1. 
Tackles-for-loss: Finch 1-4. 
Breakups: Lyons 1.
Kickoff Returns: Scott 1-34, Mackey 1-14.
Interceptions: Askew 1. 
Forced Fumbles: K. Adcock 1, Lyons 1. 

Choctaw Individual Statistics

Passing: Cotton 1-5-8-1, Ansley 0-1-0-0.
Rushing: Ellis 9-85, Johnson 5-67, Ansley 7-57, Sharp 8-43, Smith 4-7, Cotton 14-5.
Receiving: Trotman 1-8.
Kick Returns: Ingram 3-57.
Punting: Henry 3-102.
Kicking: Smith 3-150.

Sand Springs Volleyball program seeing success from the ground up

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The Lady Sandite Junior Varsity Volleyball team took second place at the Victory Christian Tournament. (Courtesy Photo).

The volleyball culture is changing in Sand Springs. Not too long ago, the Sandites were playing 3A and 4A tournaments and hoping for a break-even season record. Now they're scheduling the toughest competitors in the State and focusing more on the post-season than anything. 

While the Charles Page High School varsity team currently holds a losing record at 7-11, they're ranked No. 12 in Class 6A and are posing a legitimate threat to everyone they encounter. Thus far this season they have managed to upset the defending State Champions, placed third at a tough Broken Arrow Tournament, and won sets against powerhouse opponents like No. 8 Union, No. 4 Stillwater, and No. 5 Victory Christian. 

Head Coach Janna Green is in her fourth year at the helm of the Sand Springs program, meaning the current group of seniors is the first class to go through the program completely under Green's guidance. Last season the Sandites went 25-14, but peaked at the No. 13 ranking and saw their season come to a close at No. 4 Edmond Santa Fe, who hasn't lost a home Regional in a quarter-century. Green was recognized as the Frontier Valley Conference Coach of the Year.

The Sandites have been improving every week, most recently sweeping No. 14 Owasso in straight-sets, and doing so without their number two scorer in sophomore Devree Youngblood. They have ten matches left to improve their ranking before the Regional pairings are released. At least three of those matches are against ranked opponents that could earn the Sandites some points in the standings.

A major part of their success is that the whole team is developing the skill sets needed to compete at the top level. While the Sandites are anchored offensively by Division One recruit Gloria Mutiri, they have proven that every player on the court knows how to do her job and do it well. 

Sixteen players have seen varsity action this season and twelve have recorded kills. While the Sandites will graduate 69% of their scoring power this year, they'll retain their number-two hitter in Youngblood, their number-one setter in sophomore Madison Burris, and a whole mess of younger talent. 

Sophomores Gillian Wicker, Raylynn Mong, and Vanessa Wyrick have all seen varsity action this year. Cloe Campfield has proven herself as one of the most energetic players on the team. One freshman has even gotten in on the action in Madison Blaylock. A dozen other high-school athletes are seeing time on the JV and freshman teams, working hard to develop their potential and carry on the tradition in the years to come. 

The JV squad recently took on the B-teams from other top-level schools and placed second at the Victory Christian Tournament last week. The girls defeated the host school 2-1 with sets of 25-19, 15-17, and 15-11. They swept Catoosa (25-10, 25-19), topped Collinsville (25-16, 19-25, 15-12), then beat out Skiatook (12-25, 25-14, 15-11) in the semifinals before falling 17-25 and 19-25 to Lincoln Christian in the Championship round. The varsity programs from Victory Christian, Catoosa, Skiatook, and Lincoln Christian are all ranked top-ten in their classes.

While Sand Springs will no doubt miss the likes Mutiri, Madison and Makenzie Ward, libero Kylie Taylor, outside hitters Makenna Cypert and Kenzie Bradshaw, among others next year, the program will be more than capable of moving forward in their new tradition of competitiveness. 

With a dozen players seeing action on any given night, successful underclassman programs, a growing number of club athletes, and the dedicated coaching of Green, Alyssa Bargas, Brannon Scott, Lindsey Schwager, and Abby Harp, the Lady Sandite volleyball program is in good shape for years to come.

Varsity Mid-Season Stats

Sets Played
62 Madison Burris
62 Gloria Mutiri
61 Madison Ward
59 Chelsea Neely
58 Makenzie Ward
58 Kylie Taylor
52 Cloe Campfield
50 Makenna Cypert
47 Devree Youngblood
38 Kendall Wise
35 Kenzie Bradshaw
30 Kailie Johnson
25 Vanessa Wyrick
6 Raylynn Mong
3 Madison Blaylock
1 Gillian Wicker

Blocks
52 Gloria Mutiri
19 Chelsea Neely
7 Madison Burris
7 Makenna Cypert
7 Vanessa Wyrick
4 Devree Youngblood
2 Kailie Johnson
1 Kenzie Bradshaw
1 Cloe Campfield

Kills
282 Gloria Mutiri
94 Devree Youngblood
43 Madison Burris
28 Makenna Cypert
18 Kenzie Bradshaw
18 Cloe Campfield
16 Chelsea Neely
6 Vanessa Wyrick
4 Kailie Johnson
3 Kylie Taylor
2 Madison Ward
1 Kendall Wise

Digs
74 Kylie Taylor
59 Gloria Mutiri
51 Madison Ward
28 Madison Burris
21 Cloe Campfield
17 Makenzie Ward
9 Kendall Wise
5 Devree Youngblood
1 Makenna Cypert
1 Raylynn Mong

Assists
294 Madison Burris
96 Makenzie Ward
9 Kenzie Bradshaw
7 Gloria Mutiri
5 Raylynn Mong
4 Makenna Cypert
3 Cloe Campfield
3 Kailie Johnson
3 Kylie Taylor
2 Chelsea Neely
1 Madison Ward
1 Devree Youngblood

Aces
18 Gloria Mutiri
13 Cloe Campfield
13 Makenzie Ward
11 Madison Burris
10 Madison Ward
9 Kylie Taylor
8 Kendall Wise
8 Devree Youngblood
1 Makenna Cypert
1 Vanessa Wyrick