CPHS Volleyball Season Preview: Sandites to host Bixby Tuesday

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Head Coach Derek Jackson speaks to Jacelyn Smith during the 2019 season.

The fall sports season officially starts Tuesday for the Charles Page High School volleyball team, who will host Bixby at 6:30 p.m. in the Frontier Valley Conference league opener. The match will be held at the Ed Dubie Field House, and fans will be required to wear masks.

Head Coach Derek Jackson is entering his second year leading the Sandites, and hopes to build on the previous season’s success. Prior to his arrival the team hadn’t posted a winning record since 2016, and hadn’t won a tournament in even longer.

The 2019 Sandites accomplished both of those goals, posting an 18-14 overall record, a 5-4 conference record, and won their inaugural home tournament. They also sent two players to the next level, with Raylynn Mong signing to play at Ottawa University, and Devree Youngblood signing with Oklahoma Baptist University.

“Last year I think gave us a level of hope that they hadn’t had in a while,” says Jackson. “We took a great step in the right direction bumping our wins from 6 to 18 but we want to continue that trend.” Goals for this year include improving defensively, improving on serving, and on service reception. They also aim to be in the gold bracket at all three of their tournaments this season, to win their home tournament again, and to earn another winning record.

Youth will be the biggest obstacle for the team to overcome. In addition to Mong and Youngblood, they also have to replace Madison Burris, Cloe Campfield, Vanessa Wyrick, McKenzie Harris, and Gillian Wicker, who were all significant contributors to the team.

“21 of our 31 high school players will be sophomores or freshmen this year. We will be very young but we have some quickly rising talent and some solid mature players to guide them. Olivia Dewitt, Payton Robbins, and Layla Lenex will all see quality minutes as sophomores, while Evyn Morrow and Averi Tippit have shown a lot of progress as freshmen.”

“Madison Blaylock, Kasidy Holland, and Charley Fahland will be our captains this year. They are our tone setters and energy enforcers. They all possess great leadership skills that we will need this year. I think Payton Robbins and Sophie Singleton have the chance to really help us on Offense and Defense.”

Blaylock is the top returning contributor this year, having played almost every set as a junior. She was one of the top defensive players with over 320 digs, and had more than 40 aces. She will continue to start as libero. Jacelyn Smith is the other returning starter, with lots of experience and talent at middle blocker. Lenex, Robbins, Fahland, Dewitt, and Tehya Johnson will round out the starting unit.

Despite their youth, the team has its strengths. “We have really gelled as a team early in the season,” says Jackson. “Our back row will be even stronger than last year despite earning almost 1500 digs last year. We will look to up our SR rating as well.”

“We are going for a slower, smarter and a more balanced offense compared to last year,” says Jackson. “We may not be as flashy and run a lot of combinations but we will look to have far less errors this year.”

“We are wanting to start strong. Our first two week will make up nearly half of our games on the year. If we can start off well then we think that will put us in a good position physically and mentally for the rest of the year. Then, the following Tuesday, we will look to keep the Highway 97 Rivalry Trophy in Sand Springs again this year.”

The season will see some changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks will be mandatory for fans. Even coaches, players, and officials will have to wear them when they’re not on the court. Fans are encouraged to purchase All-Sport season passes to reduce contact with box office workers. Currently, occupancy has not been cut, but if statewide cases continue to rise, or a localized outbreak occurs, the district could enforce additional restrictions.

“We have done really well about taking our precautions and being smart with what we do outside of the gym,” says Jackson. We have hosted five scrimmages, so far all teams/fans/coaches have said they have not had one person sick due to them, which has brightened up some outlook on the season and the chance we have on having a full season.”

