The school year has officially started, and we are already into our first full week. But for our fall athletic teams, the work started long before students returned to the halls. These teams have been putting in the time all summer and began their seasons before the first school bell even rang.
All of our fall teams are off to strong starts, but one program in particular is making some serious noise early this season—and it deserves to be recognized: Claremore Volleyball.
Volleyball may not always receive the attention it deserves, but that needs to change. Right now, Claremore has a team that demands to be noticed.
Our varsity team is 16-1 and ranked No. 2 in the state. And the success doesn't stop there. Our JV team is 10-0 and recently captured the CZ Tournament championship. You might be thinking, "That's impressive, but who have they played?"
The answer is even more impressive: 10 of the varsity team's 16 wins have come against teams ranked in the Top 15 across multiple classes.
This kind of success doesn't happen by accident.
Coaches Jackson and Baughman have spent years building something special. They've strengthened their coaching staff by adding Coach Stephenson and Coach Crenshaw this year, along with Coach Dunlap last year. Together, this staff has worked tirelessly to establish a winning culture and build a program that can compete at the highest level.
For those who have been paying attention, this success has been years in the making. Jackson and Baughman are entering their fifth year together, and they've completely transformed the program. When they arrived, there was a foundation—but there wasn't much of a framework to build on. So they went to work.
Since their arrival, the number of girls participating in volleyball has doubled, and the wins have followed.
But as impressive as the coaching and program development have been, the players deserve the biggest credit. These girls are the ones doing the work, competing at a high level, and dominating the competition this season.
Now, they're looking to keep that momentum going, make their 4th consecutive state tournament appearance, and—this time—cement their names in Claremore volleyball history.
So don't wait until it's too late. Come out, show your support, and watch this special group of athletes compete.
The next big matchup is against Booker T. on August 27 at 6:00 p.m.
If you can't make that game, find another one that works for you. Click the link to view the Claremore volleyball schedule and come support this incredible program. Volleyball Schedule
Claremore Volleyball is making history. Come be a part of it