2020 CPHS Varsity Volleyball Schedule
8.11 CPHS vs. Bixby (H) - 6:30 p.m.
8.14 - 8.15 Sandite Invitational
8.14 CPHS vs. Tecumseh (H) - 9:00 a.m.
8.14 CPHS vs. Lawton (H) - 11:00 a.m.
8.14 CPHS vs. Sapulpa (H) - 2:00 p.m.
8.14 CPHS vs. Booker T. Washington (H) - 5:00 p.m.
8.15 CPHS vs. Edison Prep (H) - 9:00 a.m.
8.15 CPHS vs. Bishop Kelley Red (H) - 11:00 a.m.
8.15 CPHS vs. NOAH (H) - 2:00 p.m.
8.21 - 8.22 Holland Hall Tournament
8.25 CPHS vs. Sapulpa (A) - 6:30 p.m.
8.27 CPHS vs. Owasso (A) - 6:30 p.m.
8.29 CPHS vs. McAlester (H) - 12:00 p.m.
8.29 CPHS vs. Santa Fe South (H) - 3:00 p.m.
9.1 CPHS vs. Bartlesville (H) - 6:30 p.m.
9.3 CPHS vs. Enid (H) - 6:00 p.m.
9.10 CPHS vs. Berryhill (H) - 6:00 p.m.
9.15 CPHS vs. Muskogee (A) - 6:30 p.m.
9.18 - 9.19 Glenpool Tournament
9.22 CPHS vs. Jenks (H) - 6:30 p.m.
9.29 CPHS vs. Booker T. Washington (A) - 6:30 p.m.
10.1 CPHS vs. Claremore (A) - 6:00 p.m.
10.6 CPHS vs. Union (H) - 6:30 p.m.
10.8 CPHS vs. Collinsville (H) - 6:30 p.m.

Madison Burris receives NIAAA scholarship

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Madison Burris and family at the 2020 Basketball Senior Night.

Recent Charles Page High School graduate Madison Burris has been announced as the recipient of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) student scholarship. Burris was a two-year starter on the CPHS varsity basketball team, and a four-year starter on the varsity volleyball team.

According to the NIAAA, the scholarship “recognize(s) the distinguished scholastic, leadership, and sportsmanship attributes of high school student-athletes, and the importance of high school athletics in each student’s life.”

Burris was nominated for the scholarship by Sand Springs Athletic Director Rod Sitton, and had to write an essay on “How High School Athletics has Impacted my Life.” Applicants for the scholarship must have achieved at least two of the following: a minimum of a B+ average, be ranked in the top 25% of their class, an ACT score of 24, or an SAT score of 1100. She also had to participate in two sports for at least two years each, and must have earned at least one varsity letter in both sports.

The NIAAA awarded only two scholarships per state, one for a male and one for a female.

In her senior volleyball campaign, Burris played every single set and was third on the team in kills, second in assists, fourth in blocks, fourth in digs, and second in aces. The girls went 18-14 overall for their first winning record since 2016, and won their inaugural home tournament.

In basketball the Lady Sandites went 15-8 and won the Bishop Kelley Invitational. Burris started every game, averaging 5 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 6.8 points per game. She led her team in scoring on three occasions and posted a career-high 17 points against Muskogee.

NCAA Volleyball: Gloria Mutiri announces transfer to University of Oregon

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Charles Page High School alumna Gloria Mutiri kicked off the new year by announcing her intent to transfer from Kansas State University to the University of Oregon.

Mutiri was a mid-year graduate and early-enrollee from the Class of 2018. She was previously committed to Ohio State University before decommitting and signing with Kansas State in November of 2017. She finished her senior year with 524 kills, 79 blocks, and 106 digs in a 15-18 campaign, and was an All-State selection.

Mutiri was a two-year starter with the Wildcats, who wrapped up the season 9-19 overall and 4-12 in the Big 12. They were 15-12 in her freshman year, but have been in the bottom two of the conference for three-straight years.

In her two years with the Wildcats, Mutiri accounted for 553 kills, 8 assists, 20 aces, 322 digs, and 137 blocks. She was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team and All-Big 12 Rookie Team after her freshman year.

Oregon finished the 2019 season 9-20 overall and 5-15 for 9th place in the Pac-12, but are only a year removed from a 23-11 season that saw a program-best 13-7 runner-up conference finish. They are led by Head Coach Matt Ulmer, who is 50-43 after three seasons.

Oregon will look to replace three-time All Pac-12 selection Ronika Stone, as well as number-three scorer Willow Johnson, but will return ten of the twelve players who saw action this year. The Ducks’ 2019 recruiting class was ranked third in the nation by VolleyballMag.com, and Mutiri could provide an anchor for third-straight top-six class.

CPHS Volleyball: Raylynn Mong signs with Ottawa University

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Charles Page High School senior Raylynn Mong signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Ottawa University Wednesday morning.

Mong received an All-Conference Honorable Mention after helping her team to an 18-14 record record this season. She posted a team-high 376 assists and team-high 45 aces, along with 2 blocks and 189 digs.

Ottawa is a private Baptist university in Ottawa, Kansas competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Braves went 27-13 last year and were 11-1 for second place in the conference standings. They won the post-season conference tournament and made their fourth-straight trip to the NAIA National Tournament. They are currently 20-14, 9-3 in the current season.

Ottawa is coached by Melissa Blessington in her sixth season. She owns a 166-66 overall record and 95-11 conference record with the Braves.

CPHS Volleyball: Devree Youngblood signs with Oklahoma Baptist University

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Charles Page High School senior Devree Youngblood signed a letter of intent Wednesday morning to play volleyball at Oklahoma Baptist University. Youngblood was a four-year starter at outside hitter/middle blocker.

Youngblood led her team to an 18-14 season this year and the team put up two winning records in her career. She got an All-Conference Honorable Mention as a sophomore and made the All-Conference first team and Academic All-Conference teams the past two seasons. She made the All-Tournament teams at the 2018 Union and Broken Arrow Tournaments, and the 2019 Sand Springs, Mustang, and Union tournaments.

In her senior year Youngblood accounted for 260 kills, 12 assists, 6 solo blocks, 48 assisted blocks, 326 digs, and 38 aces. She led the team in kills and digs.

OBU is a private Baptist school in Shawnee, competing in the NCAA Division 2 level and Great American Conference. The Bison went 16-17 last season and 9-7 in conference, but are currently 24-5 and 13-2. They are led by twelfth-year head coach Anna Howle, who owns a 312-137 record.

Sandite Alumni Report: Fall sports wrapping up, lots of Sandites see action

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Gloria Mutiri was the No. 2 scorer on her team in a 3-0 loss to Iowa State.

Volleyball

Kansas State University (8-15, 3-8) fell 3-0 to Iowa State (16-8, 7-5) last week in sets of 25-21, 25-20, and 25-18. Sophomore Gloria Mutiri played all three sets and recorded 5 kills, 1 solo block, and 2 digs as the second-highest scoring player on her team. The Wildcats will travel to No. 1 Texas (17-2, 11-0) Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Men’s Golf

University of Denver sophomore Carson Griggs finished the fall season with an even performance for 31st place at the Hoakalei Country Club Invitational in Hawaii, helping his team to a ninth-place finish. The Pioneers will return to action in the spring at the Mobile Sports Authority Intercollegiate tournament in Mobile Alabama on February 10th.

Men’s Soccer

Former Sandite and Men’s Head Coach at Oral Roberts University, Ryan Bush has led the No. 20 ranked Golden Eagles to a 13-3 record thus far in the season. ORU will play at Denver in the first round of the Summit League Championship Thursday at 5:00 p.m.

Oklahoma Wesleyan University (16-3) won a KCAC Conference Quarterfinal match 9-1 against Southwestern (10-9). Next up is fourth-seeded York College (13-6) Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. in Wichita. Sandite Ignacio Garcia is a freshman on the team.

Women’s Soccer

The Oral Roberts University soccer team coached by former Sandite Roger Bush ended the season with a 6-9-4 record following a 1-0 loss to South Dakota State in the Summit League Championship semifinals. Sandite Brooklyn Eardley started sixteen games this season, primarily as a defender.

Southwestern Christian University finished the year 6-9-1 following a 4-0 loss to Texas Wesleyan (13-5). Junior Megan Deshazo finished the season with 9 goals and 3 assists.

Northern Oklahoma College at Tonkawa ended its season with an 8-8-2 record last weekend after a 1-0 loss to Seminole State College (19-0-3) in the first round of the NJCAA Region 2 Tournament. Sophomore Emma Peak scored two goals and one assist on the season, with a brace against the University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain (2-12-3).

Oklahoma City University (9-9) was eliminated in the first round of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament with a 1-0 loss to Mid-American Christian University (12-4-1) to end the season. Sophomore goalie Abigail Banks saw action in two matches this season.

Missouri University of Science and Technology senior Kayla Foster ended the season with a bang, scoring both goals in a 2-1 upset at Southern Indiana (10-6-1). The Miners went 6-8-3 this year, and Foster scored 6 goals and 1 assist with 17 starts.

Men’s Cross Country / Track and Field

Colby Community College placed tenth at the NJCAA National Championships Saturday, and crowned a national champion. Ian Baustert is a sophomore on the team, but hasn’t seen action this year. He is also on the Track and Field team, which has not released its spring schedule yet.

The Oral Roberts University Track and Field team will kick off the season Friday, December 6th at the Bob Timmons Challenge in Lawrence, Kansas. Freshman Mitchell Mefford will throw discus and shot put for the Golden Eagles.

The Savannah College of Art and Design won its fifth-straight Sun Conference Championship Saturday. Freshman Jacob Smith placed 47th in the 8-kilometer run in 29:22.58. SCAD will return to action at the NAIA National Championships Friday, November 22nd in Vancouver.

The U.S. Air Force Academy placed fifth at the Mountain West Conference Championships. Freshman Aden Baughman did not see action. The Falcons will compete at the NCAA Mountain Regional Friday in Salt Lake City.

Women’s Cross Country / Track and Field

Grand Canyon University placed third at the Western Athletic Conference Championships, but junior Cheyenne Walden did not see action. The Antelopes will compete at the NCAA West Regional Friday in Colfax, Washington.

Southern Nazarene University placed 31st at the NCAA Division 2 Central Regional Championship, ending their season. Sara Abbet ran her last race at the Great American Conference Championship, in which SNU finished eighth. The Sandite was 118th in the run with a 5K time of 24:47.1.

Baseball

Seminole State College broke ground on a new athletic facility recently. The $7.25 million Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex will eventually be home to the Trojan Baseball team, featuring freshman Cal Watkins. Seminole Baseball will kick off Monday, February 3rd at Bacone College.

Freshman Kyler Copeland will make his college debut at the College of the Ozarks this spring. The Bobcats have yet to release their 2020 schedule.

Eastern Oklahoma State College will begin their 2020 season Tuesday, February 11th at Carl Albert State College. John Miller will be in his freshman season with the Mountaineers.

The Northern Oklahoma College Enid Jets will start the 2020 season Saturday, February 1st with a double-header against Northeast Community College. The Jets feature freshman Cale Savage.

The University of Central Oklahoma picked up two Sandite transfers for the coming season. Junior pitcher Jake Terry from the University of Oklahoma, and Jacob Bailey from Seminole State College. The Bronchos have yet to release their 2020 schedule.

Softball

Kennedy “Goose” Salyers is in her senior year at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The Savage Storm will kick off the season February 1st at Texas Women’s University.

Jacie Taber will kick off her freshman campaign at Missouri State University on Friday, February 7th against Mississippi State in the NFCA Lead-Off Classic at Clearwater, Florida.

Destanie Garrett will be a freshman at Southwestern Christian University this spring. The Eagles have yet to release their 2020 schedule.

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma has yet to release its 2020 schedule. Madelyn Blair will be a freshman this year.

Jessica Schuler is in her senior year at Northeastern State University, and Cameron Clemons is a freshman. The RiverHawks will begin their season Friday, February 7th at the Harding Invitational against Harding and Midwestern State.

Oklahoma State University went 7-0 in the fall season and junior Sydney Pennington was on fire offensively. The Cowgirls have yet to release their 2020 schedule.

Rogers State University will travel to Gulf Shores Alabama to start their season Friday, January 31st. Sandite All-State selection Kimi Presnell will be a freshman this year.

Freshman Elizabeth Luttrell will play for Cowley County Community College this spring. The Tigers have yet to release their 2020 schedule.

Former All-State Sandite Joely Rogers is entering her second season as the Coffeyville Community College pitching coach. The Red Ravens will take on North Arkansas College in a double-header Saturday, February 8th.

Men’s Tennis

Oklahoma Baptist University will feature freshman Logan Bateman this coming season. Bateman saw action in one pre-season tournament. The 2020 schedule has yet to be released.